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arXiv · 0709.1182

Near-Infrared Variability in the 2MASS Calibration Fields: A Search for Planetary Transit Candidates

Peter Plavchan·M. Jura·J. Davy Kirkpatrick·Roc M. Cutri·S. C. Gallagher
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Abstract

The 2MASS photometric calibration observations cover ~6 square degrees on the sky in 35 "calibration fields" each sampled in nominal photometric conditions between 562 and 3692 times during the four years of the 2MASS mission. We compile a catalog of variables from the calibration observations to search for M dwarfs transited by extra-solar planets. We present our methods for measuring periodic and non-periodic flux variability. From 7554 sources with apparent Ks magnitudes between 5.6 and 16.1, we identify 247 variables, including extragalactic variables and 23 periodic variables. We have discovered three M dwarf eclipsing systems, including two candidates for transiting extrasolar planets.

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Peter Plavchan, M. Jura, J. Davy Kirkpatrick, Roc M. Cutri, S. C. Gallagher. 2007-09-08. Near-Infrared Variability in the 2MASS Calibration Fields: A Search for Planetary Transit Candidates. https://doi.org/10.1086/523644

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