Large Binocular Telescope view of the atmosphere of GJ1214b

V. Nascimbeni; M. Mallonn; G. Scandariato; I. Pagano; G. Piotto; G. Micela; S. Messina; G. Leto; K. G. Strassmeier; S. Bisogni; R. Speziali

doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201425350

arXiv · 1505.01488

Large Binocular Telescope view of the atmosphere of GJ1214b

V. Nascimbeni·M. Mallonn·G. Scandariato·I. Pagano·G. Piotto·G. Micela·S. Messina·G. Leto·K. G. Strassmeier·S. Bisogni·R. Speziali

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Abstract

The atmospheric composition and vertical structure of the super-Earth GJ1214b has been a subject of debate since its discovery in 2009. Recent studies have indicated that high-altitude clouds might mask the lower layers. However, some data points that were gathered at different times and facilities do not fit this picture, probably because of a combination of stellar activity and systematic errors. We observed two transits of GJ1214b with the Large Binocular Camera, the dual-channel camera at the Large Binocular Telescope. For the first time, we simultaneously measured the relative planetary radius $k=R_\mathrm{p}/R_\star$ at blue and red optical wavelengths ($B+R$), thus constraining the Rayleigh scattering on GJ1214b after correcting for stellar activity effects. To the same purpose, a long-term photometric follow-up of the host star was carried out with WiFSIP at STELLA, revealing a rotational period that is significantly longer than previously reported. Our new unbiased estimates of $k$ yield a flat transmission spectrum extending to shorter wavelengths, thus confirming the cloudy atmosphere scenario for GJ1214b.

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V. Nascimbeni, M. Mallonn, G. Scandariato, I. Pagano, G. Piotto, G. Micela, S. Messina, G. Leto, K. G. Strassmeier, S. Bisogni, R. Speziali. 2015-05-06. Large Binocular Telescope view of the atmosphere of GJ1214b. https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361%2F201425350

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