Mauna Kea High Speed Photometry of Transits of the Extrasolar Planet HD 209458B

Abstract

Using high-speed photometry techniques, three transits of the extrasolar planet across the disk of the star HD 209458 have been observed. The combination of a WET-style 3-channel photometer and an excellent site yielded millimagnitude photometric precision. The various techniques used to reduce the raw data obtained under different observing conditions are presented along with modelling of the transit light curves. Finally, a summary of what we have learned about this unique extrasolar planet is provided.

Keywords

• extrasolar planets
• high-speed precision photometry