A Search for Exoplanets in Short-Period Eclipsing Binary Star Systems (Abstract)

Volume 43 number 2 (2015)

Ronald Kaitchuck

Ball State University Department of Physics and Astronomy, Muncie, IN 47306; rkaitchu@bsu.edu

Garrison Turner

Big Sandy Community and Technical College, Prestonsburg, KY 41653; gturner0040@kctcs.edu

Joseph Childers

Address correspondence to R. Kaitchuck, Ball State University Department of Physics and Astronomy, Muncie, IN 47306; rkaitchu@bsu.edu

Abstract

(Abstract only) In recent years over 1,900 exoplanets have been discovered. Far fewer have been found in binary star systems. Exoplanets can either orbit both stars at a very great distance (p-type) or they can orbit one star of a widely separated stellar pair (s-type). For the s-type situation, how close can the stars be before planetary formation and stability are no longer possible? Can exoplanets be found in short period (< 20 days) binaries? The existence or non-existence of exoplanets can place constraints on the theory of both planetary and binary star formation. An on-going program to detect planetary transits in close binary star systems will be discussed. The stellar selection criteria and the unique problems and advantages of searching for exoplanets in eclipsing binary stars will be presented.