Photometry is the new Spectroscopy: Results from the Kepler Mission

The Kepler mission offers a special opportunity to study the nature of stars and their companions with high-precision, high-duty-cycle photometry. I will present an update on efforts to produce uniform state-of-the-art lightcurve modeling for Kepler's list of planetary candidates using tested and validated algorithms. This process involves modeling planetary transits, phase curves and orbits. These models use Kepler photometry and groundbased follow-up observations to determine bulk planetary parameters such as the radius and mass. More importantly, we will determine posterior probability distributions for the fitted parameters by employing a Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm. By calculating detailed models of the Kepler targets, my work will measure with uncertainties: orbital periods, planet radii, inclinations, reflection/emission from the planet, the amplitude of planet-star gravitational interactions and transit timing variations. When sufficient groundbased radial velocities or asteroseismic analysis are available one can model orbital solutions and planetary densities. I will also discuss the importance of modeling multi-planet, transiting systems by fitting for each planet-candidate simultaneously.

The remarkable yield of planet-candidates discovered by Kepler points towards a unique and special opportunity where a micro/nano-satellite can quickly and efficiently search the brightest stars in the sky for planetary companions. I will demonstrate how the BRITE mission will provide an opportunity to search for transiting planets around naked eye stars.