Stellar Spin-Orbit Misalignment in Multiplanet System Around Active Stars (Both hot and cool stars)

• Applicant: Mahmoudreza Oshagh, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Astrophysics and Astronomy
• Term: from 2015 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 273970133

Understanding the orbital architecture of extra-solar planetary systems is the main goal of my proposed project, the result of which will provide strong constrains on the planetary formation and evolution models. In this project, first I aim to expand the sample of known spin-orbit angle measurements (one of the most important parameter of the planetary orbital architecture) by determining accurately the spin-orbit angle of transiting multi-planet systems around active stars, to do this I will use both the photometric (spot-occultation) and the spectroscopic (Rossiter-McLaughlin effect) techniques. Furthermore, I will probe the impact of stellar activity on the spin-orbit angle estimation through Rossiter-McLaughlin effect observations. Finally, I will perform simultaneous Rossiter-McLaughlin effect and photometric transit observations of a transiting planet orbiting active stars. Combining those observations will allow to break degeneracies on determination of the stellar active region parameters, and thus I will be able to estimate precisely actual spin-orbit angle.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants