Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Upon analyzing TESS data, we searched through 4 months of photometric observations of Proxima Centauri, focusing on Proxima b ’s 1.5% geometric transit probability. Our primary attention was directed towards four key lightcurves, each with 120-second exposures, as processed by SPOC. To minimize uncertainties from instrumental noise and stellar flares, we implemented some advanced data processing techniques. Searching for transits, we zeroed in on times corresponding to integral multiples of Proxima Centauri b's known 11.2-day period. To evaluate our sensitivity, we injected synthetic transits and found we could confidently detect those exceeding 3 millimagnitudes, which resembles a planet of radius around 5500 km. However, our analysis failed to confirm any apparent transits for Proxima Centauri b, and data for d and c were inconclusive due to uncertainties in their periods and transit times.Using the Box Least Squares method, we explored shorter periods, noting an elevated transit likelihood within 0-4 days, suggested by peaks in the transit probability graph. This hints at a possible low-period planet. In conclusion, while we found no definitive evidence of transits, data limitations prevent us from ruling out existence of transits of magnitude smaller than 3 milimagnitudes entirely.
Source: Theoretical and Natural Science
Authors: Xinyao Liu, Xinqing Hao, Yuzhu Sun
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4410416954