Direct Measurement of the Radius and Density of the Transiting Exoplanet HD 189733b with the CHARA Array

Authors:
  • EBEllyn K. Baines
    Ellyn K. Baines
  • TBTheo A. Ten Brummelaar
    Theo A. Ten Brummelaar
  • HMHarold A. McAlister
    Harold A. McAlister
  • MSMark Swain
    Mark Swain
  • NTNils H. Turner
    Nils H. Turner
  • LSLaszlo Sturmann
    Laszlo Sturmann
  • JSJudit Sturmann
    Judit Sturmann
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Abstract
We have measured the angular diameter of the transiting extrasolar planet host star HD 189733 using the CHARA O/IR interferometric array. Combining our new angular diameter of 0.377+/-0.024 mas with the Hipparcos parallax leads to a linear radius for the host star of 0.779+/-0.052 Rsol and a radius for the planet of 1.19+/-0.08 RJup. Adopting the mass of the planet as derived by its discoverers, we derive a mean density of the planet of 0.91+/-0.18 g cm-3. This is the first determination of the diameter of an extrasolar planet through purely direct means.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figures, to be published in Astrophysical Journal Letter
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