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      A box-fitting algorithm in the search for periodic transits

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          Abstract

          We study the statistical characteristics of a box-fitting algorithm to analyze stellar photometric time series in the search for periodic transits by extrasolar planets. The algorithm searches for signals characterized by a periodic alternation between two discrete levels, with much less time spent at the lower level. We present numerical as well as analytical results to predict the possible detection significance at various signal parameters. It is shown that the crucial parameter is the effective signal-to-noise ratio -- the expected depth of the transit divided by the standard deviation of the measured photometric average within the transit. When this parameter exceeds the value of 6 we can expect a significant detection of the transit. We show that the box-fitting algorithm performs better than other methods available in the astronomical literature, especially for low signal-to-noise ratios.

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          Journal
          2002-06-06
          Article
          10.1051/0004-6361:20020802
          astro-ph/0206099
          b2caae12-dcf3-4cf8-8204-e1f9e5c7c631
          History
          Custom metadata
          9 pages, 12 figures and 1 table, to appear in Astronomy & Astrophysics
          astro-ph

          General astrophysics
          General astrophysics

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