New observable for gravitational lensing effects during transits

Abstract

We investigate gravitational lensing effects of an extrasolar planet transiting its host star. We focus on the 'rising spikes' of the light curve just before and after the transit, which is a peculiar feature of the gravitational lensing, and find that it could be a novel observable for determining physical parameters. Detectability of such an effect is also discussed. © 2010 The Authors Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society © 2010 RAS.