Analysis of 1SWASP J140747.93-394542.6 eclipse fine-structure: Hints of exomoons

Abstract

A recently discovered V = 12.3 mag K5 pre-main-sequence star in the SuperWASP (Super Wide Angle Search for Planets) data base shows a peculiar light curve with a highly structured eclipse pattern covering a timespan of at least 54 d with maximum dimming of at least 3.3mag. The central eclipse is surrounded by two 1 mag eclipses at ±12 and ±26 d. The authors speculate that the star is eclipsed by a substellar companion with an extended and highly structured ring system. To investigate the nightly light-curve structure and to confirm the multiple-ring hypothesis, we have carried out a calibrated reduction of the SuperWASP data, removing both systematic errors and periodic stellar variability. We count at least 24 inflection points on ingress and 16 on egress, consistent with the presence of at least 24 rings in this disc. By measuring the light-curve slope, we find implied speeds for the eclipsing object that are incompatible with a closed Kepler orbit with P = 2.3 yr. We propose several scenarios that could give rise to such light-curve slopes and find that azimuthal ring structure (analogous to 'spokes' seen in Saturn's rings) can account for the observed light curve. The highly structured ring system also implies the presence of exomoons orbiting the secondary companion. © 2014 The Authors Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Royal Astronomical Society.