The quest for planets around subdwarfs and white dwarfs from Kepler space telescope fields: Part I. Techniques and tests of the methods

Abstract

Context. In this study, we independently test the presence of an exoplanet around the binary KIC 9472174, which is composed of a red dwarf and a pulsating type B subdwarf. We also present the results of our search for Jupiter-mass objects orbiting near to the eclipsing binary KIC 7975824, which is composed of a white dwarf and type B subdwarf, and the pulsating white dwarf KIC 8626021. Aims. The goal is to test analytical techniques and prepare the ground for a larger search for possible substellar survivors on tight orbits around post-common envelope binaries and stars at the end of their evolution, that is, extended horizontal branch stars and white dwarfs. We, therefore, mainly focus on substellar bodies orbiting these stars within the range of the host's former red-giant or asymptotic-giant phase envelopes. Due to the methods we use, the quest is restricted to single-pulsating type B subdwarf and white dwarf stars and short-period eclipsing binaries containing a white dwarf or a subdwarf component. Methods. Our methods rely on the detection of exoplanetary signals hidden in photometric time series data from the Kepler space telescope, and they are based on natural clocks within the data itself, such as stellar pulsations and eclipse times. The light curves are analyzed using Fourier transforms, time-delays, and eclipse timing variations. Results. Based on the three objects studied in this paper, we demonstrate that these methods can be used to detect giant exoplanets orbiting around pulsating white dwarf or type B subdwarf stars as well as short-period binary systems, at distances which fall within the range of the former red-giant envelope of a single star or the common envelope of a binary. Using our analysis techniques, we reject the existence of a Jupiter-mass exoplanet around the binary KIC 9472174 at the distance and orbital period previously suggested in the literature. We also found that the eclipse timing variations observed in the binary might depend on the reduction and processing of the Kepler data. The other two objects analyzed in this work do not have Jupiter mass exoplanets orbiting within 0.7 -1.4 AU from them, or larger-mass objects on closer orbits (the given mass limits are minimum masses). Conclusions. Depending on the detection threshold of the time-delay method and the inclination of the exoplanet orbit toward the observer, data from the primary Kepler mission allows for the detection of bodies with a minimum of ∼ 1 Jupiter-mass orbiting these stars at ∼1 AU, while data from the K2 mission extends the detection of objects with a minimum mass of ∼ 7 Jupiter-mass on ∼ 0.1 AU orbits. The exoplanet mass and orbital distance limits depend on the length of the available photometric time series.