Binary star systems are common, and many binaries host exoplanets. Although binaries are known to impact protoplanetary disks (and thus, potentially, planet formation), the impact of multiplicity on mature planet populations has remained unclear. In addition to potential physical impacts of multiplicity on populations of planets in binaries, planets in binaries are also pernicious contaminants of single star samples, impacting demographic calculations like occurrence rates of small planets around Sun-like stars. In this talk I will address both of these aspects of planets in multiples using a survey of transiting exoplanets around binary star systems assembled using Keck/NIRC2 and HET/LRS2. First, I will discuss the impact of multiplicity on single star samples, where we found that planets in binaries may be significant contaminants to samples of small planets. Then, I will discuss more recent work exploring the radius distribution of small planets in binaries, where we found that a nearby secondary star appears to have a profound impact on planet radii. 

Host: Rachel Fernandes

Seminar held in 538 Davey or please email CEHW-SEMINAR-QUESTIONS@lists.psu.edu to attend virtually.