Wavelet-based filter methods to detect small transiting planets in stellar light curves

Abstract: Strong variations of any kind and causes within a stellar light curve may prohibit the detection of transits, particularly of faint or shallow transits caused by small planets passing in front of the stellar disk. The success of future space telescopes with the goal for finding small planets will be based on proper filtering, analysis and detection of transits in perturbed stellar light curves. The wavelet-based filter methods VARLET and PHALET, developed by RIU-PF, in combination with the transit detection software package EXOTRANS allow the extraction of (i) strong stellar variations, (ii) instrument caused spikes and singularities within a stellar light curve, (iii) already detected planetary or stellar binary transits in order to be able to search for further planets or planets about binary stars. Once the light curve is filtered, EXOTRANS is able to search efficiently, effectively and precisely for transits, in particular for faint transits.