Multiwavelength Photometry Derived from Monochromatic Kepler Data

Abstract

Abstract The Kepler mission has provided a wealth of data, revealing new insights in time-domain astronomy. However, Kepler’s single bandpass has limited studies to a single wavelength. In this work we build a data-driven, pixel-level model for the pixel response function (PRF) of Kepler targets, modeling the image data from the spacecraft. Our model is sufficiently flexible to capture known detector effects, such as nonlinearity, intrapixel sensitivity variations, and focus change. In theory, the shape of the Kepler PRF should also be weakly wavelength-dependent, due to optical chromatic aberration and a wavelength-dependent detector response functions. We are able to identify these predicted changes in shape of the PRF using the residuals between Kepler data and our model. In this work, we show that these PRF changes correspond to wavelength variability in Kepler targets using a small sample of eclipsing binaries. Using our model, we demonstrate that pixel-level light curves of eclipsing binaries show variable eclipse depths, ellipsoidal modulation, and limb darkening. These changes at the pixel level are consistent with multiwavelength photometry. Our work suggests that each pixel in the Kepler data of a single target has a different effective wavelength, ranging from ≈550 to 750 nm. In this proof of concept, we demonstrate our model, and discuss possible uses for the wavelength-dependent PRF of Kepler. These uses include characterizing variable systems, and vetting exoplanet discoveries at the pixel level. The chromatic PRF of Kepler is due to weak wavelength dependence in the optical systems and detector of the telescope, and similar chromatic PRFs are expected in other similar telescopes, notably the NASA TESS telescope.