Using Python programs to determine the secondary eclipse depth of Kepler-12 b and its geometric albedo

Abstract

The discovery of Hot Jupiter in 1995 marks the beginning of a new era in Astrophysics, and deep space observatory provides valuable data that helps us understand the evolution of the universe and extrasolar systems. This paper reports on the secondary eclipse depth and the geometric albedo of a hot Jupiter Kepler-12 b with a planet radius of 1.6950.03R_J, and the use of Python programs helps derive the results. The Python programs also help draw the figures in this work with data from Spitzer IRAC, an infrared camera designed to detect near- and mid-infrared light. The conclusion drawn from the work is that the orbital period is 4.401 days and the geometric albedo A_g= 0.17_(-0.08)^(+0.08) . This work points out that the relatively low geometric albedo of Kepler-12b could imply that Kepler-12 b is a pM-class planet. The distinguishing factor between a hot Jupiter of pL-class and one of pM-class is the variation in their spectra and the temperature difference between their day and night sides.