Defining and cataloging exoplanets: the exoplanet.eu database

J. Schneider (1) , C. Dedieu (2) , P. Le Sidaner (2) , R. Savalle (2) , I. Zolotukhin (2)

1 LUTH (UMR_8102) - Laboratoire Univers et Théories
2 Observatoire de Paris

We describe an online database for extrasolar planetary-mass candidates, which is updated regularly as new data are available. We first discuss criteria for inclusion of objects in the catalog: "definition" of a planet and several aspects of the confidence level of planet candidates. We are led to point out the contradiction between the sharpness of criteria for belonging to a catalog and the fuzziness of the confidence level for an object to be a planet. We then describe the different tables of extrasolar planetary systems, including unconfirmed candidates (which will ultimately be confirmed, or not, by direct imaging). It also provides online tools: histograms of planet and host star data, cross-correlations between these parameters, and some Virtual Observatory services. Future evolutions of the database are presented.

Mots clés: catalogs; virtual observatory tools; planetary systems; planets and satellites: detection; planets and satellites: fundamental parameters

Domaines: Planète et Univers [physics]; Astrophysique [astro-ph]

J. Schneider, C. Dedieu, P. Le Sidaner, R. Savalle, I. Zolotukhin. Defining and cataloging exoplanets: the exoplanet.eu database. Astronomy and Astrophysics - A&A, 2011, 532, ⟨10.1051/0004-6361/201116713⟩. ⟨insu-03624333⟩