Spin-orbit misalignement for the transiting planet HD 80606b

A global Markov Chain Monte Carlo analysis of published eclipse photometry and radial velocities is presented for the transiting planet HD 80606b. Despite the lack of a complete transit light curve, the size of the planet is measured with a good level of precision (R_p = 1.04 +0.05-0.09 R_Jup), while the orbital parameters are refined. This global analysis reveals that the orbital axis of the planet is significatively inclined relative to the spin axis of the host star (Beta = -59 +18-28 deg), providing a compelling evidence that HD 80606b owes its peculiar orbit to the Kozai migration mechanism.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure. Submitted to MNRA

Indian Microfinance Sector: A Case Study

In developing areas of the world with very little economic structure, many activities are not monetized. In other words, money is not used to carry out these tasks because the people in these areas do not have the expendable funds required. In order to combat this problem, micro financing has become increasingly more apparent in these areas of distress. Microfinance is an economic development strategy that allows for those in need to borrow actual money in order to start a business, go to school, or even gain access to everyday living requirements. Microfinance has made tremendous strides over the years, but still faces several obstacles including regulation, loan strategies, and loan consumption. This study will attempt to analyze the microfinance industry in India by challenging certain aspects of its use, as well as offer suggestions that could have beneficial effects upon the industry

Emergent Exoplanet Flux: Review of the Spitzer Results

Observations using the Spitzer Space Telescope provided the first detections of photons from extrasolar planets. Spitzer observations are allowing us to infer the temperature structure, composition, and dynamics of exoplanet atmospheres. The Spitzer studies extend from many hot Jupiters, to the hot Neptune orbiting GJ436. Here I review the current status of Spitzer secondary eclipse observations, and summarize the results from the viewpoint of what is robust, what needs more work, and what the observations are telling us about the physical nature of exoplanet atmospheres.Comment: 11 pages, 8 figures, to appear in Proceedings of IAU Symposium 25

On the influence of blends on the potential of ground-based transit surveys

Transit surveys have to observe many stars all at once in order to compensate for the rarity of the searched events. Such surveys, especially the ones observing a deep field of view and/or broadening their stellar images, have to deal with a relatively high level of crowding. This crowding could lead to a reduction of the number of detectable transits, and the estimation of the potential of such surveys without taking into account the influence of blends could give overoptimistic results. We have developed a code which allows to estimate the extent by which such a survey is affected by the crowding of the field of view. Our results show that the influence of blends is important only for severe levels of crowding and is in general much less crucial than the influence of red noise.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures; to be published in Transiting Extrasolar Planets Workshop, Eds: Cristina Afonso, David Weldrake & Thomas Hennin

Un révélateur des transformations spatiales: les migrations alternantes

Sous le terme "migrations alternante" se cache une réalité de la vie quotidienne, puisque ces migrations recensent les déplacements journaliers entre le domicile et le lieu de travail. Ces flux traduisent la force d'attraction des villes et sa portée sur les campagnes environnantes et d'autant plus d'ailleurs qu'ils sont en général générateurs de flux complémentaires : on comprend fort bien qu'un homme ou une femme résidant dans une périphérie rurale et travaillant en ville aura tendance à y scolariser ses enfants, à y faire ses achats, à en consommer les loisirs. Importants en eux-mêmes, ces flux de migrants alternants contribuent à l'établissement d'un dense réseau relationnel entre une ville et sa périphérie. Ce phénomène a d'ailleurs pris une telle ampleur dans les quinze dernières années qu'il est à l'origine d'un néologisme, celui de péri-urbanisatio