A statistical model for the relation between exoplanets and their host stars

Abstract

A general model is proposed to explain the relation between the extrasolar planets (or exoplanets) detected until June 2008 and the main characteristics of their host stars through statistical techniques. The main goal is to establish a mathematical relation among the set of variables which better describe the physical characteristics of the host star and the planet itself. The host star is characterized by its distance, age, effective temperature, mass, metallicity, radius and magnitude. The exoplanet is described through its physical parameters (radius and mass) and its orbital parameters (distance, period, eccentricity, inclination and major semiaxis). As a first approach we consider that only the mass of the exoplanet is being determined by the physical properties of its host star. The proposed model is then validated through statistical analysis. Finally we discuss the categorical behavior of the dependent variable through binary models.