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Description
We present the discovery of KELT-1b, the first transiting low-mass companion from the wide-field Kilodegree Extremely Little Telescope-North (KELT-North) transit survey. A joint analysis of the spectroscopic, radial velocity, and photometric data indicates that the V=10.7 primary is a mildly evolved mid-F star with T_eff_=6516+/-49K, logg=4.228^+0.014^_-0.021_, and [Fe/H]=0.052+/-0.079, with an inferred mass M_*_=1.335+/-0.063M_{sun}_ and radius R_*_=1.471^+0.045^_-0.035_R_{sun}_. The companion is a low-mass brown dwarf or a super-massive planet with mass M_P_=27.38+/-0.93M_Jup_ and radius R_P_=1.116^+0.038^_-0.029_R_Jup_. The companion is on a very short (~29 hr) period circular orbit, with an ephemeris T_c_ (BJD_TDB_)=2455909.29280+/-0.00023 and P=1.217501+/-0.000018 days. KELT-1b receives a large amount of stellar insolation, resulting in an estimated equilibrium temperature assuming zero albedo and perfect redistribution of T_eq_=2423^+34^_-27_K. Comparison with standard evolutionary models suggests that the radius of KELT-1b is likely to be significantly inflated. Adaptive optics imaging reveals a candidate stellar companion to KELT-1 with a separation of 588+/-1mas, which is consistent with an M dwarf if it is at the same distance as the primary. Rossiter-McLaughlin measurements during transit imply a projected spin-orbit alignment angle {lambda}=2+/-16deg, consistent with a zero obliquity for KELT-1. Finally, the vsinI_*_=56+/-2km/s of the primary is consistent at ~2{sigma} with tidal synchronization. Given the extreme parameters of the KELT-1 system, we expect it to provide an important testbed for theories of the emplacement and evolution of short-period companions, as well as theories of tidal dissipation and irradiated brown dwarf atmospheres.
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