Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 October 2007
Existing algorithms of analysis of radial velocity time series are improved for the purposes of extrasolar planets detection and characterizing. Three important effects are considered: the poorly known radial velocity jitter, periodic systematic errors, and statistical bias due to non-linearity of models. Mathematical tools to account for these effects are developed and applied to a number of real planetary systems. In particular, it is shown that two outer planets of HD37124 are likely trapped in the 2/1 resonance. The dwarf star GJ876 may host an extra, Neptune-mass, planet which is in resonance with two giant planets in this system.