Transiting planet candidates in HATNet field 205

HAT-P-8b has a somewhat inflated radius for its mass, and a somewhat large mass for its period. The host star is a solar-metallicity F dwarf, with mass M_*_=1.28+/-0.04M_{sun}_ and R_*_=1.58^+0.08^_-0.06R_{sun}_.

HAT-P-8b was initially identified as one of the 32 transiting-planet candidates in HATNet field G205. We describe the procedures that we have used to follow up these candidates with spectroscopic and photometric observations, and we present a status report on our interpretation for 28 of the candidates. Eight are eclipsing binaries with orbital solutions whose periods are consistent with their photometric ephemerides; two of these spectroscopic orbits are single-lined and six are double-lined.