ORCID Profile
0000-0003-3654-1602
Current Organisation
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 11-08-2017
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 03-2021
Abstract: The light curve of KIC 8462852, aka Boyajian’s Star, undergoes deep dips the origin of which remains unclear. A faint star ≈2″ to the east was discovered in Keck/NIRC2 imaging in Boyajian et al., but its status as a binary, and possible contribution to the observed variability, was unclear. Here, we use three epochs of Keck/NIRC2 imaging, spanning 5 yr, in JHK near-infrared bands to obtain 1 mas precision astrometry. We show that the two objects exhibit common proper motion, measure a relative velocity of μ = 0.14 ± 0.44 mas yr −1 ( μ = 0.30 ± 0.93 km s −1 ) and conclude that they are a binary pair at 880 ± 10 au projected separation. There is marginal detection of possible orbital motion, but our astrometry is insufficient to characterize the orbit. We show that two other point sources are not associated with KIC 8462852. We recommend that attempts to model KIC 8462852 A’s light curve should revisit the possibility that the bound stellar companion may play a role in causing the irregular brightness variations, for ex le, through disruption of the orbits of bodies around the primary due to long-term orbital evolution of the binary orbit.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 07-12-2017
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 14-08-2020
Abstract: We present the discoveries of KELT-25 b (TIC 65412605, TOI-626.01) and KELT-26 b (TIC 160708862, TOI-1337.01), two transiting companions orbiting relatively bright, early A stars. The transit signals were initially detected by the KELT survey and subsequently confirmed by Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) photometry. KELT-25 b is on a 4.40 day orbit around the V = 9.66 star CD-24 5016 ( K, M ⋆ = M ⊙ ), while KELT-26 b is on a 3.34 day orbit around the V = 9.95 star HD 134004 ( = K, M ⋆ = M ⊙ ), which is likely an Am star. We have confirmed the substellar nature of both companions through detailed characterization of each system using ground-based and TESS photometry, radial velocity measurements, Doppler tomography, and high-resolution imaging. For KELT-25, we determine a companion radius of R P = R J and a 3 σ upper limit on the companion’s mass of ∼64 M J . For KELT-26 b, we infer a planetary mass and radius of M P = and R P = R J . From Doppler tomographic observations, we find KELT-26 b to reside in a highly misaligned orbit. This conclusion is weakly corroborated by a subtle asymmetry in the transit light curve from the TESS data. KELT-25 b appears to be in a well-aligned, prograde orbit, and the system is likely a member of the cluster Theia 449.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 17-03-2017
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 26-08-2020
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 09-03-2022
Abstract: Mature super-Earths and sub-Neptunes are predicted to be ≃ Jovian radius when younger than 10 Myr. Thus, we expect to find 5–15 R ⊕ planets around young stars even if their older counterparts harbor none. We report the discovery and validation of TOI 1227b, a 0.85 ± 0.05 R J (9.5 R ⊕ ) planet transiting a very-low-mass star (0.170 ± 0.015 M ⊙ ) every 27.4 days. TOI 1227's kinematics and strong lithium absorption confirm that it is a member of a previously discovered subgroup in the Lower Centaurus Crux OB association, which we designate the Musca group. We derive an age of 11 ± 2 Myr for Musca, based on lithium, rotation, and the color–magnitude diagram of Musca members. The TESS data and ground-based follow-up show a deep (2.5%) transit. We use multiwavelength transit observations and radial velocities from the IGRINS spectrograph to validate the signal as planetary in nature, and we obtain an upper limit on the planet mass of ≃0.5 M J . Because such large planets are exceptionally rare around mature low-mass stars, we suggest that TOI 1227b is still contracting and will eventually turn into one of the more common R ⊕ planets.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 09-08-2019
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 31-03-2020
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 22-01-2016
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 02-01-2020
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 07-12-2022
Abstract: We validate the presence of a two-planet system orbiting the 0.15–1.4 Gyr K4 dwarf TOI 560 (HD 73583). The system consists of an inner moderately eccentric transiting mini-Neptune (TOI 560 b, P = 6.3980661 − 0.0000097 + 0.0000095 days, e = 0.294 − 0.062 + 0.13 , M = 0.94 − 0.23 + 0.31 M Nep ) initially discovered in the Sector 8 Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission observations, and a transiting mini-Neptune (TOI 560 c, P = 18.8805 − 0.0011 + 0.0024 days, M = 1.32 − 0.32 + 0.29 M Nep ) discovered in the Sector 34 observations, in a rare near-1:3 orbital resonance. We utilize photometric data from TESS Spitzer, and ground-based follow-up observations to confirm the ephemerides and period of the transiting planets, vet false-positive scenarios, and detect the photoeccentric effect for TOI 560 b. We obtain follow-up spectroscopy and corresponding precise radial velocities (RVs) with the iSHELL spectrograph at the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility and the HIRES Spectrograph at Keck Observatory to validate the planetary nature of these signals, which we combine with published Planet Finder Spectrograph RVs from the Magellan Observatory. We detect the masses of both planets at σ significance. We apply a Gaussian process (GP) model to the TESS light curves to place priors on a chromatic RV GP model to constrain the stellar activity of the TOI 560 host star, and confirm a strong wavelength dependence for the stellar activity demonstrating the ability of near-IR RVs to mitigate stellar activity for young K dwarfs. TOI 560 is a nearby moderately young multiplanet system with two planets suitable for atmospheric characterization with the James Webb Space Telescope and other upcoming missions. In particular, it will undergo six transit pairs separated by hr before 2027 June.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 07-05-2020
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 18-04-2018
DOI: 10.1093/MNRAS/STY898
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 22-01-2021
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 28-12-2011
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 23-12-2020
Abstract: We report the period, eccentricity, and mass determination for the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) single-transit event candidate TOI-222, which displayed a single 3000 ppm transit in the TESS 2-min cadence data from Sector 2. We determine the orbital period via radial velocity measurements (P = 33.9 d), which allowed for ground-based photometric detection of two subsequent transits. Our data show that the companion to TOI-222 is a low-mass star, with a radius of $0.18_{-0.10}^{+0.39}$ R⊙ and a mass of 0.23 ± 0.01 M⊙. This discovery showcases the ability to efficiently discover long-period systems from TESS single-transit events using a combination of radial velocity monitoring coupled with high-precision ground-based photometry.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 30-09-2020
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 19-11-2019
Abstract: We report the discovery of the 1.008-d, ultrashort period (USP) super-Earth HD 213885b (TOI-141b) orbiting the bright (V = 7.9) star HD 213885 (TOI-141, TIC 403224672), detected using photometry from the recently launched TESS mission. Using FEROS, HARPS, and CORALIE radial velocities, we measure a precise mass of 8.8 ± 0.6 M⊕ for this 1.74 ± 0.05 R⊕ exoplanet, which provides enough information to constrain its bulk composition – similar to Earth’s but enriched in iron. The radius, mass, and stellar irradiation of HD 213885b are, given our data, very similar to 55 Cancri e, making this exoplanet a good target to perform comparative exoplanetology of short period, highly irradiated super-Earths. Our precise radial velocities reveal an additional 4.78-d signal which we interpret as arising from a second, non-transiting planet in the system, HD 213885c, whose minimum mass of 19.9 ± 1.4 M⊕ makes it consistent with being a Neptune-mass exoplanet. The HD 213885 system is very interesting from the perspective of future atmospheric characterization, being the second brightest star to host an USP transiting super-Earth (with the brightest star being, in fact, 55 Cancri). Prospects for characterization with present and future observatories are discussed.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 24-06-2015
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 14-09-2020
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 25-01-2021
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 27-07-2022
Abstract: Hot Jupiters—short-period giant planets—were the first extrasolar planets to be discovered, but many questions about their origin remain. NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), an all-sky search for transiting planets, presents an opportunity to address these questions by constructing a uniform s le of hot Jupiters for demographic study through new detections and unifying the work of previous ground-based transit surveys. As the first results of an effort to build this large s le of planets, we report here the discovery of 10 new hot Jupiters (TOI-2193A b, TOI-2207b, TOI-2236b, TOI-2421b, TOI-2567b, TOI-2570b, TOI-3331b, TOI-3540A b, TOI-3693b, TOI-4137b). All of the planets were identified as planet candidates based on periodic flux dips observed by TESS, and were subsequently confirmed using ground-based time-series photometry, high-angular-resolution imaging, and high-resolution spectroscopy coordinated with the TESS Follow-up Observing Program. The 10 newly discovered planets orbit relatively bright F and G stars ( G 12.5, T eff between 4800 and 6200 K). The planets’ orbital periods range from 2 to 10 days, and their masses range from 0.2 to 2.2 Jupiter masses. TOI-2421b is notable for being a Saturn-mass planet and TOI-2567b for being a “sub-Saturn,” with masses of 0.322 ± 0.073 and 0.195 ± 0.030 Jupiter masses, respectively. We also measured a detectably eccentric orbit ( e = 0.17 ± 0.05) for TOI-2207b, a planet on an 8 day orbit, while placing an upper limit of e 0.052 for TOI-3693b, which has a 9 day orbital period. The 10 planets described here represent an important step toward using TESS to create a large and statistically useful s le of hot Jupiters.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 02-08-2021
Abstract: We report the discovery and characterization of a transiting warm sub-Neptune planet around the nearby bright (V = 8.75 mag, K = 7.15 mag) solar twin HD 183579, delivered by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). The host star is located 56.8 ± 0.1 pc away with a radius of R* = 0.97 ± 0.02 R⊙ and a mass of M* = 1.03 ± 0.05 M⊙. We confirm the planetary nature by combining space and ground-based photometry, spectroscopy, and imaging. We find that HD 183579b (TOI-1055b) has a radius of Rp = 3.53 ± 0.13 R⊕ on a 17.47 d orbit with a mass of Mp = 11.2 ± 5.4 M⊕ (3σ mass upper limit of 27.4 M⊕). HD 183579b is the fifth brightest known sub-Neptune planet system in the sky, making it an excellent target for future studies of the interior structure and atmospheric properties. By performing a line-by-line differential analysis using the high-resolution and signal-to-noise ratio HARPS spectra, we find that HD 183579 joins the typical solar twin s le, without a statistically significant refractory element depletion.
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 30-06-2023
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/202346406
Abstract: While the s le of confirmed exoplanets continues to grow, the population of transiting exoplanets around early-type stars is still limited. These planets allow us to investigate the planet properties and formation pathways over a wide range of stellar masses and study the impact of high irradiation on hot Jupiters orbiting such stars. We report the discovery of TOI-615b, TOI-622b, and TOI-2641b, three Saturn-mass planets transiting main sequence, F-type stars. The planets were identified by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) and confirmed with complementary ground-based and radial velocity observations. TOI-615b is a highly irradiated (~1277 F ⊕ ) and bloated Saturn-mass planet (1.69 −0.06 +0.05 R Jup and 0.43 −0.08 +0.09 M Jup ) in a 4.66 day orbit transiting a 6850 K star. TOI-622b has a radius of 0.82 −0.03 +0.03 R Jup and a mass of 0.30 −0.08 +0.07 M Jup in a 6.40 day orbit. Despite its high insolation flux (~600 F ⊕ ), TOI-622b does not show any evidence of radius inflation. TOI-2641b is a 0.39 −0.04 +0.02 M Jup planet in a 4.88 day orbit with a grazing transit (b = 1.04 −0.06 +0.05 ) that results in a poorly constrained radius of 1.61 −0.64 +0.46 R Jup . Additionally, TOI-615b is considered attractive for atmospheric studies via transmission spectroscopy with ground-based spectrographs and JWST. Future atmospheric and spin-orbit alignment observations are essential since they can provide information on the atmospheric composition, formation, and migration of exoplanets across various stellar types.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 03-02-2023
Abstract: We report the discovery and characterization of a nearby (∼85 pc), older (27 ± 3 Myr), distributed stellar population near Lower Centaurus Crux (LCC), initially identified by searching for stars comoving with a candidate transiting planet from TESS (HD 109833 TOI 1097). We determine the association membership using Gaia kinematics, color–magnitude information, and rotation periods of candidate members. We measure its age using isochrones, gyrochronology, and Li depletion. While the association is near known populations of LCC, we find that it is older than any previously found LCC subgroup (10–16 Myr), and distinct in both position and velocity. In addition to the candidate planets around HD 109833, the association contains four directly imaged planetary-mass companions around three stars, YSES-1, YSES-2, and HD 95086, all of which were previously assigned membership in the younger LCC. Using the Notch pipeline, we identify a second candidate transiting planet around HD 109833. We use a suite of ground-based follow-up observations to validate the two transit signals as planetary in nature. HD 109833 b and c join the small but growing population of Myr transiting planets from TESS. HD 109833 has a rotation period and Li abundance indicative of a young age (≲100 Myr), but a position and velocity on the outskirts of the new population, lower Li levels than similar members, and a color–magnitude diagram position below model predictions for 27 Myr. So, we cannot reject the possibility that HD 109833 is a young field star coincidentally nearby the population.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 12-2011
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 20-08-2018
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 13-05-2020
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 07-2020
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/202037941
Abstract: We report the confirmation and mass determination of three hot Jupiters discovered by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission: HIP 65Ab (TOI-129, TIC-201248411) is an ultra-short-period Jupiter orbiting a bright ( V = 11.1 mag) K4-dwarf every 0.98 days. It is a massive 3.213 ± 0.078 M J planet in a grazing transit configuration with an impact parameter of b = 1.17 −0.08 +0.10 . As a result the radius is poorly constrained, 2.03 −0.49 +0.61 R J . The planet’s distance to its host star is less than twice the separation at which it would be destroyed by Roche lobe overflow. It is expected to spiral into HIP 65A on a timescale ranging from 80 Myr to a few gigayears, assuming a reduced tidal dissipation quality factor of Q s ′ = 10 7 − 10 9 . We performed a full phase-curve analysis of the TESS data and detected both illumination- and ellipsoidal variations as well as Doppler boosting. HIP 65A is part of a binary stellar system, with HIP 65B separated by 269 AU (3.95 arcsec on sky). TOI-157b (TIC 140691463) is a typical hot Jupiter with a mass of 1.18 ± 0.13 M J and a radius of 1.29 ± 0.02 R J . It has a period of 2.08 days, which corresponds to a separation of just 0.03 AU. This makes TOI-157 an interesting system, as the host star is an evolved G9 sub-giant star ( V = 12.7). TOI-169b (TIC 183120439) is a bloated Jupiter orbiting a V = 12.4 G-type star. It has a mass of 0.79 ±0.06 M J and a radius of 1.09 −0.05 +0.08 R J . Despite having the longest orbital period ( P = 2.26 days) of the three planets, TOI-169b receives the most irradiation and is situated on the edge of the Neptune desert. All three host stars are metal rich with [Fe / H] ranging from 0.18 to0.24.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 03-11-2020
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 29-04-2019
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 27-07-2022
Abstract: As an all-sky survey, NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission is able to detect the brightest and rarest types of transiting planetary systems, including young planets that enable study of the evolutionary processes that occur within the first billion years. Here we report the discovery of a young, multiplanet system orbiting the bright K4.5V star, TOI-712 ( V = 10.838, M ⋆ = 0.733 − 0.025 + 0.026 M ⊙ , R ⋆ = 0.674 ± 0.016 R ⊙ , T eff = 4622 − 60 + 61 K). From the TESS light curve, we measure a rotation period of 12.48 days and derive an age between about 500 Myr and 1.1 Gyr. The photometric observations reveal three transiting mini-Neptunes ( R b = 2.049 − 0.080 + 0.120 R ⊕ , R c = 2.701 − 0.082 + 0.092 R ⊕ , R d = 2.474 − 0.082 + 0.090 R ⊕ ), with orbital periods of P b = 9.531 days, P c = 51.699 days, and P d = 84.839 days. After modeling the three-planet system, an additional Earth-sized candidate is identified, TOI-712.05 ( P = 4.32 days, R P = 0.81 ± 0.11 R ⊕ ). We calculate that the habitable zone falls between 0.339 and 0.844 au (82.7 and 325.3 days), placing TOI-712 d near its inner edge. Among planetary systems harboring temperate planets, TOI-712 ( T = 9.9) stands out as a relatively young star bright enough to motivate further characterization.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 10-01-2017
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 26-02-2015
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 29-10-2020
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 19-03-2020
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 14-08-2020
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 22-06-2020
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 06-03-2020
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 18-03-2020
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 30-05-2019
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 29-03-2018
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 22-01-2019
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 20-09-2023
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 27-06-2019
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 13-02-2023
Abstract: NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission promises to improve our understanding of hot Jupiters by providing an all-sky, magnitude-limited s le of transiting hot Jupiters suitable for population studies. Assembling such a s le requires confirming hundreds of planet candidates with additional follow-up observations. Here we present 20 hot Jupiters that were detected using TESS data and confirmed to be planets through photometric, spectroscopic, and imaging observations coordinated by the TESS Follow-up Observing Program. These 20 planets have orbital periods shorter than 7 days and orbit relatively bright FGK stars (10.9 G 13.0). Most of the planets are comparable in mass to Jupiter, although there are four planets with masses less than that of Saturn. TOI-3976b, the longest-period planet in our s le ( P = 6.6 days), may be on a moderately eccentric orbit ( e = 0.18 ± 0.06), while observations of the other targets are consistent with them being on circular orbits. We measured the projected stellar obliquity of TOI-1937A b, a hot Jupiter on a 22.4 hr orbit with the Rossiter–McLaughlin effect, finding the planet’s orbit to be well aligned with the stellar spin axis (∣ λ ∣ = 4.°0 ± 3.°5). We also investigated the possibility that TOI-1937 is a member of the NGC 2516 open cluster but ultimately found the evidence for cluster membership to be ambiguous. These objects are part of a larger effort to build a complete s le of hot Jupiters to be used for future demographic and detailed characterization work.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 24-09-2020
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 10-05-2019
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 11-01-2021
Abstract: We report the discovery of TOI-561, a multiplanet system in the galactic thick disk that contains a rocky, ultra-short-period planet. This bright ( V = 10.2) star hosts three small transiting planets identified in photometry from the NASA TESS mission: TOI-561 b (TOI-561.02, P = 0.44 days, R p = 1.45 ± 0.11 R ⊕ ), c (TOI-561.01, P = 10.8 days, R p = 2.90 ± 0.13 R ⊕ ), and d (TOI-561.03, P = 16.3 days, R p = 2.32 ± 0.16 R ⊕ ). The star is chemically ([Fe/H] = −0.41 ± 0.05, [ α /Fe] = +0.23 ± 0.05) and kinematically consistent with the galactic thick-disk population, making TOI-561 one of the oldest (10 ± 3 Gyr) and most metal-poor planetary systems discovered yet. We dynamically confirm planets b and c with radial velocities from the W. M. Keck Observatory High Resolution Echelle Spectrometer. Planet b has a mass and density of 3.2 ± 0.8 M ⊕ and g cm −3 , consistent with a rocky composition. Its lower-than-average density is consistent with an iron-poor composition, although an Earth-like iron-to-silicates ratio is not ruled out. Planet c is 7.0 ± 2.3 M ⊕ and 1.6 ± 0.6 g cm −3 , consistent with an interior rocky core overlaid with a low-mass volatile envelope. Several attributes of the photometry for planet d (which we did not detect dynamically) complicate the analysis, but we vet the planet with high-contrast imaging, ground-based photometric follow-up, and radial velocities. TOI-561 b is the first rocky world around a galactic thick-disk star confirmed with radial velocities and one of the best rocky planets for thermal emission studies.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 09-02-2023
Abstract: With data from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), we showcase improvements to the MIT Quick Look Pipeline (QLP) through the discovery and validation of a multiplanet system around M dwarf TOI 4342 ( T mag = 11.032, M ⋆ = 0.63 M ⊙ , R ⋆ = 0.60 R ⊙ , T eff = 3900 K, d = 61.54 pc). With updates to QLP, including a new multiplanet search, as well as faster cadence data from TESS’s First Extended Mission, we discovered two sub-Neptunes ( R b = 2.266 − 0.038 + 0.038 R ⊕ and R c = 2.415 − 0.040 + 0.043 R ⊕ P b = 5.538 days and P c = 10.689 days) and validated them with ground-based photometry, spectra, and speckle imaging. Both planets notably have high transmission spectroscopy metrics of 36 and 32, making TOI 4342 one of the best systems for comparative atmospheric studies. This system demonstrates how improvements to QLP, along with faster cadence full-frame images, can lead to the discovery of new multiplanet systems.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 04-02-2014
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 06-06-2023
Abstract: Hot jupiters (P & 10 d, M & 60 M⊕) are almost always found alone around their stars, but four out of hundreds known have inner companion planets. These rare companions allow us to constrain the hot jupiter’s formation history by ruling out high-eccentricity tidal migration. Less is known about inner companions to hot Saturn-mass planets. We report here the discovery of the TOI-2000 system, which features a hot Saturn-mass planet with a smaller inner companion. The mini-neptune TOI-2000 b (2.70 ± 0.15 R⊕, 11.0 ± 2.4 M⊕) is in a 3.10-d orbit, and the hot saturn TOI-2000 c ($8.14_{-0.30}^{+0.31}$ R⊕ , $81.7_{-4.6}^{+4.7}$ M⊕) is in a 9.13-d orbit. Both planets transit their host star TOI-2000 (TIC 371188886, V = 10.98, TESS magnitude = 10.36), a metal-rich ([Fe/H] = 0.439 $_{-0.043}^{+0.041}$) G dwarf 173 pc away. TESS observed the two planets in sectors 9–11 and 36–38, and we followed up with ground-based photometry, spectroscopy, and speckle imaging. Radial velocities from CHIRON, FEROS, and HARPS allowed us to confirm both planets by direct mass measurement. In addition, we demonstrate constraining planetary and stellar parameters with MIST stellar evolutionary tracks through Hamiltonian Monte Carlo under the PyMC framework, achieving higher s ling efficiency and shorter run time compared to traditional Markov chain Monte Carlo. Having the brightest host star in the V band among similar systems, TOI-2000 b and c are superb candidates for atmospheric characterization by the JWST, which can potentially distinguish whether they formed together or TOI-2000 c swept along material during migration to form TOI-2000 b.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 04-04-2017
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 25-07-2014
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 30-08-2022
Abstract: The public, all-sky surveys Gaia and TESS provide the ability to identify new young associations and determine their ages. These associations enable study of planetary evolution by providing new opportunities to discover young exoplanets. A young association was recently identified by Tang et al. and Fürnkranz et al. using astrometry from Gaia (called “Group-X” by the former). In this work, we investigate the age and membership of this association, and we validate the exoplanet TOI 2048 b, which was identified to transit a young, late G dwarf in Group-X using photometry from TESS. We first identified new candidate members of Group-X using Gaia EDR3 data. To infer the age of the association, we measured rotation periods for candidate members using TESS data. The clear color–period sequence indicates that the association is the same age as the 300 ± 50 Myr old NGC 3532. We obtained optical spectra for candidate members that show lithium absorption consistent with this young age. Further, we serendipitously identify a new, small association nearby Group-X, which we call MELANGE-2. Lastly, we statistically validate TOI 2048 b, which is a 2.1 ± 0.2 R ⊕ radius planet on a 13.8-day orbit around its 300 Myr old host star.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 28-02-2023
Abstract: We present the discovery and characterization of six short-period, transiting giant planets from NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) -- TOI-1811 (TIC 376524552), TOI-2025 (TIC 394050135), TOI-2145 (TIC 88992642), TOI-2152 (TIC 395393265), TOI-2154 (TIC 428787891), and TOI-2497 (TIC 97568467). All six planets orbit bright host stars (8.9 & G & 11.8, 7.7 & K & 10.1). Using a combination of time-series photometric and spectroscopic follow-up observations from the TESS Follow-up Observing Program Working Group, we have determined that the planets are Jovian-sized (RP = 0.99--1.45 RJ), have masses ranging from 0.92 to 5.26 MJ, and orbit F, G, and K stars (4766 ≤ Teff ≤ 7360 K). We detect a significant orbital eccentricity for the three longest-period systems in our s le: TOI-2025 b (P = 8.872 d, 0.394$^{+0.035}_{-0.038}$), TOI-2145 b (P = 10.261 d, e = $0.208^{+0.034}_{-0.047}$), and TOI-2497 b (P = 10.656 d, e = $0.195^{+0.043}_{-0.040}$). TOI-2145 b and TOI-2497 b both orbit subgiant host stars (3.8 & log g & .0), but these planets show no sign of inflation despite very high levels of irradiation. The lack of inflation may be explained by the high mass of the planets $5.26^{+0.38}_{-0.37}$ MJ (TOI-2145 b) and 4.82 ± 0.41 MJ (TOI-2497 b). These six new discoveries contribute to the larger community effort to use TESS to create a magnitude-complete, self-consistent s le of giant planets with well-determined parameters for future detailed studies.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 14-11-2017
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 12-2020
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/202038016
Abstract: We report the discovery of a Neptune-like planet (LP 714-47 b, P = 4.05204 d, m b = 30.8 ± 1.5 M ⊕ , R b = 4.7 ± 0.3 R ⊕ ) located in the “hot Neptune desert”. Confirmation of the TESS Object of Interest (TOI 442.01) was achieved with radial-velocity follow-up using CARMENES, ESPRESSO, HIRES, iSHELL, and PFS, as well as from photometric data using TESS, Spitzer , and ground-based photometry from MuSCAT2, TRAPPIST-South, MONET-South, the George Mason University telescope, the Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope network, the El Sauce telescope, the TÜBİTAK National Observatory, the University of Louisville Manner Telescope, and WASP-South. We also present high-spatial resolution adaptive optics imaging with the Gemini Near-Infrared Imager. The low uncertainties in the mass and radius determination place LP 714-47 b among physically well-characterised planets, allowing for a meaningful comparison with planet structure models. The host star LP 714-47 is a slowly rotating early M dwarf ( T eff = 3950 ± 51 K) with a mass of 0.59 ± 0.02 M ⊙ and a radius of 0.58 ± 0.02 R ⊙ . From long-term photometric monitoring and spectroscopic activity indicators, we determine a stellar rotation period of about 33 d. The stellar activity is also manifested as correlated noise in the radial-velocity data. In the power spectrum of the radial-velocity data, we detect a second signal with a period of 16 days in addition to the four-day signal of the planet. This could be shown to be a harmonic of the stellar rotation period or the signal of a second planet. It may be possible to tell the difference once more TESS data and radial-velocity data are obtained.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 23-11-2016
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 02-12-2020
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 18-08-2016
Publisher: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Date: 05-03-2021
Abstract: Most exoplanets have been detected using either the radial velocity (RV) method or the transit method, which provide only limited information on the planet's physical properties. In the rare cases in which both methods detect the same planet, the combination determines the planet's mass, radius, and density. Trifonov et al. identified a planet, Gliese 486 b, using both RV and transit data. The host star is a red dwarf only 8 parsecs away, making this one of the closest exoplanet systems known. A rocky super-Earth, Gliese 486 b has an equilibrium surface temperature of 700 kelvin. The authors say that it is observationally favorable for searches for an atmosphere. Science , this issue p. 1038
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 11-2021
Abstract: HIP 67522 b is a 17 Myr old, close-in ( P orb = 6.96 days), Jupiter-sized ( R = 10 R ⊕ ) transiting planet orbiting a Sun-like star in the Sco–Cen OB association. We present our measurement of the system’s projected orbital obliquity via two spectroscopic transit observations using the CHIRON spectroscopic facility. We present a global model that accounts for large surface brightness features typical of such young stars during spectroscopic transit observations. With a value of ∣ λ ∣ = 5.8 − 5.7 + 2.8 ° it is unlikely that this well-aligned system is the result of a high-eccentricity-driven migration history. By being the youngest planet with a known obliquity, HIP 67522 b holds a special place in contributing to our understanding of giant planet formation and evolution. Our analysis shows the feasibility of such measurements for young and very active stars.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 03-08-2016
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 03-08-2016
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 27-03-2023
Abstract: Binary stars are ubiquitous the majority of solar-type stars exist in binaries. Exoplanet occurrence rate is suppressed in binaries, but some multiples do still host planets. Binaries cause observational biases in planet parameters, with undetected multiplicity causing transiting planets to appear smaller than they truly are. We have analyzed the properties of a s le of 119 planet-host binary stars from the Kepler mission to study the underlying population of planets in binaries that fall in and around the radius valley, which is a demographic feature in period–radius space that marks the transition from predominantly rocky to predominantly gaseous planets. We found no statistically significant evidence for a radius gap for our s le of 122 planets in binaries when assuming that the primary stars are the planet hosts, with a low probability ( p 0.05) of the binary planet s le radius distribution being consistent with the single-star population of small planets via an Anderson–Darling test. These results reveal demographic differences in the planet size distribution between planets in binary and single stars for the first time, showing that stellar multiplicity may fundamentally alter the planet formation process. A larger s le and further assessment of circumprimary versus circumsecondary transits is needed to either validate this nondetection or explore other scenarios, such as a radius gap with a location that is dependent on binary separation.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 05-2020
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 25-01-2021
Abstract: We report the discovery of HD 110113 b (TESS object of interest-755.01), a transiting mini-Neptune exoplanet on a 2.5-d orbit around the solar-analogue HD 110113 (Teff = 5730 K). Using TESS photometry and High Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher (HARPS) radial velocities gathered by the NCORES program, we find that HD 110113 b has a radius of 2.05 ± 0.12 R⊕ and a mass of 4.55 ± 0.62 M⊕. The resulting density of $2.90^{+0.75}_{-0.59}$ g cm−3 is significantly lower than would be expected from a pure-rock world therefore HD 110113 b must be a mini-Neptune with a significant volatile atmosphere. The high incident flux places it within the so-called radius valley however, HD 110113 b was able to hold on to a substantial (0.1–1 per cent) H–He atmosphere over its ∼4 Gyr lifetime. Through a novel simultaneous Gaussian process fit to multiple activity indicators, we were also able to fit for the strong stellar rotation signal with period 20.8 ± 1.2 d from the RVs and confirm an additional non-transiting planet, HD 110113 c, which has a mass of 10.5 ± 1.2 M⊕ and a period of $6.744^{+0.008}_{-0.009}$ d.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 14-01-2021
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 28-04-2023
Abstract: We present a validation of a long-period ( 91.68278 − 0.00041 + 0.00032 days) transiting sub-Neptune planet, TOI-1221 b (TIC 349095149.01), around a Sun-like ( m V = 10.5) star. This is one of the few known exoplanets with a period days, and belongs to the even smaller subset of which have bright enough hosts for detailed spectroscopic follow-up. We combine Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite light curves and ground-based time-series photometry from the Perth Exoplanet Survey Telescope (0.3 m) and Las Cumbres Observatory global telescope network (1.0 m) to analyze the transit signals and rule out nearby stars as potential false-positive sources. High-contrast imaging from the Southern Astrophysical Research Telescope and Gemini/Zorro rule out nearby stellar contaminants. Reconnaissance spectroscopy from CHIRON sets a planetary scale upper mass limit on the transiting object (1.1 and 3.5 M Jup at 1 σ and 3 σ , respectively) and shows no sign of a spectroscopic binary companion. We determine a planetary radius of R p = 2.91 − 0.12 + 0.13 R ⊕ , placing it in the sub-Neptune regime. With a stellar insolation of S = 6.06 − 0.77 + 0.85 S ⊕ , we calculate a moderate equilibrium temperature of T eq = 440 K, assuming no albedo and perfect heat redistribution. We find a false-positive probability from the TRICERATOPS tool of FPP = 0.0014 ± 0.0003 as well as other qualitative and quantitative evidence to support the statistical validation of TOI-1221 b. We find significant evidence ( σ ) of oscillatory transit timing variations, likely indicative of an additional nontransiting planet.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 07-03-2022
Abstract: We present the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) discovery of the LHS 1678 (TOI-696) exoplanet system, comprised of two approximately Earth-sized transiting planets and a likely astrometric brown dwarf orbiting a bright ( V J = 12.5, K s = 8.3) M2 dwarf at 19.9 pc. The two TESS-detected planets are of radius 0.70 ± 0.04 R ⊕ and 0.98 ± 0.06 R ⊕ in 0.86 day and 3.69 day orbits, respectively. Both planets are validated and characterized via ground-based follow-up observations. High Accuracy Radial Velocity Planet Searcher RV monitoring yields 97.7 percentile mass upper limits of 0.35 M ⊕ and 1.4 M ⊕ for planets b and c, respectively. The astrometric companion detected by the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory/Small and Moderate Aperture Telescope System 0.9 m has an orbital period on the order of decades and is undetected by other means. Additional ground-based observations constrain the companion to being a high-mass brown dwarf or smaller. Each planet is of unique interest the inner planet has an ultra-short period, and the outer planet is in the Venus zone. Both are promising targets for atmospheric characterization with the James Webb Space Telescope and mass measurements via extreme-precision radial velocity. A third planet candidate of radius 0.9 ± 0.1 R ⊕ in a 4.97 day orbit is also identified in multicycle TESS data for validation in future work. The host star is associated with an observed gap in the lower main sequence of the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram. This gap is tied to the transition from partially to fully convective interiors in M dwarfs, and the effect of the associated stellar astrophysics on exoplanet evolution is currently unknown. The culmination of these system properties makes LHS 1678 a unique, compelling playground for comparative exoplanet science and understanding the formation and evolution of small, short-period exoplanets orbiting low-mass stars.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 28-12-2020
Abstract: We report the discovery of a warm sub-Saturn, TOI-257b (HD 19916b), based on data from NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). The transit signal was detected by TESS and confirmed to be of planetary origin based on radial velocity observations. An analysis of the TESS photometry, the Minerva-Australis, FEROS, and HARPS radial velocities, and the asteroseismic data of the stellar oscillations reveals that TOI-257b has a mass of MP = 0.138 ± 0.023 $\\rm {M_J}$ (43.9 ± 7.3 $\\, M_{\\rm \\oplus}$), a radius of RP = 0.639 ± 0.013 $\\rm {R_J}$ (7.16 ± 0.15 $\\, \\mathrm{ R}_{\\rm \\oplus}$), bulk density of $0.65^{+0.12}_{-0.11}$ (cgs), and period $18.38818^{+0.00085}_{-0.00084}$ $\\rm {days}$. TOI-257b orbits a bright (V = 7.612 mag) somewhat evolved late F-type star with M* = 1.390 ± 0.046 $\\rm {M_{sun}}$, R* = 1.888 ± 0.033 $\\rm {R_{sun}}$, Teff = 6075 ± 90 $\\rm {K}$, and vsin i = 11.3 ± 0.5 km s−1. Additionally, we find hints for a second non-transiting sub-Saturn mass planet on a ∼71 day orbit using the radial velocity data. This system joins the ranks of a small number of exoplanet host stars (∼100) that have been characterized with asteroseismology. Warm sub-Saturns are rare in the known s le of exoplanets, and thus the discovery of TOI-257b is important in the context of future work studying the formation and migration history of similar planetary systems.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 04-02-2022
Abstract: Planet formation is often considered in the context of one circumstellar disc around one star. Yet, stellar binary systems are ubiquitous, and thus a substantial fraction of all potential planets must form and evolve in more complex, dynamical environments. We present the results of a 5 yr astrometric monitoring c aign studying 45 binary star systems that host Kepler planet candidates. The planet-forming environments in these systems would have literally been shaped by the binary orbits that persist to the present day. Crucially, the mutual inclinations of star–planet orbits can only be addressed by a statistical s le. We describe in detail our s le selection and Keck/NIRC2 laser guide star adaptive optics observations collected from 2012 to 2017. We measure orbital arcs, with a typical accuracy of ∼0.1 mas yr−1, that test whether the binary orbits tend to be aligned with the edge-on transiting planet orbits. We rule out randomly distributed binary orbits at 4.7σ, and we show that low mutual inclinations are required to explain the observed orbital arcs. If the stellar orbits have a field binary-like eccentricity distribution, then the best match to our observed orbital arcs is a distribution of mutual inclinations ranging from 0° to 30°. We discuss the implications of such widespread planet–binary alignment in the theoretical context of planet formation and circumstellar disc evolution.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 06-07-2018
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 09-03-2021
Abstract: The detection and characterization of young planetary systems offer a direct path to study the processes that shape planet evolution. We report on the discovery of a sub-Neptune-sized planet orbiting the young star HD 110082 (TOI-1098). Transit events we initially detected during TESS Cycle 1 are validated with time-series photometry from Spitzer. High-contrast imaging and high-resolution, optical spectra are also obtained to characterize the stellar host and confirm the planetary nature of the transits. The host star is a late-F dwarf ( M ⋆ = 1.2 M ⊙ ) with a low-mass, M dwarf binary companion ( M ⋆ = 0.26 M ⊙ ) separated by nearly one arcminute (∼6200 au). Based on its rapid rotation and Lithium absorption, HD 110082 is young, but is not a member of any known group of young stars (despite proximity to the Octans association). To measure the age of the system, we search for coeval, phase-space neighbors and compile a s le of candidate siblings to compare with the empirical sequences of young clusters and to apply quantitative age-dating techniques. In doing so, we find that HD 110082 resides in a new young stellar association we designate MELANGE-1, with an age of Myr. Jointly modeling the TESS and Spitzer light curves, we measure a planetary orbital period of 10.1827 days and radius of R p = 3.2 ± 0.1 R ⊕ . HD 110082 b’s radius falls in the largest 12% of field-age systems with similar host-star mass and orbital period. This finding supports previous studies indicating that young planets have larger radii than their field-age counterparts.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 23-07-2019
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 10-10-2019
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 03-08-2020
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 24-05-2022
Abstract: The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission has enabled discoveries of the brightest transiting planet systems around young stars. These systems are the benchmarks for testing theories of planetary evolution. We report the discovery of a mini-Neptune transiting a bright star in the AB Doradus moving group. HIP 94235 (TOI-4399, TIC 464646604) is a V mag = 8.31 G-dwarf hosting a 3.00 − 0.28 + 0.32 R ⊕ mini-Neptune in a 7.7 day period orbit. HIP 94235 is part of the AB Doradus moving group, one of the youngest and closest associations. Due to its youth, the host star exhibits significant photometric spot modulation, lithium absorption, and X-ray emission. Three 0.06% transits were observed during Sector 27 of the TESS Extended Mission, though these transit signals are dwarfed by the 2% peak-to-peak photometric variability exhibited by the host star. Follow-up observations with the Characterising Exoplanet Satellite confirmed the transit signal and prevented the erosion of the transit ephemeris. HIP 94235 is part of a 50 au G-M binary system. We make use of diffraction limited observations spanning 11 yr, and astrometric accelerations from Hipparcos and Gaia, to constrain the orbit of HIP 94235 B. HIP 94235 is one of the tightest stellar binaries to host an inner planet. As part of a growing s le of bright, young planet systems, HIP 94235 b is ideal for follow-up transit observations, such as those that investigate the evaporative processes driven by high-energy radiation that may sculpt the valleys and deserts in the Neptune population.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 19-12-2014
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 04-2022
Abstract: On 2019 August 14 at 21:10:39 UTC, the LIGO/Virgo Collaboration (LVC) detected a possible neutron star–black hole merger (NSBH), the first ever identified. An extensive search for an optical counterpart of this event, designated GW190814, was undertaken using the Dark Energy Camera on the 4 m Victor M. Blanco Telescope at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory. Target of Opportunity interrupts were issued on eight separate nights to observe 11 candidates using the 4.1 m Southern Astrophysical Research (SOAR) telescope’s Goodman High Throughput Spectrograph in order to assess whether any of these transients was likely to be an optical counterpart of the possible NSBH merger. Here, we describe the process of observing with SOAR, the analysis of our spectra, our spectroscopic typing methodology, and our resultant conclusion that none of the candidates corresponded to the gravitational wave merger event but were all instead other transients. Finally, we describe the lessons learned from this effort. Application of these lessons will be critical for a successful community spectroscopic follow-up program for LVC observing run 4 (O4) and beyond.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 17-02-2016
DOI: 10.1093/MNRAS/STW097
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 04-05-2022
Abstract: The alignment of planetary orbits with respect to the stellar rotation preserves information on their dynamical histories. Measuring this angle for young planets helps illuminate the mechanisms that create misaligned orbits for older planets, as different processes could operate over timescales ranging from a few megayears to a gigayear. We present spectroscopic transit observations of the young exoplanet V1298 Tau b we update the age of V1298 Tau to be 28 ± 4 Myr based on Gaia EDR3 measurements. We observed a partial transit with Keck/HIRES and LBT/PEPSI, and detected the radial velocity anomaly due to the Rossiter–McLaughlin effect. V1298 Tau b has a prograde, well-aligned orbit, with λ = 4 − 10 + 7 deg. By combining the spectroscopically measured v sin i ⋆ and the photometrically measured rotation period of the host star we also find that the orbit is aligned in 3D, ψ = 8 − 7 + 4 deg. Finally, we combine our obliquity constraints with a previous measurement for the interior planet V1298 Tau c to constrain the mutual inclination between the two planets to be i mut = 0° ± 19°. This measurements adds to the growing number of well-aligned planets at young ages, hinting that misalignments may be generated over timescales of longer than tens of megayears. The number of measurements, however, is still small, and this population may not be representative of the older planets that have been observed to date. We also present the derivation of the relationship between i mut , λ , and i for the two planets.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 25-03-2021
Abstract: We present the discovery and characterization of five hot and warm Jupiters—TOI-628 b (TIC 281408474 HD 288842), TOI-640 b (TIC 147977348), TOI-1333 b (TIC 395171208, BD+47 3521A), TOI-1478 b (TIC 409794137), and TOI-1601 b (TIC 139375960)—based on data from NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). The five planets were identified from the full-frame images and were confirmed through a series of photometric and spectroscopic follow-up observations by the TESS Follow-up Observing Program Working Group. The planets are all Jovian size ( R P = 1.01–1.77 R J ) and have masses that range from 0.85 to 6.33 M J . The host stars of these systems have F and G spectral types (5595 ≤ T eff ≤ 6460 K) and are all relatively bright (9.5 V 10.8, 8.2 K 9.3), making them well suited for future detailed characterization efforts. Three of the systems in our s le (TOI-640 b, TOI-1333 b, and TOI-1601 b) orbit subgiant host stars ( g 4.1). TOI-640 b is one of only three known hot Jupiters to have a highly inflated radius ( R P 1.7 R J , possibly a result of its host star’s evolution) and resides on an orbit with a period longer than 5 days. TOI-628 b is the most massive, hot Jupiter discovered to date by TESS with a measured mass of M J and a statistically significant, nonzero orbital eccentricity of e = . This planet would not have had enough time to circularize through tidal forces from our analysis, suggesting that it might be remnant eccentricity from its migration. The longest-period planet in this s le, TOI-1478 b ( P = 10.18 days), is a warm Jupiter in a circular orbit around a near-solar analog. NASA’s TESS mission is continuing to increase the s le of well-characterized hot and warm Jupiters, complementing its primary mission goals.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 13-10-2020
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 29-01-2021
Abstract: We report the discovery of two transiting brown dwarfs (BDs), TOI-811b and TOI-852b, from NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite mission. These two transiting BDs have similar masses but very different radii and ages. Their host stars have similar masses, effective temperatures, and metallicities. The younger and larger transiting BD is TOI-811b at a mass of M b = 59.9 ± 13.0 M J and radius of R b = 1.26 ± 0.06 R J , and it orbits its host star in a period of P = 25.16551 ± 0.00004 days. We derive the host star’s age of Myr from an application of gyrochronology. The youth of this system, rather than external heating from its host star, is why this BD’s radius is relatively large. This constraint on the youth of TOI-811b allows us to test substellar mass–radius evolutionary models at young ages where the radius of BDs changes rapidly. TOI-852b has a similar mass at M b = 53.7 ± 1.4 M J but is much older (4 or 8 Gyr, based on bimodal isochrone results of the host star) and is also smaller with a radius of R b = 0.83 ± 0.04 R J . TOI-852b’s orbital period is P = 4.94561 ± 0.00008 days. TOI-852b joins the likes of other old transiting BDs that trace out the oldest substellar mass–radius evolutionary models where contraction of the BD’s radius slows and approaches a constant value. Both host stars have a mass of M ⋆ = 1.32 M ⊙ ± 0.05 and differ in their radii, T eff , and [Fe/H], with TOI-811 having R ⋆ = 1.27 ± 0.09 R ⊙ , T eff = 6107 ± 77 K, and [Fe/H] = + 0.40 ± 0.09 and TOI-852 having R ⋆ = 1.71 ± 0.04 R ⊙ , T eff = 5768 ± 84 K, and [Fe/H] = + 0.33 ± 0.09. We take this opportunity to examine how TOI-811b and TOI-852b serve as test points for young and old substellar isochrones, respectively.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 23-01-2020
Abstract: We report on the discovery and validation of TOI 813 b (TIC 55525572 b), a transiting exoplanet identified by citizen scientists in data from NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) and the first planet discovered by the Planet Hunters TESS project. The host star is a bright (V = 10.3 mag) subgiant ($R_\\star =1.94\\, R_\\odot$, $M_\\star =1.32\\, M_\\odot$). It was observed almost continuously by TESS during its first year of operations, during which time four in idual transit events were detected. The candidate passed all the standard light curve-based vetting checks, and ground-based follow-up spectroscopy and speckle imaging enabled us to place an upper limit of $2\\, M_{\\rm Jup}$ (99 per cent confidence) on the mass of the companion, and to statistically validate its planetary nature. Detailed modelling of the transits yields a period of $83.8911 _{ - 0.0031 } ^ { + 0.0027 }$ d, a planet radius of 6.71 ± 0.38 R⊕ and a semimajor axis of $0.423 _{ - 0.037 } ^ { + 0.031 }$ AU. The planet’s orbital period combined with the evolved nature of the host star places this object in a relatively underexplored region of parameter space. We estimate that TOI 813 b induces a reflex motion in its host star with a semi- litude of ∼6 m s−1, making this a promising system to measure the mass of a relatively long-period transiting planet.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 16-05-2023
Abstract: We present the discovery and confirmation of a transiting hot bloated super-Neptune using photometry from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) and the Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope (LCOGT) and radial velocity measurements from the High Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher (HARPS). The host star TOI-2498 is a V = 11.2, G-type (Teff = 5905 ± 12 K) solar-like star with a mass of 1.12 ± 0.02 M⊙ and a radius of 1.26 ± 0.04 R⊙. The planet, TOI-2498 b, orbits the star with a period of 3.7 d, has a radius of 6.1 ± 0.3 R⊕, and a mass of 35 ± 4 M⊕. This results in a density of 0.86 ± 0.25 g cm−3. TOI-2498 b resides on the edge of the Neptune desert a region of mass–period parameter space in which there appears to be a dearth of planets. Therefore TOI-2498 b is an interesting case to study to further understand the origins and boundaries of the Neptune desert. Through modelling the evaporation history, we determine that over its ∼3.6 Gyr lifespan, TOI-2498 b has likely reduced from a Saturn-sized planet to its current radius through photoevaporation. Moreover, TOI-2498 b is a potential candidate for future atmospheric studies searching for species like water or sodium in the optical using high resolution spectroscopy, and for carbon-based molecules in the infrared using JWST.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 22-02-2023
Abstract: We report the discovery of TOI-4562b (TIC-349576261), a Jovian planet orbiting a young F7V-type star, younger than the Praesepe/Hyades clusters ( Myr). This planet stands out because of its unusually long orbital period for transiting planets with known masses ( P orb = 225.11781 − 0.00022 + 0.00025 days) and because it has a substantial eccentricity ( e = 0.76 − 0.02 + 0.02 ). The location of TOI-4562 near the southern continuous viewing zone of TESS allowed observations throughout 25 sectors, enabling an unambiguous period measurement from TESS alone. Alongside the four available TESS transits, we performed follow-up photometry using the South African Astronomical Observatory node of the Las Cumbres Observatory and spectroscopy with the CHIRON spectrograph on the 1.5 m SMARTS telescope. We measure a radius of 1.118 + 0.013 − 0.014 R J and a mass of 2.30 − 0.47 + 0.48 M J for TOI-4562b. The radius of the planet is consistent with contraction models describing the early evolution of the size of giant planets. We detect tentative transit timing variations at the ∼20 minutes level from five transit events, favoring the presence of a companion that could explain the dynamical history of this system if confirmed by future follow-up observations. With its current orbital configuration, tidal timescales are too long for TOI-4562b to become a hot Jupiter via high-eccentricity migration though it is not excluded that interactions with the possible companion could modify TOI-4562b’s eccentricity and trigger circularization. The characterization of more such young systems is essential to set constraints on models describing giant-planet evolution.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 03-2023
Abstract: We studied 89 A- and F-type members of the Pleiades open cluster, including five escaped members. We measured projected rotational velocities ( v sin i ) for 49 stars and confirmed that stellar rotation causes a broadening of the main sequence in the color–magnitude diagram. Using time-series photometry from NASA’s TESS Mission (plus one star observed by Kepler/K2), we detected δ Scuti pulsations in 36 stars. The fraction of Pleiades stars in the middle of the instability strip that pulsate is unusually high (over 80%), and their range of effective temperatures agrees well with theoretical models. On the other hand, the characteristics of the pulsation spectra are varied and do not correlate with stellar temperature, calling into question the existence of a useful ν max relation for δ Scutis, at least for young main-sequence stars. By including δ Scuti stars observed in the Kepler field, we show that the instability strip is shifted to the red with increasing distance by interstellar reddening. Overall, this work demonstrates the power of combining observations with Gaia and TESS for studying pulsating stars in open clusters.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 09-09-2019
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 28-02-2023
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 29-10-2020
Abstract: We present the discovery of two new 10 day period giant planets from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite mission, whose masses were precisely determined using a wide ersity of ground-based facilities. TOI-481 b and TOI-892 b have similar radii (0.99 ± 0.01 R J and 1.07 ± 0.02 R J , respectively), and orbital periods (10.3311 days and 10.6266 days, respectively), but significantly different masses (1.53 ± 0.03 M J versus 0.95 ± 0.07 M J , respectively). Both planets orbit metal-rich stars ( [ Fe / H ] = + 0.26 ± 0.05 dex and [ Fe / H ] = + 0.24 ± 0.05 for TOI-481 and TOI-892, respectively) but at different evolutionary stages. TOI-481 is a M ⋆ = 1.14 ± 0.02 M ⊙ , R ⋆ = 1.66 ± 0.02 R ⊙ G-type star ( T eff = 5735 ± 72 K), that with an age of 6.7 Gyr, is in the turn-off point of the main sequence. TOI-892 on the other hand, is a F-type dwarf star ( T eff = 6261 ± 80 K), which has a mass of M ⋆ = 1.28 ± 0.03 M ⊙ and a radius of R ⋆ = 1.39 ± 0.02 R ⊙ . TOI-481 b and TOI-892 b join the scarcely populated region of transiting gas giants with orbital periods longer than 10 days, which is important to constrain theories of the formation and structure of hot Jupiters.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 02-07-2020
Publisher: Zenodo
Date: 2016
DOI: 10.5281/ZENODO.58758
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 07-2020
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 20-06-2016
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 08-2022
Abstract: We report the discovery in TESS data and validation of HD 56414 b (a.k.a. TOI-1228 b), a Neptune-size ( R p = 3.71 ± 0.20 R ⊕ ) planet with a 29 day orbital period transiting a young (age = 420 ± 140 Myr) A-type star in the TESS southern continuous-viewing zone. HD 56414 is one of the hottest stars ( T eff = 8500 ± 150 K) to host a known sub-Jovian planet. HD 56414 b lies on the boundary of the hot Neptune desert in the planet radius–bolometric insolation flux space, suggesting that the planet may be experiencing mass loss. To explore this, we apply a photoevaporation model that incorporates the high near-ultraviolet continuum emission of A-type stars. We find that the planet can retain most of its atmosphere over the typical 1 Gyr main-sequence lifetime of an A-type star if its mass is ≥8 M ⊕ . Our model also predicts that close-in Neptune-size planets with masses M ⊕ are susceptible to total atmospheric stripping over 1 Gyr, hinting that the hot Neptune desert, which has been previously observed around FGKM-type stars, likely extends to A-type stars.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 12-10-2018
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 06-2023
Abstract: We present the discovery and characterization of HIP 33609 b, a transiting warm brown dwarf orbiting a late B star, discovered by NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite as TOI-588 b. HIP 33609 b is a large ( R b = 1.580 − 0.070 + 0.074 R J ) brown dwarf on a highly eccentric ( e = 0.560 − 0.031 + 0.029 ) orbit with a 39 days period. The host star is a bright ( V = 7.3 mag), T eff = 10,400 − 660 + 800 K star with a mass of M * = 2.383 − 0.095 + 0.10 M ⊙ and radius of R * = 1.863 − 0.082 + 0.087 R ⊙ , making it the hottest transiting brown dwarf host star discovered to date. We obtained radial velocity measurements from the CHIRON spectrograph confirming the companion's mass of M b = 68.0 − 7.1 + 7.4 M J as well as the host star's rotation rate ( v sin i * = 55.6 ± 1.8 km s −1 ). We also present the discovery of a new comoving group of stars, designated as MELANGE-6, and determine that HIP 33609 is a member. We use a combination of rotation periods and isochrone models fit to the cluster members to estimate an age of 150 ± 25 Myr. With a measured mass, radius, and age, HIP 33609 b becomes a benchmark for substellar evolutionary models.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 27-06-2023
Abstract: We report the confirmation of a TESS-discovered transiting super-Earth planet orbiting a mid-G star, HD 307842 (TOI-784). The planet has a period of 2.8 days, and the radial velocity (RV) measurements constrain the mass to be 9.67 − 0.82 + 0.83 M ⊕ . We also report the discovery of an additional planet candidate on an outer orbit that is most likely nontransiting. The possible periods of the planet candidate are approximately 20–63 days, with the corresponding RV semi litudes expected to range from 3.2 to 5.4 m s −1 and minimum masses from 12.6 to 31.1 M ⊕ . The radius of the transiting planet (planet b) is 1.93 − 0.09 + 0.11 R ⊕ , which results in a mean density of 7.4 − 1.2 + 1.4 g cm − 3 suggesting that TOI-784 b is likely to be a rocky planet though it has a comparable radius to a sub-Neptune. We found TOI-784 b is located at the lower edge of the so-called “radius valley” in the radius versus insolation plane, which is consistent with the photoevaporation or core-powered mass-loss prediction. The TESS data did not reveal any significant transit signal of the planet candidate, and our analysis shows that the orbital inclinations of planet b and the planet candidate are 88.60 ° − 0.86 + 0.84 and ≤88.°3–89.°2, respectively. More RV observations are needed to determine the period and mass of the second object, and search for additional planets in this system.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 24-09-2020
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 15-06-2023
Abstract: We report the discovery of three transiting low-mass companions to aged stars: a brown dwarf (TOI-2336b) and two objects near the hydrogen burning mass limit (TOI-1608b and TOI-2521b). These three systems were first identified using data from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). TOI-2336b has a radius of 1.05 ± 0.04 RJ, a mass of 69.9 ± 2.3 MJ and an orbital period of 7.71 d. TOI-1608b has a radius of 1.21 ± 0.06 RJ, a mass of 90.7 ± 3.7 MJ and an orbital period of 2.47 d. TOI-2521b has a radius of 1.01 ± 0.04 RJ, a mass of 77.5 ± 3.3 MJ, and an orbital period of 5.56 d. We found all these low-mass companions are inflated. We fitted a relation between radius, mass, and incident flux using the s le of known transiting brown dwarfs and low-mass M dwarfs. We found a positive correlation between the flux and the radius for brown dwarfs and for low-mass stars that is weaker than the correlation observed for giant planets. We also found that TOI-1608 and TOI-2521 are very likely to be spin-orbit synchronized, leading to the unusually rapid rotation of the primary stars considering their evolutionary stages. Our estimates indicate that both systems have much shorter spin-orbit synchronization time-scales compared to their ages. These systems provide valuable insights into the evolution of stellar systems with brown dwarf and low-mass stellar companions influenced by tidal effects.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 03-08-2021
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 22-02-2019
DOI: 10.1093/MNRAS/STZ537
Abstract: We have discovered a young M star of mass 0.16 M⊙ and radius 0.63 R⊙, likely in the Upper Sco Association, that exhibits only a single 80 per cent deep occultation of 1-d duration. The star has frequent flares and a low- litude rotational modulation, but is otherwise quiet over 160 d of cumulative observation during K2 c aigns C2 and C15. We discuss how such a deep eclipse is not possible by one star crossing another in any binary or higher order stellar system in which no mass transfer has occurred. The two possible explanations we are left with are (1) orbiting dust or small particles (e.g. a disc bound to a smaller orbiting body, or unbound dust that emanates from such a body) or (2) a transient accretion event of dusty material near the corotation radius of the star. In either case, the time between such occultation events must be longer than ∼80 d. We model a possible orbiting occulter both as a uniform elliptically shaped surface (e.g. an inclined circular disc) and as a ‘dust sheet’ with a gradient of optical depth behind its leading edge. The required masses in such dust features are then ≳3 × 1019 g and ≳1019 g, for the two cases, respectively.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 08-2021
Location: United States of America
No related grants have been discovered for Andrew Mann.