ORCID Profile
0000-0002-2662-3762
Current Organisation
INAF-Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova
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Stellar Astronomy and Planetary Systems | Astronomical and Space Sciences | Galactic Astronomy | Astronomical and Space Instrumentation
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 11-2009
DOI: 10.1017/S1743921310004023
Abstract: We use about 1400 red giant branch stars observed in 19 Galactic Globular Clusters (GCs) to compare colours, metallicities, and RGB bump luminosities of stars assigned to first and second generations. We find subtle differences which we attribute to the different He content. In general these differences are visible only when we consider the extreme second generation stars, with the exception of NGC 2808. When using various indicators, the implied helium enhancements are similar, but the absolute calibration is still uncertain.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 21-06-2022
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 12-2017
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201731145
Abstract: Context. The substellar companion HD 206893b has recently been discovered by direct imaging of its disc-bearing host star with the Spectro-Polarimetric High-contrast Exoplanet REsearch (SPHERE) instrument. Aims. We investigate the atypical properties of the companion, which has the reddest near-infrared colours among all known substellar objects, either orbiting a star or isolated, and we provide a comprehensive characterisation of the host star-disc-companion system. Methods. We conducted a follow-up of the companion with adaptive optics imaging and spectro-imaging with SPHERE, and a multi-instrument follow-up of its host star. We obtain a R = 30 spectrum from 0.95 to 1.64 μ m of the companion and additional photometry at 2.11 and 2.25 μ m. We carried out extensive atmosphere model fitting for the companions and the host star in order to derive their age, mass, and metallicity. Results. We found no additional companion in the system in spite of exquisite observing conditions resulting in sensitivity to 6 M Jup (2 M Jup ) at 0.5′′ for an age of 300 Myr (50 Myr). We detect orbital motion over more than one year and characterise the possible Keplerian orbits. We constrain the age of the system to a minimum of 50 Myr and a maximum of 700 Myr, and determine that the host-star metallicity is nearly solar. The comparison of the companion spectrum and photometry to model atmospheres indicates that the companion is an extremely dusty late L dwarf, with an intermediate gravity (log g ~ 4.5–5.0) which is compatible with the independent age estimate of the system. Conclusions. Though our best fit corresponds to a brown dwarf of 15–30 M Jup aged 100–300 Myr, our analysis is also compatible with a range of masses and ages going from a 50 Myr 12 M Jup planetary-mass object to a 50 M Jup Hyades-age brown dwarf. Even though this companion is extremely red, we note that it is more probable that it has an intermediate gravity rather than the very low gravity that is often associated with very red L dwarfs. We also find that the detected companion cannot shape the observed outer debris disc, hinting that one or several additional planetary mass objects in the system might be necessary to explain the position of the disc inner edge.
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 07-2018
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201732476
Abstract: Context. A low-mass brown dwarf has recently been imaged around HR 2562 (HD 50571), a star hosting a debris disk resolved in the far infrared. Interestingly, the companion location is compatible with an orbit coplanar with the disk and interior to the debris belt. This feature makes the system a valuable laboratory to analyze the formation of substellar companions in a circumstellar disk and potential disk-companion dynamical interactions. Aims. We aim to further characterize the orbital motion of HR 2562 B and its interactions with the host star debris disk. Methods. We performed a monitoring of the system over ~10 months in 2016 and 2017 with the VLT/SPHERE exoplanet imager. Results. We confirm that the companion is comoving with the star and detect for the first time an orbital motion at high significance, with a current orbital motion projected in the plane of the sky of 25 mas (~0.85 au) per year. No orbital curvature is seen in the measurements. An orbital fit of the SPHERE and literature astrometry of the companion without priors on the orbital plane clearly indicates that its orbit is (quasi-)coplanar with the disk. To further constrain the other orbital parameters, we used empirical laws for a companion chaotic zone validated by N-body simulations to test the orbital solutions that are compatible with the estimated disk cavity size. Non-zero eccentricities ( .15) are allowed for orbital periods shorter than 100 yr, while only moderate eccentricities up to ~0.3 for orbital periods longer than 200 yr are compatible with the disk observations. A comparison of synthetic Herschel images to the real data does not allow us to constrain the upper eccentricity of the companion.
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 11-2010
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 12-10-2019
Abstract: Asteroseismology is a promising tool to study Galactic structure and evolution because it can probe the ages of stars. Earlier attempts comparing seismic data from the Kepler satellite with predictions from Galaxy models found that the models predicted more low-mass stars compared to the observed distribution of masses. It was unclear if the mismatch was due to inaccuracies in the Galactic models, or the unknown aspects of the selection function of the stars. Using new data from the K2 mission, which has a well-defined selection function, we find that an old metal-poor thick disc, as used in previous Galactic models, is incompatible with the asteroseismic information. We use an importance-s ling framework, which takes the selection function into account, to fit for the metallicities of a population synthesis model using spectroscopic data. We show that spectroscopic measurements of [Fe/H] and [α/Fe] elemental abundances from the GALAH survey indicate a mean metallicity of log (Z/Z⊙) = −0.16 for the thick disc. Here Z is the effective solar-scaled metallicity, which is a function of [Fe/H] and [α/Fe]. With the revised disc metallicities, for the first time, the theoretically predicted distribution of seismic masses show excellent agreement with the observed distribution of masses. This indirectly verifies that the asteroseismic mass scaling relation is good to within five per cent. Assuming the asteroseismic scaling relations are correct, we estimate the mean age of the thick disc to be about 10 Gyr, in agreement with the traditional idea of an old α-enhanced thick disc.
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 2019
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201834302
Abstract: Context. With an orbital distance comparable to that of Saturn in the solar system, β Pictoris b is the closest (semi-major axis ≃9 au) exoplanet that has been imaged to orbit a star. Thus it offers unique opportunities for detailed studies of its orbital, physical, and atmospheric properties, and of disk-planet interactions. With the exception of the discovery observations in 2003 with NaCo at the Very Large Telescope (VLT), all following astrometric measurements relative to β Pictoris have been obtained in the southwestern part of the orbit, which severely limits the determination of the planet’s orbital parameters. Aims . We aimed at further constraining β Pictoris b orbital properties using more data, and, in particular, data taken in the northeastern part of the orbit. Methods. We used SPHERE at the VLT to precisely monitor the orbital motion of beta β Pictoris b since first light of the instrument in 2014. Results . We were able to monitor the planet until November 2016, when its angular separation became too small (125 mas, i.e., 1.6 au) and prevented further detection. We redetected β Pictoris b on the northeast side of the disk at a separation of 139 mas and a PA of 30° in September 2018. The planetary orbit is now well constrained. With a semi-major axis (sma) of a = 9.0 ± 0.5 au (1 σ ), it definitely excludes previously reported possible long orbital periods, and excludes β Pictoris b as the origin of photometric variations that took place in 1981. We also refine the eccentricity and inclination of the planet. From an instrumental point of view, these data demonstrate that it is possible to detect, if they exist, young massive Jupiters that orbit at less than 2 au from a star that is 20 pc away.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 21-01-2022
Abstract: Spectroscopic observations of stars belonging to open clusters, with well-determined ages and distances, are a unique tool for constraining stellar evolution, nucleosynthesis, mixing processes, and, ultimately, Galactic chemical evolution. Abundances of slow (s) process neutron capture elements in stars that retain their initial surface composition open a window into the processes that generated them. In particular, they give us information on their main site of production, i.e., the low- and intermediate-mass Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) stars. In the present work, we review some observational results obtained during the last decade that contributed to a better understanding of the AGB phase: the growth of s-process abundances at recent epochs, i.e., in the youngest stellar populations the different relations between age and [s/Fe] in distinct regions of the disc and finally the use of s-process abundances combined with those of α elements, [s/α], to estimate stellar ages. We revise some implications that these observations had both on stellar and Galactic evolution, and on our ability to infer stellar ages.
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 20-02-2012
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 05-09-2018
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 12-2020
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/202039031
Abstract: Discovering wide companions of stellar systems allows us to constrain the dynamical environment and age of the latter. We studied four probable wide companions of four different stellar systems. The candidates were selected mainly based on their similar kinematic properties to the central star using Gaia DR2. The central stars are V4046 Sgr, HIP 74865, HIP 65426, and HIP 73145, and their probable wide companions are 2MASS J18152222-3249329, 2MASS J15174874-3028484, 2MASS J13242119-5129503, and 2MASS J14571503-3543505 respectively. V4046 Sgr is a member of β -Pictoris Moving Group while the rest of the stellar systems are acknowledged as members of the Scorpius-Centaurus association. The selected stellar systems are particularly interesting because all of them are already known to possess a low-mass companion and/or a spatially resolved disk. Identifying wider companions of these stars can improve their eligibility as benchmarks for understanding the formation channels of various triple systems, and can help us to determine the orbits of their possibly undiscovered inner, wider companions in case of higher multiplicity. By analyzing the X-shooter spectra of the wide companion candidates of these stars, we obtained their stellar parameters and determined their ages. We find that 2MASS J15174874-3028484 (0.11 M ⊙ , 7.4 ± 0.5 Myr), an already recognized pre-main sequence (PMS) member of Scorpius-Centaurus association, is a highly probable wide companion of HIP 74865. 2MASS J13242119-5129503 (0.04 M ⊙ , 16 ± 2.2 Myr) is ruled out as a plausible wide companion of HIP 65426, but confirmed to be a new sub-stellar member of the Scorpius-Centaurus association. 2MASS J14571503-3543505 (0.02 M ⊙ , 17.75 ± 4.15 Myr) is a probable sub-stellar member of the same association, but we cannot confirm whether or not it is gravitationally bound to HIP 73145. 2MASS J18152222-3249329 (0.3 M ⊙ , older than 150 Myr) is determined to be a mildly active main sequence star, much older than members of β -Pictoris Moving Group, and unbound to V4046 Sgr despite their similar kinematic features. PMS wide companions such as 2MASS J15174874-3028484 might have formed through cascade fragmentation of their natal molecular core, hinting at high multiplicity in shorter separations which can be confirmed with future observations.
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 09-2023
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 16-02-2016
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 28-02-2020
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201937309
Abstract: Substellar companions at wide separation around stars hosting planets or brown dwarfs (BDs) yet close enough for their formation in the circumstellar disc are of special interest. In this Letter we report the discovery of a wide (projected separation ∼16″.0, or 2400 AU, and position angle 114.61°) companion of the GQ Lup A-B system, most likely gravitationally bound to it. A VLT/X-shooter spectrum shows that this star, 2MASS J15491331-3539118, is a bonafide low-mass (∼0.15 M ⊙ ) young stellar object (YSO) with stellar and accretion/ejection properties typical of Lupus YSOs of similar mass, and with kinematics consistent with that of the GQ Lup A-B system. A possible scenario for the formation of the triple system is that GQ Lup A and 2MASS J15491331-3539118 formed by fragmentation of a turbulent core in the Lup I filament, while GQ Lup B, the BD companion of GQ Lup A at 0″.7, formed in situ by the fragmentation of the circumprimary disc. The recent discoveries that stars form along cloud filaments would favour the scenario of turbulent fragmentation for the formation of GQ Lup A and 2MASS J15491331-3539118.
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 23-12-2014
Publisher: SPIE
Date: 27-07-2016
DOI: 10.1117/12.2233545
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 07-2022
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/202243151
Abstract: Context. Open clusters are ideal laboratories to investigate a variety of astrophysical topics, from the properties of the Galactic disc to stellar evolution models. For this purpose, we need to know their chemical composition in detail. Unfortunately, the number of systems with chemical abundances determined from high resolution spectroscopy remains small. Aims. Our aim is to increase the number of open clusters with radial velocities and chemical abundances determined from high resolution spectroscopy by s ling a few stars in clusters which had not been previously studied. Methods. We obtained high resolution spectra with the FIbre-fed Echelle Spectrograph at Nordic Optical Telescope for 41 stars belonging to 20 open clusters. These stars have high astrometric membership probabilities determined from the Gaia second data release. Results. We derived radial velocites for all the observed stars which were used to confirm their membership to the corresponding clusters. For Gulliver 37, we cannot be sure the observed star is a real member. We derived atmospheric parameters for the 32 stars considered to be real cluster members. We discarded five stars because they have very low gravity or their atmospheric parameters were not properly constrained due to low signal-to-noise ratio spectra. Therefore, detailed chemical abundances were determined for 28 stars belonging to 17 clusters. For most of them, this is the first chemical analysis available in the literature. Finally, we compared the clusters in our s le to a large population of well-studied clusters. The studied systems follow the trends, both chemical and kinematical, described by the majority of open clusters. It is worth mentioning that the three most metal-poor studied clusters (NGC 1027, NGC 1750, and Trumpler 2) are enhanced in Si, but not in the other α-elements studied (Mg, Ca, and Ti).
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 25-09-2015
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 06-03-2018
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 29-08-2011
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 21-07-2014
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 08-2022
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/202243675
Abstract: Context. Virtually all known exoplanets reside around stars with M 2.3 M ⊙ either due to the rapid evaporation of the protostellar disks or to selection effects impeding detections around more massive stellar hosts. Aims. To clarify if this dearth of planets is real or a selection effect, we launched the planet-hunting B-star Exoplanet Abundance STudy (BEAST) survey targeting B stars (M 2.4 M ⊙ ) in the young (5−20 Myr) Scorpius-Centaurus association by means of the high-contrast spectro-imager SPHERE at the Very Large Telescope. Methods. In this paper we present the analysis of high-contrast images of the massive (M ~ 9 M ⊙ ) star μ 2 Sco obtained within BEAST. We carefully examined the properties of this star, combining data from Gaia and from the literature, and used state-of-the-art algorithms for the reduction and analysis of our observations. Results. Based on kinematic information, we found that μ 2 Sco is a member of a small group which we label Eastern Lower Scorpius within the Scorpius-Centaurus association. We were thus able to constrain its distance, refining in turn the precision on stellar parameters. Around this star we identify a robustly detected substellar companion (14.4 ± 0.8 M J )at a projected separation of 290 ± 10 au, and a probable second similar object (18.5 ± 1.5 M J ) at 21 ± 1 au. The planet-to-star mass ratios of these objects are similar to that of Jupiter to the Sun, and the flux they receive from the star is similar to those of Jupiter and Mercury, respectively. Conclusions. The robust and the probable companions of μ 2 Sco are naturally added to the giant 10.9 M J planet recently discovered by BEAST around the binary b Cen system. While these objects are slightly more massive than the deuterium burning limit, their properties are similar to those of giant planets around less massive stars and they are better reproduced by assuming that they formed under a planet-like, rather than a star-like scenario. Irrespective of the (needed) confirmation of the inner companion, μ 2 Sco is the first star that would end its life as a supernova that hosts such a system. The tentative high frequency of BEAST discoveries is unexpected, and it shows that systems with giant planets or small-mass brown dwarfs can form around B stars. When putting this finding in the context of core accretion and gravitational instability formation scenarios, we conclude that the current modeling of both mechanisms is not able to produce this kind of companion. The completion of BEAST will pave the way for the first time to an extension of these models to intermediate and massive stars.
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 07-2021
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/202038107
Abstract: The SpHere INfrared Exoplanet (SHINE) project is a 500-star survey performed with SPHERE on the Very Large Telescope for the purpose of directly detecting new substellar companions and understanding their formation and early evolution. Here we present an initial statistical analysis for a subs le of 150 stars spanning spectral types from B to M that are representative of the full SHINE s le. Our goal is to constrain the frequency of substellar companions with masses between 1 and 75 M Jup and semimajor axes between 5 and 300 au. For this purpose, we adopt detection limits as a function of angular separation from the survey data for all stars converted into mass and projected orbital separation using the BEX-COND-hot evolutionary tracks and known distance to each system. Based on the results obtained for each star and on the 13 detections in the s le, we use a Markov chain Monte Carlo tool to compare our observations to two different types of models. The first is a parametric model based on observational constraints, and the second type are numerical models that combine advanced core accretion and gravitational instability planet population synthesis. Using the parametric model, we show that the frequencies of systems with at least one substellar companion are 23.0 −9.7 +13.5 , 5.8 −2.8 +4.7 , and 12.6 −7.1 +12.9 % for BA, FGK, and M stars, respectively. We also demonstrate that a planet-like formation pathway probably dominates the mass range from 1–75 M Jup for companions around BA stars, while for M dwarfs, brown dwarf binaries dominate detections. In contrast, a combination of binary star-like and planet-like formation is required to best fit the observations for FGK stars. Using our population model and restricting our s le to FGK stars, we derive a frequency of 5.7 −2.8 +3.8 %, consistent with predictions from the parametric model. More generally, the frequency values that we derive are in excellent agreement with values obtained in previous studies.
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 2015
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 04-2019
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201833218
Abstract: The overlap between the spectroscopic Galactic Archaeology with HERMES (GALAH) survey and Gaia provides a high-dimensional chemodynamical space of unprecedented size. We present a first analysis of a subset of this overlap, of 7066 dwarf, turn-off, and sub-giant stars. These stars have spectra from the GALAH survey and high parallax precision from the Gaia DR1 Tycho- Gaia Astrometric Solution. We investigate correlations between chemical compositions, ages, and kinematics for this s le. Stellar parameters and elemental abundances are derived from the GALAH spectra with the spectral synthesis code S PECTROSCOPY M ADE E ASY . We determine kinematics and dynamics, including action angles, from the Gaia astrometry and GALAH radial velocities. Stellar masses and ages are determined with Bayesian isochrone matching, using our derived stellar parameters and absolute magnitudes. We report measurements of Li, C, O, Na, Mg, Al, Si, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Y, as well as Ba and we note that we have employed non-LTE calculations for Li, O, Al, and Fe. We show that the use of astrometric and photometric data improves the accuracy of the derived spectroscopic parameters, especially log g . Focusing our investigation on the correlations between stellar age, iron abundance [Fe/H], and mean alpha-enhancement [ α /Fe] of the magnitude-selected s le, we recover the result that stars of the high- α sequence are typically older than stars in the low- α sequence, the latter spanning iron abundances of −0.7 [Fe/H] +0.5. While these two sequences become indistinguishable in [ α /Fe] vs. [Fe/H] at the metal-rich regime, we find that age can be used to separate stars from the extended high- α and the low- α sequence even in this regime. When dissecting the s le by stellar age, we find that the old stars ( Gyr) have lower angular momenta L z than the Sun, which implies that they are on eccentric orbits and originate from the inner disc. Contrary to some previous smaller scale studies we find a continuous evolution in the high- α -sequence up to super-solar [Fe/H] rather than a gap, which has been interpreted as a separate “high- α metal-rich” population. Stars in our s le that are younger than 10 Gyr, are mainly found on the low α -sequence and show a gradient in L z from low [Fe/H] ( L z L z , ⊙ ) towards higher [Fe/H] ( L z L z , ⊙ ), which implies that the stars at the ends of this sequence are likely not originating from the close solar vicinity.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 03-2023
Abstract: We present new empirical infrared period–luminosity–metallicity (PLZ) and period–Wesenheit–metallicity (PWZ) relations for RR Lyae based on the latest Gaia Early Data Release 3 (EDR3) parallaxes. The relations are provided in the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) W1 and W2 bands, as well as in the W(W1, V − W1) and W(W2, V − W2) Wesenheit magnitudes. The relations are calibrated using a very large s le of Galactic halo field RR Lyrae stars with homogeneous spectroscopic [Fe/H] abundances (over 1000 stars in the W1 band), covering a broad range of metallicities (−2.5 ≲ [Fe/H] ≲ 0.0). We test the performance of our PLZ and PWZ relations by determining the distance moduli of both galactic and extragalactic stellar associations: the Sculptor dwarf spheroidal galaxy in the Local Group (finding μ ¯ 0 = 19.47 ± 0.06 ), the Galactic globular clusters M4 ( μ ¯ 0 = 11.16 ± 0.05 ), and the Reticulum globular cluster in the Large Magellanic Cloud ( μ ¯ 0 = 18.23 ± 0.06 ). The distance moduli determined through all our relations are internally self-consistent (within ≲0.05 mag) but are systematically smaller (by ∼2–3 σ ) than previous literature measurements taken from a variety of methods/anchors. However, a comparison with similar recent RR Lyrae empirical relations anchored with EDR3 likewise shows, to varying extents, a systematically smaller distance modulus for PLZ/PWZ RR Lyrae relations.
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 13-12-2012
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 04-2014
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 31-03-2022
Abstract: APOGEE and GALAH are two high resolution multi-object spectroscopic surveys that provide fundamental stellar parameters and multiple elemental abundance estimates for about half a million stars in the Milky Way. Both surveys observe in different wavelength regimes and use different data reduction pipelines leading to significant offsets and trends in stellar parameters and abundances for the common stars observed in both surveys. Such systematic differences/offsets in stellar parameters and abundances make it difficult to effectively utilize them to investigate Galactic abundance trends in spite of the unique advantage provided by their complementary sky coverage and different Milky Way components they observe. Hence, we use the Cannon data-driven method selecting a training set of 4418 common stars observed by both surveys. This enables the construction of two catalogues, one with the APOGEE-scaled and the other with the GALAH-scaled stellar parameters. Using repeat observations in APOGEE and GALAH, we find high precision in metallicity (∼0.02–0.4 dex) and alpha abundances (∼0.02–0.03 dex) for spectra with good signal-to-noise ratio (SNR & 80 for APOGEE and SNR & 40 for GALAH). We use open and globular clusters to validate our parameter estimates and find small scatter in metallicity (0.06 dex) and alpha abundances (0.03 dex) in APOGEE-scaled case. The final catalogues have been cross-matched with the Gaia EDR3 catalogue to enable their use to carry out detailed chemo-dynamic studies of the Milky Way from perspectives of APOGEE and GALAH.
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 28-07-2009
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 09-2017
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201731152
Abstract: Aims. The SHINE program is a high-contrast near-infrared survey of 600 young, nearby stars aimed at searching for and characterizing new planetary systems using VLT/SPHERE’s unprecedented high-contrast and high-angular-resolution imaging capabilities. It is also intended to place statistical constraints on the rate, mass and orbital distributions of the giant planet population at large orbits as a function of the stellar host mass and age to test planet-formation theories. Methods. We used the IRDIS dual-band imager and the IFS integral field spectrograph of SPHERE to acquire high-contrast coronagraphic differential near-infrared images and spectra of the young A2 star HIP 65426. It is a member of the ~17 Myr old Lower Centaurus-Crux association. Results. At a separation of 830 mas (92 au projected) from the star, we detect a faint red companion. Multi-epoch observations confirm that it shares common proper motion with HIP 65426. Spectro-photometric measurements extracted with IFS and IRDIS between 0.95 and 2.2 μ m indicate a warm, dusty atmosphere characteristic of young low-surface-gravity L5-L7 dwarfs. Hot-start evolutionary models predict a luminosity consistent with a 6–12 M Jup , T eff = 1300–1600 K and R = 1.5 ± 0.1 R Jup giant planet. Finally, the comparison with Exo-REM and PHOENIX BT-Settl synthetic atmosphere models gives consistent effective temperatures but with slightly higher surface gravity solutions of log ( g ) = 4.0–5.0 with smaller radii (1.0–1.3 R Jup ). Conclusions. Given its physical and spectral properties, HIP 65426 b occupies a rather unique placement in terms of age, mass, and spectral-type among the currently known imaged planets. It represents a particularly interesting case to study the presence of clouds as a function of particle size, composition, and location in the atmosphere, to search for signatures of non-equilibrium chemistry, and finally to test the theory of planet formation and evolution.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 10-05-2012
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 07-2018
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201832650
Abstract: We report the discovery of a bright, brown dwarf companion to the star HIP 64892, imaged with VLT/SPHERE during the SHINE exoplanet survey. The host is a B9.5V member of the Lower-Centaurus-Crux subgroup of the Scorpius Centaurus OB association. The measured angular separation of the companion (1.2705 ± 0.0023 ” ) corresponds to a projected distance of 159 ± 12 AU. We observed the target with the dual-band imaging and long-slit spectroscopy modes of the IRDIS imager to obtain its spectral energy distribution (SED) and astrometry. In addition, we reprocessed archival NACO L -band data, from which we also recover the companion. Its SED is consistent with a young ( Myr), low surface gravity object with a spectral type of M9 γ ± 1. From comparison with the BT-Settl atmospheric models we estimate an effective temperature of T eff = 2600 ± 100 K, and comparison of the companion photometry to the COND evolutionary models yields a mass of ~29−37 M J at the estimated age of 16 −7 +15 Myr for the system. The star HIP 64892 is a rare ex le of an extreme-mass ratio system ( q ~ 0.01) and will be useful for testing models relating to the formation and evolution of such low-mass objects.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 12-08-2015
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 13-05-2009
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 21-12-2012
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 11-08-2010
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 11-02-2009
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 02-12-2014
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 09-2016
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 10-2011
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 16-09-2010
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 06-2010
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 02-2021
Abstract: We performed the largest and most homogeneous spectroscopic survey of field RR Lyraes (RRLs). We secured ≈6300 high-resolution (HR, R ∼ 35,000) spectra for 143 RRLs (111 fundamental, RRab 32 first-overtone, RRc). The atmospheric parameters were estimated by using the traditional approach and the iron abundances were measured by using an LTE line analysis. The resulting iron distribution shows a well-defined metal-rich tail approaching solar iron abundance. This suggests that field RRLs experienced a complex chemical enrichment in the early halo formation. We used these data to develop a new calibration of the Δ S method. This diagnostic, based on the equivalent widths of Ca ii K and three Balmer (H δ , γ , β ) lines, traces the metallicity of RRLs. For the first time, the new empirical calibration: (i) includes spectra collected over the entire pulsation cycle (ii) includes RRc variables (iii) relies on spectroscopic calibrators covering more than three dex in iron abundance and (iv) provides independent calibrations based on one/two/three Balmer lines. The new calibrations were applied to a data set of both SEGUE-SDSS and degraded HR spectra totalling 6451 low-resolution ( R ∼ 2000) spectra for 5001 RRLs (3439 RRab, 1562 RRc). This resulted in an iron distribution with a median η = −1.55 ± 0.01 and σ = 0.51 dex, in good agreement with literature values. We also found that RRc are 0.10 dex more metal-poor than RRab variables, and have a distribution with a smoother metal-poor tail. This finding supports theoretical prescriptions suggesting a steady decrease in the RRc number when moving from metal-poor to metal-rich stellar environments.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 05-2021
Abstract: The results from the ESA Gaia astrometric mission and deep photometric surveys have revolutionized our knowledge of the Milky Way. There are many ongoing efforts to search these data for stellar substructure to find evidence of in idual accretion events that built up the Milky Way and its halo. One of these newly identified features, called Nyx, was announced as an accreted stellar stream traveling in the plane of the disk. Using a combination of elemental abundances and stellar parameters from the GALAH and Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE) surveys, we find that the abundances of the highest likelihood Nyx members are entirely consistent with membership of the thick disk, and inconsistent with a dwarf galaxy origin. We conclude that the postulated Nyx stream is most probably a high-velocity component of the Milky Way’s thick disk. With the growing availability of large data sets including kinematics, stellar parameters, and detailed abundances, the probability of detecting chance associations increases, and hence new searches for substructure require confirmation across as many data dimensions as possible.
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 02-2021
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/202039601
Abstract: Context. Sirius-like systems are relatively wide binaries with a separation from a few to hundreds of au they are composed of a white dwarf (WD) and a companion of a spectral type earlier than M0. Here we consider main sequence (MS) companions, where the WD progenitor evolves in isolation, but its wind during the former asymptotic giant branch (AGB) phase pollutes the companion surface and transfers some angular momentum. They are rich laboratories to constrain stellar models and binary evolution. Aims. Within the SpHere INfrared survey for Exoplanet survey that uses the Spectro-Polarimetric High-contrast Exoplanet REsearch (SPHERE) instrument at the Very Large Telescope, our goal is to acquire high contrast multi-epoch observations of three Sirius-like systems, HD 2133, HD 114174, and CD-56 7708 and to combine this data with archive high resolution spectra of the primaries, TESS archive, and literature data. Methods. These WDs are easy targets for SPHERE and were used as spectrophotometric standards. We performed very accurate abundance analyses for the MS stars using methods considered for solar analogs. Whenever possible, WD parameters and orbits were obtained using Monte Carlo Markov chain methods. Results. We found brighter J and K magnitudes for HD 114174B than obtained previously and extended the photometry down to 0.95 μ m. Our new data indicate a higher temperature and then shorter cooling age (5.57 ± 0.02 Gyr) and larger mass (0.75 ± 0.03 M ⊙ ) for this WD than previously assumed. Together with the oldest age for the MS star connected to the use of the Gaia DR2 distance, this solved the discrepancy previously found with the age of the MS star. The two other WDs are less massive, indicating progenitors of ∼1.3 M ⊙ and 1.5 − 1.8 M ⊙ for HD 2133B and CD-56 7708B, respectively. In spite of the rather long periods, we were able to derive useful constraints on the orbit for HD 114174 and CD-56 7708. They are both seen close to edge-on, which is in agreement with the inclination of the MS stars that are obtained coupling the rotational periods, stellar radii, and the projected rotational velocity from spectroscopy. The composition of the MS stars agrees fairly well with expectations from pollution by the AGB progenitors of the WDs: HD 2133A has a small enrichment of n-capture elements, which is as expected for pollution by an AGB star with an initial mass 1.5 M ⊙ CD-56 7708A is a previously unrecognized mild Ba-star, which is also expected due to pollution by an AGB star with an initial mass in the range of 1.5 − 3.0 M ⊙ and HD 114174 has a very moderate excess of n-capture elements, which is in agreement with the expectation for a massive AGB star to have an initial mass 3.0 M ⊙ . Conclusions. On the other hand, none of these stars show the excesses of C that are expected to go along with those of n-capture elements. This might be related to the fact that these stars are at the edges of the mass range where we expect nucleosynthesis related to thermal pulses. More work, both theoretical and observational, is required to better understand this issue.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 28-07-2020
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 03-2019
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201834760
Abstract: Context. Young planets are expected to cause cavities, spirals, and kinematic perturbations in protostellar disks that may be used to infer their presence. However, a clear detection of still-forming planets embedded within gas-rich disks is still rare. Aims. HD 169142 is a very young Herbig Ae-Be star surrounded by a pre-transitional disk, composed of at least three rings. While claims of sub-stellar objects around this star have been made previously, follow-up studies remain inconclusive. The complex structure of this disk is not yet well understood. Methods. We used the high contrast imager SPHERE at ESO Very large Telescope to obtain a sequence of high-resolution, high-contrast images of the immediate surroundings of this star over about three years in the wavelength range 0.95–2.25 μ m. This enables a photometric and astrometric analysis of the structures in the disk. Results. While we were unable to definitively confirm the previous claims of a massive sub-stellar object at 0.1–0.15 arcsec from the star, we found both spirals and blobs within the disk. The spiral pattern may be explained as due to the presence of a primary, a secondary, and a tertiary arm excited by a planet of a few Jupiter masses lying along the primary arm, likely in the cavities between the rings. The blobs orbit the star consistently with Keplerian motion, allowing a dynamical determination of the mass of the star. While most of these blobs are located within the rings, we found that one of them lies in the cavity between the rings, along the primary arm of the spiral design. Conclusions. This blob might be due to a planet that might also be responsible for the spiral pattern observed within the rings and for the cavity between the two rings. The planet itself is not detected at short wavelengths, where we only see a dust cloud illuminated by stellar light, but the planetary photosphere might be responsible for the emission observed in the K 1 and K 2 bands. The mass ofthis putative planet may be constrained using photometric and dynamical arguments. While uncertainties are large, the mass should be between 1 and 4 Jupiter masses. The brightest blobs are found at the 1:2 resonance with this putative planet.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 13-03-2015
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 25-11-2021
Abstract: Using data from the GALAH survey, we explore the dependence of elemental abundances on stellar age and metallicity among Galactic disc stars. We find that the abundance of most elements can be predicted from age and [Fe/H] with an intrinsic scatter of about 0.03 dex. We discuss the possible causes for the existence of the abundance–age–metallicity relations. Using a stochastic chemical enrichment scheme that takes the volume of supernovae remnants into account, we show the intrinsic scatter is expected to be small, about 0.05 dex or even smaller if there is additional mixing in the ISM. Elemental abundances show trends with both age and metallicity and the relationship is well described by a simple model in which the dependence of abundance ([X/Fe]) on age and [Fe/H] are additively separable. Elements can be grouped based on the direction of their abundance gradient in the (age,[Fe/H]) plane and different groups can be roughly associated with three distinct nucleosynthetic production sites, the exploding massive stars, the exploding white dwarfs, and the AGB stars. However, the abundances of some elements, like Co, La, and Li, show large scatter for a given age and metallicity, suggesting processes other than simple Galactic chemical evolution are at play. We also compare the abundance trends of main-sequence turn-off (MSTO) stars against that of giants, whose ages were estimated using asteroseismic information from the K2 mission. For most elements, the trends of MSTO stars are similar to that of giants. The existence of abundance relations implies that we can estimate the age and birth radius of disc stars, which is important for studying the dynamic and chemical evolution of the Galaxy.
Publisher: SPIE
Date: 09-2076
DOI: 10.1117/12.2232757
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 26-05-2020
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 10-11-2018
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 06-2015
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 08-2019
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201935546
Abstract: Context. Jets are rarely associated with pre-main sequence intermediate-mass stars. This contrasts with the frequent detection of jets in lower mass or younger stars. Optical and near-IR observations of jet-driving sources are often hindered by the presence of a natal envelope. Aims. Jets around partly embedded sources are a useful diagnostic to constrain the geometry of the concealed protoplanetary disk. We intend to clarify how the jet-driving mechanisms are affected by both spatial anisotropies and episodic variations at the (sub-)au scale from the star. Methods. We obtained a rich set of high-contrast VLT/SPHERE observations from 0.6 to 2.2 μ m of the young intermediate-mass star RY Tau. Given the proximity to the Sun of this source, our images have the highest spatial resolution ever obtained for an atomic jet (down to ~4 au). Results. Optical observations in polarized light show no sign of the protoplanetary disk detected by ALMA. Instead, we observed a diffuse signal resembling a remnant envelope with an outflow cavity. The jet is detected in the H α , [S II ] at 1.03 μ m, He I at 1.08 μ m, and [Fe II ] lines in the 1.25 μ m and 1.64 μ m. The jet appears to be wiggling and its radial width increasing with the distance is complementary to the shape of the outflow cavity suggesting a strong interaction with jet and envelope. Through the estimated tangential velocity (~100 km s −1 ), we revealed a possible connection between the launching time of the jet substructures and the stellar activity of RY Tau. Conclusions. RY Tau is at an intermediate stage toward the dispersal of the natal envelope. This source shows episodic increases of mass accretion and ejection similarly to other known intermediate-mass stars. The amount of observed jet wiggle is consistent with the presence of a precessing disk warp or misaligned inner disk that would be induced by an unseen planetary or sub-stellar companion at sub- or few-au scales respectively. The high disk mass of RY Tau and of two other jet-driving intermediate-mass stars, HD 163296 and MWC480, suggests that massive, full disks are more efficient at launching prominent jets.
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Date: 22-12-2011
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 06-05-2015
DOI: 10.1093/MNRAS/STV770
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 26-11-2018
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 05-2022
Abstract: Extremely metal-poor (EMP) stars provide a valuable probe of early chemical enrichment in the Milky Way. Here we leverage a large s le of ∼600,000 high-resolution stellar spectra from the GALAH survey plus a machine-learning algorithm to find 54 candidates with estimated [Fe/H] ≤−3.0, six of which have [Fe/H] ≤−3.5. Our s le includes ∼20% main-sequence EMP candidates, unusually high for EMP star surveys. We find the magnitude-limited metallicity distribution function of our s le is consistent with previous work that used more complex selection criteria. The method we present has significant potential for application to the next generation of massive stellar spectroscopic surveys, which will expand the available spectroscopic data well into the millions of stars.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 16-05-2018
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Date: 2019
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 23-07-2019
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 24-07-2014
Publisher: SPIE
Date: 17-08-2016
DOI: 10.1117/12.2234131
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 25-01-2017
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 02-2022
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/202142438
Abstract: We present orbital fits and dynamical masses for HIP 113201AB and HIP 36985AB, two M1 + mid-M dwarf binary systems monitored as part of the SPHERE-SHINE survey. To robustly determine the age of both systems via gyrochronology, we undertook a photometric monitoring c aign for HIP 113201 and GJ 282AB, the two wide K star companions to HIP 36985, using the 40 cm Remote Observatory Atacama Desert telescope. Based on this monitoring and gyrochronological relationships, we adopt ages of 1.2 ± 0.1 Gyr for HIP 113201AB and 750 ± 100 Myr for HIP 36985AB. These systems are sufficiently old that we expect that all components of these binaries have reached the main sequence. To derive dynamical masses for all components of the HIP 113201AB and HIP 36985AB systems, we used parallel-tempering Markov chain Monte Carlo s ling to fit a combination of radial velocity, direct imaging, and Gaia and HIPPARCOS astrometry. Fitting the direct imaging and radial velocity data for HIP 113201 yields a primary mass of 0.54 ± 0.03 M ⊙ , fully consistent with its M1 spectral type, and a secondary mass of 0.145 ± M ⊙ . The secondary masses derived with and without including HIPPARCOS - Gaia data are all considerably more massive than the 0.1 M ⊙ mass estimated from the photometry of the companion. Thus, the dynamical impacts of this companion suggest that it is more massive than expected from its photometry. An undetected brown dwarf companion to HIP 113201B could be a natural explanation for this apparent discrepancy. At an age Gyr, a 30 M Jup companion to HIP 113201B would make a negligible ( %) contribution to the system luminosity but could have strong dynamical impacts. Fitting the direct imaging, radial velocity, and HIPPARCOS - Gaia proper motion anomaly for HIP 36985AB, we find a primary mass of 0.54 ± 0.01 M ⊙ and a secondary mass of 0.185 ± 0.001 M ⊙ , which agree well with photometric estimates of component masses, the masses estimated from M K – mass relationships for M dwarf stars, and previous dynamical masses in the literature.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 03-06-2020
Abstract: Accurate and precise radius estimates of transiting exoplanets are critical for understanding their compositions and formation mechanisms. To know the planet, we must know the host star in as much detail as possible. We present complete results for planet-candidate hosts from the K2-HERMES survey, which uses the HERMES multi-object spectrograph on the Anglo-Australian Telescope to obtain $R\\sim 28\\, 000$ spectra for more than 30 000 K2 stars. We present complete host-star parameters and planet-candidate radii for 224 K2 candidate planets from C1–C13. Our results cast severe doubt on 30 K2 candidates, as we derive unphysically large radii, larger than 2RJup. This work highlights the importance of obtaining accurate, precise, and self-consistent stellar parameters for ongoing large planet search programs – something that will only become more important in the coming years, as TESS begins to deliver its own harvest of exoplanets.
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 07-2021
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/202038806
Abstract: Context. Large surveys with new-generation high-contrast imaging instruments are needed to derive the frequency and properties of exoplanet populations with separations from ~5 to 300 au. A careful assessment of the stellar properties is crucial for a proper understanding of when, where, and how frequently planets form, and how they evolve. The sensitivity of detection limits to stellar age makes this a key parameter for direct imaging surveys. Aims. We describe the SpHere INfrared survey for Exoplanets (SHINE), the largest direct imaging planet-search c aign initiated at the VLT in 2015 in the context of the SPHERE Guaranteed Time Observations of the SPHERE consortium. In this first paper we present the selection and the properties of the complete s le of stars surveyed with SHINE, focusing on the targets observed during the first phase of the survey (from February 2015 to February 2017). This early s le composed of 150 stars is used to perform a preliminary statistical analysis of the SHINE data, deferred to two companion papers presenting the survey performance, main discoveries, and the preliminary statistical constraints set by SHINE. Methods. Based on a large database collecting the stellar properties of all young nearby stars in the solar vicinity (including kinematics, membership to moving groups, isochrones, lithium abundance, rotation, and activity), we selected the original s le of 800 stars that were ranked in order of priority according to their sensitivity for planet detection in direct imaging with SPHERE. The properties of the stars that are part of the early statistical s le wererevisited, including for instance measurements from the Gaia Data Release 2. Rotation periods were derived for the vast majority of the late-type objects exploiting TESS light curves and dedicated photometric observations. Results. The properties of in idual targets and of the s le as a whole are presented.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 27-02-2020
Abstract: We present the discovery of a white dwarf companion at ∼3.6 arcsec from GJ 3346, a nearby (π ∼ 42 mas) K star observed with SPHERE@VLT as part of an open time survey for faint companions to objects with significant proper motion discrepancies (Δμ) between Gaia DR1 and Tycho-2. Syrius-like systems like GJ 3346 AB, which include a main-sequence star and a white dwarf, can be difficult to detect because of the intrinsic faintness of the latter. They have, however, been found to be common contaminants for direct imaging (DI) searches. White dwarfs have in fact similar brightness to substellar companions in the infrared, while being much brighter in the visible bands like those used by Gaia. Combining our observations with Gaia DR2 and with several additional archival data sets, we were able to fully constrain the physical properties of GJ 3346 B, such as its effective temperature (11 × 103 ± 500 K) as well as the cooling age of the system (648 ± 58 Myr). This allowed us to better understand the system history and to partially explain the discrepancies previously noted in the age indicators for this object. Although further investigation is still needed, it seems that GJ 3346, which was previously classified as young, is in fact most likely to be older than 4 Gyr. Finally, given that the mass (0.58 ± 0.01 M⊙) and separation (85 au) of GJ 3346 B are compatible with the observed Δμ, this discovery represents a further confirmation of the potential of this kind of dynamical signatures as selection methods for DI surveys targeting faint, substellar companions.
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 26-02-2014
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 07-2012
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 2022
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/202142276
Abstract: Context. Gyrochronology is one of the methods currently used to estimate the age of stellar open clusters. Hundreds of new clusters, associations, and moving groups unveiled by Gaia and complemented by accurate rotation period measurements provided by recent space missions such as Kepler and TESS are allowing us to significantly improve the reliability of this method. Aims. We use gyrochronology, that is, the calibrated age-mass-rotation relation valid for low-mass stars, to measure the age of the recently discovered moving group Group X. Methods. We extracted the light curves of all candidate members from the TESS full frame images and measured their rotation periods using different period search methods. Results. We measured the rotation period of 168 of a total of 218 stars and compared their period-colour distribution with those of two age-benchmark clusters, the Pleiades (125 Myr) and Praesepe (625 Myr), as well as with the recently characterised open cluster NGC 3532 (300 Myr). Conclusions. As result of our analysis, we derived a gyro age of 300 ± 60 Myr. We also applied as independent methods the fitting of the entire isochrone and of the three brightest candidate members in idually with the most precise stellar parameters, deriving comparable values of 250 Myr and 290 Myr, respectively. Our dating of Group X allows us to definitively rule out the previously proposed connection with the nearby but much older Coma Berenices cluster.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 26-02-2010
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 31-01-2020
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201937055
Abstract: Context. Open clusters are recognised as excellent tracers of Galactic thin-disc properties. At variance with intermediate-age and old open clusters, for which a significant number of studies is now available, clusters younger than ≲150 Myr have been mostly overlooked in terms of their chemical composition until recently (with few exceptions). On the other hand, previous investigations seem to indicate an anomalous behaviour of young clusters, which includes (but is not limited to) slightly sub-solar iron (Fe) abundances and extreme, unexpectedly high barium (Ba) enhancements. Aims. In a series of papers, we plan to expand our understanding of this topic and investigate whether these chemical peculiarities are instead related to abundance analysis techniques. Methods. We present a new determination of the atmospheric parameters for 23 dwarf stars observed by the Gaia -ESO survey in five young open clusters ( τ 150 Myr) and one star-forming region (NGC 2264). We exploit a new method based on titanium (Ti) lines to derive the spectroscopic surface gravity, and most importantly, the microturbulence parameter. A combination of Ti and Fe lines is used to obtain effective temperatures. We also infer the abundances of Fe I , Fe II , Ti I , Ti II , Na I , Mg I , Al I , Si I , Ca I , Cr I , and Ni I . Results. Our findings are in fair agreement with Gaia -ESO iDR5 results for effective temperatures and surface gravities, but suggest that for very young stars, the microturbulence parameter is over-estimated when Fe lines are employed. This affects the derived chemical composition and causes the metal content of very young clusters to be under-estimated. Conclusions. Our clusters display a metallicity [Fe/H] between +0.04 ± 0.01 and +0.12 ± 0.02 they are not more metal poor than the Sun. Although based on a relatively small s le size, our explorative study suggests that we may not need to call for ad hoc explanations to reconcile the chemical composition of young open clusters with Galactic chemical evolution models.
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 04-2019
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201935031
Abstract: Context. The 51 Eridani system harbors a complex architecture with its primary star forming a hierarchical system with the binary GJ 3305AB at a projected separation of 2000 au, a giant planet orbiting the primary star at 13 au, and a low-mass debris disk around the primary star with possible cold and warm components inferred from the spectral energy distribution. Aims. We aim to better constrain the orbital parameters of the known giant planet. Methods. We monitored the system over three years from 2015 to 2018 with the Spectro-Polarimetric High-contrast Exoplanet REsearch (SPHERE) instrument at the Very Large Telescope (VLT). Results. We measure an orbital motion for the planet of ~130 mas with a slightly decreasing separation (~10 mas) and find a hint of curvature. This potential curvature is further supported at 3 σ significance when including literature Gemini Planet Imager (GPI) astrometry corrected for calibration systematics. Fits of the SPHERE and GPI data using three complementary approaches provide broadly similar results. The data suggest an orbital period of 32 −9 +17 yr (i.e., 12 −2 +4 au in semi-major axis), an inclination of 133 −7 +14 deg, an eccentricity of 0.45 −0.15 +0.10 , and an argument of periastron passage of 87 −30 +34 deg [mod 180°]. The time at periastron passage and the longitude of node exhibit bimodal distributions because we do not yet detect whether the planet is accelerating or decelerating along its orbit. Given the inclinations of the orbit and of the stellar rotation axis (134–144°), we infer alignment or misalignment within 18° for the star–planet spin-orbit. Further astrometric monitoring in the next 3–4 yr is required to confirm at a higher significance the curvature in the motion of the planet, determine if the planet is accelerating or decelerating on its orbit, and further constrain its orbital parameters and the star–planet spin-orbit.
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 29-10-2015
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 25-11-2019
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201936764
Abstract: Context. PDS 70 is a young (5.4 Myr), nearby (~113 pc) star hosting a known transition disk with a large gap. Recent observations with SPHERE and NACO in the near-infrared (NIR) allowed us to detect a planetary mass companion, PDS 70 b, within the disk cavity. Moreover, observations in H α with MagAO and MUSE revealed emission associated to PDS 70 b and to another new companion candidate, PDS 70 c, at a larger separation from the star. PDS 70 is the only multiple planetary system at its formation stage detected so far through direct imaging. Aims. Our aim is to confirm the discovery of the second planet PDS 70 c using SPHERE at VLT, to further characterize its physical properties, and search for additional point sources in this young planetary system. Methods. We re-analyzed archival SPHERE NIR observations and obtained new data in Y, J, H and K spectral bands for a total of four different epochs. The data were reduced using the data reduction and handling pipeline and the SPHERE data center. We then applied custom routines (e.g., ANDROMEDA and PACO) to subtract the starlight. Results. We re-detect both PDS 70 b and c and confirm that PDS 70 c is gravitationally bound to the star. We estimate this second planet to be less massive than 5 M Jup and with a T eff around 900 K. Also, it has a low gravity with log g between 3.0 and 3.5 dex. In addition, a third object has been identified at short separation (~0.12′′) from the star and gravitationally bound to the star. Its spectrum is however very blue, meaning that we are probably seeing stellar light reflected by dust and our analysis seems to demonstrate that it is a feature of the inner disk. We cannot however completely exclude the possibility that it is a planetary mass object enshrouded by a dust envelope. In this latter case, its mass should be of the order of a few tens of M ⊕ . Moreover, we propose a possible structure for the planetary system based on our data, and find that this structure cannot be stable on a long timescale.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 08-2018
DOI: 10.1017/S1743921318005100
Abstract: Using abundances from the available largest, homogeneous s le of high resolution Barium (Ba) star spectra we calculated the ratios of different hs-like to ls-like elemental ratios and compared to different AGB nucleosynthesis models. The Ba star data show an incontestable increase of the hs-type/ls-type element ratio (for ex le, [Ce/Y]) with decreasing metallicity. This trend in the Ba star observations is predicted by low mass, non-rotating AGB models where 13 C is the main neutron source and is in agreement with Kepler asteroseismology observations.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 28-12-2012
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 27-02-2018
DOI: 10.1093/MNRAS/STY525
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 22-01-2019
DOI: 10.1093/MNRAS/STZ217
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 04-2017
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 26-09-2011
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 03-05-2013
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 07-2020
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/202037605
Abstract: Context. Recent high-contrast imaging surveys, using the Spectro-Polarimetic High contrast imager for Exoplanets REsearch (SPHERE) or the Gemini Planet Imager in search of planets in young, nearby systems, have shown evidence of a small number of giant planets at relatively large separation beyond 10–30 au, where those surveys are the most sensitive. Access to smaller physical separations between 5 and 30 au is the next step for future planet imagers on 10 m telescopes and the next generation of extremely large telescopes in order to bridge the gap with indirect techniques such as radial velocity, transit, and soon astrometry with Gaia . In addition to new technologies and instruments, the development of innovative observing strategies combined with optimized data processing tools is participating in the improvement of detection capabilities at very close angular separation. In that context, we recently proposed a new algorithm, Keplerian-Stacker, which combines multiple observations acquired at different epochs and takes into account the orbital motion of a potential planet present in the images to boost the ultimate detection limit. We showed that this algorithm is able to find planets in time series of simulated images of the SPHERE InfraRed Dual-band Imager and Spectrograph (IRDIS) even when a planet remains undetected at one epoch. Aims. Our goal is to test and validate the K-Stacker algorithm performances on real SPHERE datasets to demonstrate the resilience of this algorithm to instrumental speckles and the gain offered in terms of true detection. This will motivate future dedicated multi-epoch observation c aigns of well-chosen, young, nearby systems and very nearby stars carefully selected to search for planets in emitted and reflected light, respectively, to open a new path concerning the observing strategy used with current and future planet imagers. Methods. To test K-Stacker, we injected fake planets and scanned the low signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) regime in a series of raw observations obtained by the SPHERE/IRDIS instrument in the course of the SPHERE High-contrast ImagiNg survey for Exoplanets. We also considered the cases of two specific targets intensively monitored during this c aign: β Pictoris and HD 95086. For each target and epoch, the data were reduced using standard angular differential imaging processing techniques and then recombined with K-Stacker to recover the fake planetary signals. In addition, the known exoplanets β Pictoris b and HD 95086 b previously identified at lower S/N in single epochs have also been recovered by K-Stacker. Results. We show that K-Stacker achieves a high success rate of ≈100% when the S/N of the planet in the stacked image reaches ≈9. The improvement of the S/N is given as the square root of the total exposure time contained in the data being combined. At S ∕ N 6−7, the number of false positives is high near the coronagraphic mask, but a chromatic study or astrophysical criteria can help to disentangle between a bright speckle and a true detection. During the blind test and the redetection of HD 95086 b, and β Pic b, we highlightthe ability of K-Stacker to find orbital solutions consistent with those derived by the current Markov chain Monte Carlo orbital fitting techniques. This confirms that in addition to the detection gain, K-Stacker offers the opportunity to characterize the most probable orbital solutions of the exoplanets recovered at low S/N.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 12-04-2012
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 08-2022
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/202243467
Abstract: Context. Exoplanetary properties strongly depend on stellar properties: to know the planet with accuracy and precision it is necessary to know the star as accurately and precisely as possible. Aims. Our immediate aim is to characterize in a homogeneous and accurate way a s le of 27 transiting planet-hosting stars observed within the Global Architecture of Planetary System program. For the wide visual binary XO-2, we considered both components (N: hosting a transiting planet S: without a known transiting planet). Our final goal is to widely analyze the s le by deriving several stellar properties, abundances of many elements, kinematic parameters, and discuss them in the context of planetary formation. Methods. We determined the stellar parameters (effective temperature, surface gravity, rotational velocity) and abundances of 26 elements (Li, C, N, O, Na, Mg, Al, Si, S, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Fe, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Y, Zr, Ba, La, Nd, Eu). Our study is based on high-resolution HARPS-N at TNG and FEROS at ESO spectra and uniform techniques. Depending on stellar parameters and chemical elements, we used line equivalent widths or spectral synthesis methods. We derived kinematic properties taking advantage of Gaia data and for the first time in exoplanet host stars we estimated ages using elemental ratios as chemical clocks. Results. The effective temperature of our stars is ~4400–6700 K, while the iron abundance [Fe/H] is within −0.3 and 0.4 dex. Lithium is present in seven stars. The [X/H] and [X/Fe] abundances versus [Fe/H] are consistent with the Galactic chemical evolution. The dependence of [X/Fe] with the condensation temperature is critically analyzed with respect to stellar and kinematic properties. All targets with measured C and O abundances show C/O 0.8, compatible with Si present in rock-forming minerals. Mean C/O and [C/O] values are slightly lower than for the Sun. Most of targets show 1.0 Mg/Si 1.5, compatible with Mg distributed between olivine and pyroxene, and mean Mg/Si lower than for the Sun. HAT-P-26, the target hosting the lowest-mass planet, shows the highest Mg/Si ratio. From our chemodynamical analysis we find agreement between ages and position within the Galactic disk. Finally, we note a tendency for higher-density planets to be around metal-rich stars and hints of higher stellar abundances of some volatiles (e.g., O) for lower-mass planets. We cannot exclude that part of our results could be also related to the location of the stars within the Galactic disk. Conclusions. We try to trace the planetary migration scenario from the composition of the planets related to the chemical composition of the hosting stars. This kind of study will be useful for upcoming space mission data to get more insights into the formation-migration mechanisms.
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 10-2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 07-07-2018
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 09-2010
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 05-2006
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 09-2017
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 09-2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 20-04-2016
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 05-2014
DOI: 10.1017/S1743921313006522
Abstract: HERMES is a new high-resolution multi-object spectrograph on the Anglo Australian Telescope. The primary science driver for HERMES is the GALAH survey, GALactic Archaeology with HERMES. We are planning a spectroscopic survey of about a million stars, aimed at using chemical tagging techniques to reconstruct the star-forming aggregates that built up the disk, the bulge and halo of the Galaxy. This project will benefit greatly from the stellar distances and transverse motions from the Gaia mission.
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 2020
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201936651
Abstract: Context. Open clusters exquisitely track the Galactic disc chemical properties and its time evolution a substantial number of studies and large spectroscopic surveys focus mostly on the chemical content of relatively old clusters (age ≳ 1 Gyr). Interestingly, the less studied young counterpart populating the solar surrounding has been found to be solar (at most), with a notable surprising lack of young metal-rich objects. While there is wide consensus about the moderately above-solar composition of the Hyades cluster, the metallicity of Praesepe is still controversial. Recent studies suggest that these two clusters share identical chemical composition and age, but this conclusion is disputed. Aims. With the aim of reassessing the metallicity of Praesepe, and its difference (if any) with the Hyades cluster, we present in this paper a spectroscopic investigation of ten solar-type dwarf members. Methods. We exploited GIARPS at the TNG to acquire high-resolution, high-quality optical and near-IR spectra and derived stellar parameters, metallicity ([Fe/H]), light elements, α - and iron-peak elements, by using a strictly differential (line-by-line) approach. We also analysed in the very same way the solar spectrum and the Hyades solar analogue HD 28099. Results. Our findings suggest that Praesepe is more metal-rich than the Hyades, at the level of Δ[Fe/H] = +0.05 ± 0.01 dex, with a mean value of [Fe/H] = +0.21 ± 0.01 dex. All the other elements scale with iron, as expected. This result seems to reject the hypothesis of a common origin for these two open clusters. Most importantly, Praesepe is currently the most metal-rich, young open cluster living in the solar neighbourhood.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 21-05-2013
DOI: 10.1093/MNRAS/STT728
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 2014
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 09-2013
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 11-2009
DOI: 10.1017/S1743921310004060
Abstract: The determination of lithium (Li) abundances in Globular Clusters (GCs), along with proton-capture elements (Na, O, Mg, Al), offer a key tool to address the pollution scenario and its mechanisms, the dilution process acting within each star and the first phases in the lifetime of GCs. We present our results on Na, O and Li abundance determination in a large s le of dwarf stars in the GC 47 Tucanae (NGC 104). While we found a clear Na-O anti-correlation, in perfect agreement with giant members by Carretta et al . (2009a, b), Li abundance appears neither positively correlated with oxygen, nor anti-correlated with sodium. Our finding unveils an intrinsic scatter in Li content, independent of intra-cluster pollution by a first generation of more massive, faster evolving stars.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 05-08-2010
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 12-2012
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 13-08-2018
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 24-08-2018
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 09-2010
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 24-01-2018
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 07-2010
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 07-2018
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201732324
Abstract: We observed a s le of 90 red giant branch (RGB) stars in NGC 2808 using FLAMES/GIRAFFE and the high resolution grating with the set-up HR21. These stars have previous accurate atmospheric parameters and abundances of light elements. We derived aluminium abundances for them from the strong doublet Al i 8772–8773 Å as in previous works of our group. In addition, we were able to estimate the relative CN abundances for 89 of the stars from the strength of a large number of CN features. When adding self-consistent abundances from previous UVES spectra analysed by our team, we gathered [Al/Fe] ratios for a total of 108 RGB stars in NGC 2808. The full dataset of proton-capture elements is used to explore in detail the five spectroscopically detected discrete components in this globular cluster. We found that various classes of polluters are required to reproduce (anti)-correlations among all proton-capture elements in the populations P2, I1, and I2 with intermediate composition. This is in agreement with the detection of lithium in lower RGB second generation stars, requiring at least two kind of polluters. For chemically homogeneous populations, the best sub ision of our s le is into six components as derived from statistical cluster analysis. By comparing different diagrams [element/Fe] versus [element/Fe], we show for the first time that a simple dilution model is not able to reproduce all the subpopulations in this cluster. Polluters of different masses are required. NGC 2808 is confirmed to be a tough challenge to any scenario for globular cluster formation.
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 11-2011
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 06-01-2011
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 12-2020
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/202039478
Abstract: Context. Most of our current knowledge on planet formation is still based on the analysis of main sequence, solar-type stars. Conversely, detailed chemical studies of large s les of M dwarfs hosting planets are still missing. Aims. Correlations exist between the presence of different types of planets around FGK stars and metallicity, in idual chemical abundance, and stellar mass. We aim to test whether or not these correlations still hold for the less-massive M dwarf stars. Methods to determine stellar abundances of M dwarfs from high-resolution optical spectra in a consistent way are still missing. The present work is a first attempt to fill this gap. Methods. We analyse a large s le of M dwarfs with and without known planetary companions in a coherent and homogeneous way. We develop for the first time a methodology to determine stellar abundances of elements other than iron for M dwarf stars from high-resolution optical spectra. Our methodology is based on the use of a principal component analysis and sparse Bayesian methods. We made use of a set of M dwarfs orbiting around an FGK primary with known abundances to train our methods. We applied our methods to derive stellar metalliticies and abundances of a large s le of M dwarfs observed within the framework of current radial-velocity surveys. We then used a s le of nearby FGK stars to cross-validate our technique by comparing the derived abundance trends in the M dwarf s le with those found on the FGK stars. Results. The metallicity distribution of the different subs les reveals a correlation between the metallicities of M dwarfs and their probability of hosting giant planets. We also find a correlation between this latter probability and stellar mass. M dwarfs hosting low-mass planets do not seem to follow the so-called planet–metallicity correlation. We also find that the frequency of low-mass planets does not depend on the mass of the stellar host. These results appear to be in agreement with those of previous works. However, we note that for giant-planet hosts our metallicities predict a weaker planet–host metallicity correlation but a stronger mass-dependency than corresponding values derived from photometric results. We show for the first time that there seems to be no differences between M dwarfs with and without known planets in terms of their abundance distributions of elements different from iron. Conclusions. Our data show that low-mass stars with planets follow the same metallicity, mass, and abundance trends as their FGK counterparts, which are usually explained within the framework of core-accretion models.
Publisher: SPIE
Date: 08-07-2014
DOI: 10.1117/12.2055595
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 11-09-2013
Publisher: SPIE
Date: 06-07-2018
DOI: 10.1117/12.2309786
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 04-11-2019
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 29-10-2012
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 30-05-2013
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 12-2018
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201834079
Abstract: Context. Barium (Ba) stars are dwarf and giant stars enriched in elements heavier than iron produced by the slow neutron-capture process ( s process). These stars belong to binary systems in which the primary star evolved through the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) phase. During this phase the primary star produced s -process elements and transferred them onto the secondary, which is now observed as a Ba star. Aims. We compare the largest homogeneous set of Ba giant star observations of the s -process elements Y, Zr, La, Ce, and Nd with AGB nucleosynthesis models to reach a better understanding of the s process in AGB stars. Methods. By considering the light- s (ls: Y and Zr) heavy- s (hs: La, Ce, and Nd) and elements in idually, we computed for the first time quantitative error bars for the different hs-element to ls-element abundance ratios, and for each of the s le stars. We compared these ratios to low-mass AGB nucleosynthesis models. We excluded La from our analysis because the strong La lines in some of the s le stars cause an overestimation and unreliable abundance determination, as compared to the other observed hs-type elements. Results. All the computed hs-type to ls-type element ratios show a clear trend of increasing with decreasing metallicity with a small spread (less than a factor of 3). This trend is predicted by low-mass AGB models in which 13 C is the main neutron source. The comparison with rotating AGB models indicates the need for the presence of an angular momentum transport mechanism that should not transport chemical species, but significantly reduces the rotational speed of the core in the advanced stellar evolutionary stages. This is an independent confirmation of asteroseismology observations of the slow down of core rotation in giant stars, and of rotational velocities of white dwarfs lower than predicted by models without an extra angular momentum transport mechanism.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 06-2020
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 02-12-2021
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 06-2010
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 05-04-2018
DOI: 10.1093/MNRAS/STY865
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 03-2023
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/202245261
Abstract: We characterize twelve young stellar objects (YSOs) located in the Lupus I region, spatially overlapping with the Upper Centaurus Lupus (UCL) sub-stellar association. The aim of this study is to understand whether the Lupus I cloud has more members than what has been claimed so far in the literature and gain a deeper insight into the global properties of the region. We selected our targets using the Gaia DR2 catalog based on their consistent kinematic properties with the Lupus I bona fide members. In our s le of twelve YSOs observed by X-shooter, we identified ten Lupus I members. We could not determine the membership status of two of our targets, namely Gaia DR2 6014269268967059840 and 2MASS J15361110-3444473 due to technical issues. We found out that four of our targets are accretors, among them, 2MASS J15551027-3455045, with a mass of ∼0.03 M ⊙ , is one of the least massive accretors in the Lupus complex identified to date. Several of our targets (including accretors) are formed in situ and off-cloud with respect to the main filaments of Lupus I hence, our study may hint that there are diffused populations of M dwarfs around Lupus I main filaments. In this context, we would like to emphasize that our kinematic analysis with Gaia catalogs played a key role in identifying the new members of the Lupus I cloud.
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 22-11-2019
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201936707
Abstract: Context. We present a detailed analysis of the extended structure detected around the young and close-by Herbig Ae/Be star R CrA. This is a young triple system with an intermediate mass central binary whose separation is of the order of a few tens of the radii of the in idual components, and an M-star companion at about 30 au. Aims. Our aim is to understand the nature of the extended structure by means of combining integral-field and high-resolution spectroscopy. Methods. We conducted the analysis based on FEROS archival optical spectroscopy data and adaptive optics images and integral-field spectra obtained with SINFONI and SPHERE at the VLT. Results. The observations reveal a complex extended structure that is composed of at least two components: a non-uniform wide cavity whose walls are detected in continuum emission up to 400 au, and a collimated wiggling-jet detected in the emission lines of helium and hydrogen. Moreover, the presence of [Fe II ] emission projected close to the cavity walls suggests the presence of a slower moving wind, most likely a disk wind. The multiple components of the optical forbidden lines also indicate the presence of a high-velocity jet co-existing with a slow wind. We constructed a geometrical model of the collimated jet flowing within the cavity using intensity and velocity maps, finding that its wiggling is consistent with the orbital period of the central binary. The cavity and the jet do not share the same position angle, suggesting that the jet is itself experiencing a precession motion possibly due to the wide M-dwarf companion. Conclusions. We propose a scenario that closely agrees with the general expectation of a magneto-centrifugal-launched jet. These results build upon the extensive studies already conducted on R CrA.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 17-10-2017
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 22-01-2013
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 18-11-2015
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 07-2023
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/202244611
Abstract: Context. Transiting planets around young stars are key benchmarks for our understanding of planetary systems. One such candidate, TOI-179, was identified around the K dwarf HD 18599 by TESS. Aims. We present the confirmation of the transiting planet and the characterization of the host star and of the TOI-179 system over a broad range of angular separations. Methods. We exploited the TESS photometric time series, intensive radial velocity monitoring performed with HARPS, and deep high-contrast imaging observations obtained with SPHERE and NACO at VLT. The inclusion of Gaussian process regression analysis was effective to properly model the magnetic activity of the star and identify the Keplerian signature of the transiting planet. Results. The star, with an age of 400±100 Myr, is orbited by a transiting planet with period 4.137436 days, mass 24±7 M ⊕ , radius 2.62 −0.12 +0.15 R ⊕ , and significant eccentricity (0.34 −0.09 +0.07 ). Adaptive optics observations identified a low-mass companion at the boundary between brown dwarfs and very low-mass stars (mass derived from luminosity 83 −6 +4 M J ) at a very small projected separation (84.5 mas, 3.3 au at the distance of the star). Coupling the imaging detection with the long-term radial velocity trend and the astrometric signature, we constrained the orbit of the low-mass companion, identifying two families of possible orbital solutions. Conclusions. The TOI-179 system represents a high-merit laboratory for our understanding of the physical evolution of planets and other low-mass objects and of how the planet properties are influenced by dynamical effects and interactions with the parent star.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 02-11-2018
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 25-09-2013
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 12-2017
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201731003
Abstract: Aims. In this paper we present the results of the SPHERE observation of the HD 284149 system, aimed at a more detailed characterisation of both the primary and its brown dwarf companion. Methods. We observed HD 284149 in the near-infrared with SPHERE, using the imaging mode (IRDIS+IFS) and the long-slit spectroscopy mode (IRDIS-LSS). The data were reduced using the dedicated SPHERE pipeline, and algorithms such as PCA and TLOCI were applied to reduce the speckle pattern. Results. The IFS images revealed a previously unknown low-mass (~0.16 M ⊙ ) stellar companion ( HD 294149 B) at ~0.1′′, compatible with previously observed radial velocity differences, as well as proper motion differences between Gaia and Tycho -2 measurements. The known brown dwarf companion ( HD 284149 b) is clearly visible in the IRDIS images. This allowed us to refine both its photometry and astrometry. The analysis of the medium resolution IRDIS long slit spectra also allowed a refinement of temperature and spectral type estimates. A full reassessment of the age and distance of the system was also performed, leading to more precise values of both mass and semi-major axis. Conclusions. As a result of this study, HD 284149 ABb therefore becomes the latest addition to the (short) list of brown dwarfs on wide circumbinary orbits, providing new evidence to support recent claims that object in such configuration occur with a similar frequency to wide companions to single stars.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 04-2010
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 11-2019
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201732454
Abstract: Context. The study of high-contrast imaged brown dwarfs and exoplanets depends strongly on evolutionary models. To estimate the mass of a directly imaged substellar object, its extracted photometry or spectrum is used and adjusted with model spectra together with the estimated age of the system. These models still need to be properly tested and constrained. HD 4747B is a brown dwarf close to the H burning mass limit, orbiting a nearby ( d = 19.25 ± 0.58 pc), solar-type star (G9V) it has been observed with the radial velocity method for over almost two decades. Its companion was also recently detected by direct imaging, allowing a complete study of this particular object. Aims. We aim to fully characterize HD 4747B by combining a well-constrained dynamical mass and a study of its observed spectral features in order to test evolutionary models for substellar objects and to characterize its atmosphere. Methods. We combined the radial velocity measurements of High Resolution Echelle Spectrometer (HIRES) and CORALIE taken over two decades and high-contrast imaging of several epochs from NACO, NIRC2, and SPHERE to obtain a dynamical mass. From the SPHERE data we obtained a low-resolution spectrum of the companion from Y to H band, and two narrow band-width photometric measurements in the K band. A study of the primary star also allowed us to constrain the age of the system and its distance. Results. Thanks to the new SPHERE epoch and NACO archival data combined with previous imaging data and high-precision radial velocity measurements, we were able to derive a well-constrained orbit. The high eccentricity ( e = 0.7362 ± 0.0025) of HD 4747B is confirmed, and the inclination and the semi-major axis are derived ( i = 47.3 ± 1.6°, a = 10.01 ± 0.21 au). We derive a dynamical mass of m B = 70.0 ± 1.6 M Jup , which is higher than a previous study but in better agreement with the models. By comparing the object with known brown dwarfs spectra, we derive a spectral type of L9 and an effective temperature of 1350 ± 50 K. With a retrieval analysis we constrain the oxygen and carbon abundances and compare them with the values from the HR 8799 planets.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 21-05-2019
Abstract: The latest Gaia data release enables us to accurately identify stars that are more luminous than would be expected on the basis of their spectral type and distance. During an investigation of the 329 best solar twin candidates uncovered among the spectra acquired by the GALAH survey, we identified 64 such overluminous stars. In order to investigate their exact composition, we developed a data-driven methodology that can generate a synthetic photometric signature and spectrum of a single star. By combining multiple such synthetic stars into an unresolved binary or triple system and comparing the results to the actual photometric and spectroscopic observations, we uncovered 6 definitive triple stellar system candidates and an additional 14 potential candidates whose combined spectrum mimics the solar spectrum. Considering the volume correction factor for a magnitude-limited survey, the fraction of probable unresolved triple stars with long orbital periods is ∼2 per cent. Possible orbital configurations of the candidates were investigated using the selection and observational limits. To validate the discovered multiplicity fraction, the same procedure was used to evaluate the multiplicity fraction of other stellar types.
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 10-2011
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 07-2020
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/202037984
Abstract: Context. Detecting and characterizing substellar companions for which the luminosity, mass, and age can be determined independently is of utter importance to test and calibrate the evolutionary models due to uncertainties in their formation mechanisms. HD 19467 is a bright and nearby star hosting a cool brown dwarf companion detected with radial velocities and imaging, making it a valuable object for such studies. Aims. We aim to further characterize the orbital, spectral, and physical properties of the HD 19467 system. Methods. We present new high-contrast imaging data with the SPHERE and NaCo instruments. We also analyze archival data from the instruments HARPS, NaCo, HIRES, UVES, and ASAS. Furthermore, we use proper motion data of the star from H IPPARCOS and Gaia . Results. We refined the properties of the host star and derived an age of 8.0 +2.0 −1.0 Gyr based on isochrones, gyrochronology, and chemical and kinematic arguments. This age estimate is slightly younger than previous age estimates of ~9–11 Gyr based on isochrones. No orbital curvature is seen in the current imaging, radial velocity, and astrometric data. From a joint fit of the data, we refined the orbital parameters for HD 19467B, including: a period of 398 +95 −93 yr, an inclination of 129.8 +8.1 −5.1 deg, an eccentricity of 0.56 ± 0.09, a longitude of the ascending node of 134.8 ± 4.5 deg, and an argument of the periastron of 64.2 +5.5 −6.3 deg. We assess a dynamical mass of 74 +12 −9 M J . The fit with atmospheric models of the spectrophotometric data of the companion indicates an atmosphere without clouds or with very thin clouds, an effective temperature of 1042 +77 −71 K, and a high surface gravity of 5.34 +0.8 −0.9 dex. The comparison to model predictions of the bolometric luminosity and dynamical mass of HD 19467B, assuming our system age estimate, indicates a better agreement with the Burrows et al. (1997, ApJ, 491, 856) models whereas, the other evolutionary models used tend to underestimate its cooling rate.
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 06-2020
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/202037594
Abstract: Context. Proxima Centauri is the closest star to the Sun and it is known to host an Earth-like planet in its habitable zone very recently a second candidate planet was proposed based on radial velocities. At quadrature, the expected projected separation of this new candidate is larger than 1 arcsec, making it a potentially interesting target for direct imaging. Aims. While identification of the optical counterpart of this planet is expected to be very difficult, successful identification would allow for a detailed characterization of the closest planetary system. Methods. We searched for a counterpart in SPHERE images acquired over four years through the SHINE survey. In order to account for the expected large orbital motion of the planet, we used a method that assumes the circular orbit obtained from radial velocities and exploits the sequence of observations acquired close to quadrature in the orbit. We checked this with a more general approach that considers Keplerian motion, called K-stacker. Results. We did not obtain a clear detection. The best candidate has signal-to-noise ratio ( S ∕ N ) = 6.1 in the combined image. A statistical test suggests that the probability that this detection is due to random fluctuation of noise is %, but this result depends on the assumption that the distribution of noise is uniform over the image, a fact that is likely not true. The position of this candidate and the orientation of its orbital plane fit well with observations in the ALMA 12 m array image. However, the astrometric signal expected from the orbit of the candidate we detected is 3 σ away from the astrometric motion of Proxima as measured from early Gaia data. This, together with the unexpectedly high flux associated with our direct imaging detection, means we cannot confirm that our candidate is indeed Proxima c. Conclusions. On the other hand, if confirmed, this would be the first observation in imaging of a planet discovered from radial velocities and the second planet (after Fomalhaut b) of reflecting circumplanetary material. Further confirmation observations should be done as soon as possible.
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 02-2019
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201833990
Abstract: Aims. HD 142527 is one of the most frequently studied Herbig Ae/Be stars with a transitional disk that hosts a large cavity that is up to about 100 au in radius. For this reason, it has been included in the guaranteed time observation (GTO) SpHere INfrared survey for Exoplanets (SHINE) as part of the Spectro-Polarimetric High-contrast Exoplanet REsearch (SPHERE) at the Very Large Telescope (VLT) in order to search for low-mass companions that might explain the presence of the gap. SHINE is a large survey within about 600 young nearby stars are observed with SPHERE with the aim to constrain the occurrence and orbital properties of the giant planet population at large ( 5 au) orbital separation around young stars. Methods. We used the IRDIFS observing mode of SPHERE (IRDIS short for infrared dual imaging and spectrograph plus IFS or integral field spectrograph) without any coronagraph in order to search for and characterize companions as close as 30 mas of the star. Furthermore, we present the first observations that ever used the sparse aperture mask (SAM) for SPHERE both in IRDIFS and IRDIFS_EXT modes. All the data were reduced using the dedicated SPHERE pipeline and dedicated algorithms that make use of the principal component analysis (PCA) and reference differential imaging (RDI) techniques. Results. We detect the accreting low–mass companion HD 142527B at a separation of 73 mas (11.4 au) from the star. No other companions with mass greater than 10 M J are visible in the field of view of IFS (∼100 au centered on the star) or in the IRDIS field of view (∼400 au centered on the star). Measurements from IFS, SAM IFS, and IRDIS suggest an M6 spectral type for HD 142527B, with an uncertainty of one spectral subtype, compatible with an object of M = 0.11 ± 0.06 M ⊙ and R = 0.15 ± 0.07 R ⊙ . The determination of the mass remains a challenge using contemporary evolutionary models, as they do not account for the energy input due to accretion from infalling material. We consider that the spectral type of the secondary may also be earlier than the type we derived from IFS spectra. From dynamical considerations, we further constrain the mass to 0.26 +0.16 −0.14 M ⊙ , which is consistent with both our spectroscopic analysis and the values reported in the literature. Following previous methods, the lower and upper dynamical mass values correspond to a spectral type between M2.5 and M5.5 for the companion. By fitting the astrometric points, we find the following orbital parameters: a period of P = 35 − 137 yr an inclination of i = 121 − 130°, a value of Ω = 124 − 135° for the longitude of node, and an 68% confidence interval of ∼18 − 57 au for the separation at periapsis. Eccentricity and time at periapsis passage exhibit two groups of values: ∼0.2–0.45 and ∼0.45–0.7 for e , and ∼2015–2020 and ∼2020–2022 for T 0 . While these orbital parameters might at first suggest that HD 142527B is not the companion responsible for the outer disk truncation, a previous hydrodynamical analysis of this system showed that they are compatible with a companion that is able to produce the large cavity and other observed features.
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 15-02-2016
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 09-2016
Abstract: Stellar models provide a vital basis for many aspects of astronomy and astro‐physics. Recent advances in observational astronomy – through asteroseismology, precision photometry, high‐resolution spectroscopy, and large‐scale surveys – are placing stellar models under greater quantitative scrutiny than ever. The model limitations are being exposed and the next generation of stellar models is needed as soon as possible. The current uncertainties in the models propagate to the later phases of stellar evolution, hindering our understanding of stellar populations and chemical evolution. Here we give a brief overview of the evolution, importance, and substantial uncertainties of core helium burning stars in particular and then briefly discuss a range of methods, both theoretical and observational, that we are using to advance the modelling.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 19-03-2010
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 13-08-2018
Publisher: SPIE
Date: 27-07-2016
DOI: 10.1117/12.2232792
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 23-08-2018
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 13-03-2013
DOI: 10.1093/MNRAS/STT153
Publisher: IOP Publishing
Date: 05-01-2016
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 13-12-2018
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 05-2019
DOI: 10.1017/S1743921319006616
Abstract: Variable stars are good stellar tracers. Among various variables, Miras have long periods and are at the evolutionary phase of asymptotic giant branch. Their low effective temperatures lead to a difficulty to determine their chemical composition that since plenty of molecular bands exist in their spectra which even blocks the identifition of metallic lines. However, molecular features are less common in near-infrared (NIR) compared with other wavelength ranges. Here we take advantage of the high-resolution (R ~ 28, 000) spectra obtained with WINERED, which is a NIR spectrograph covering the wavelength range of 0.91–1.35 μm , to analyze and determine the chemical abundances of three Miras in the Galactic globular cluster 47 Tuc (NGC 104). Steps of data reduction and analysis, as well as part of the preliminary results, are briefly shown.
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 28-02-2014
Publisher: Research Square Platform LLC
Date: 07-05-2021
DOI: 10.21203/RS.3.RS-484057/V1
Abstract: Current theories of planetary evolution predict that infant giant planets have large radii and very low densities before they slowly contract to reach their final size after about several hundred million years 1, 2. These theoretical expectations remain untested to date, despite the increasing number of exoplanetary discoveries, as the detection and characterisation of very young planets is extremely challenging due to the intense stellar activity of their host stars 3, 4. However, the recent discoveries of young planetary transiting systems allow to place initial constraints on evolutionary models5–9. With an estimated age of 20 million years, V1298 Tau is one of the youngest solar-type stars known to host transiting planets: it harbours a multiple system composed of two Neptune-sized, one Saturn-sized, and one Jupiter-sized planets 10, 11. Here we report the dynamical masses of two of the four planets. We find that planet b, with an orbital period of 24 days, has a mass of 0.60 Jupiter masses and a density similar to the giant planets of the Solar System and other known giant exoplanets with significantly older ages 12, 13. Planet e, with an orbital period of 40 days, has a mass of 1.21 Jupiter masses and a density larger than most giant exoplanets. This is unexpected for planets at such a young age and suggests that some giant planets might evolve and contract faster than anticipated, thus challenging current models of planetary evolution.
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 27-10-2009
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 10-2018
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201832942
Abstract: Context. The G-type star GJ504A is known to host a 3–35 M Jup companion whose temperature, mass, and projected separation all contribute to making it a test case for planet formation theories and atmospheric models of giant planets and light brown dwarfs. Aims. We aim at revisiting the system age, architecture, and companion physical and chemical properties using new complementary interferometric, radial-velocity, and high-contrast imaging data. Methods. We used the CHARA interferometer to measure GJ504A’s angular diameter and obtained an estimation of its radius in combinationwith the H IPPARCOS parallax. The radius was compared to evolutionary tracks to infer a new independent age range for the system. We collected dual imaging data with IRDIS on VLT/SPHERE to s le the near-infrared (1.02–2.25 μ m) spectral energy distribution (SED) of the companion. The SED was compared to five independent grids of atmospheric models ( petitCODE , Exo-REM , BT-SETTL , Morley et al., and ATMO ) to infer the atmospheric parameters of GJ 504b and evaluate model-to-model systematic errors. In addition, we used a specific model grid exploring the effect of different C/O ratios. Contrast limits from 2011 to 2017 were combined with radial velocity data of the host star through the MESS2 tool to define upper limits on the mass of additional companions in the system from 0.01 to 100 au. We used an MCMC fitting tool to constrain the companion’sorbital parameters based on the measured astrometry, and dedicated formation models to investigate its origin. Results. We report a radius of 1.35 ± 0.04 R ⊙ for GJ504A. The radius yields isochronal ages of 21 ± 2 Myr or 4.0 ± 1.8 Gyr for the system and line-of-sight stellar rotation axis inclination of 162.4 −4.3 +3.8 degrees or 186.6 −3.8 +4.3 degrees. We re-detect the companion in the Y2, Y3, J3, H2, and K1 dual-band images. The complete 1–4 μ m SED shape of GJ504b is best reproduced by T8-T9.5 objects with intermediate ages (≤ 1.5Gyr), and/or unusual dusty atmospheres and/or super-solar metallicities. All atmospheric models yield T eff = 550 ± 50 K for GJ504b and point toward a low surface gravity (3.5–4.0 dex). The accuracy on the metallicity value is limited by model-to-model systematics it is not degenerate with the C/O ratio. We derive log L ∕ L ⊙ = −6.15 ± 0.15 dex for the companion from the empirical analysis and spectral synthesis. The luminosity and T eff yield masses of M = 1.3 −0.3 +0.6 M Jup and M = 23 −9 +10 M Jup for the young and old age ranges, respectively. The semi-major axis (sma) is above 27.8 au and the eccentricity is lower than 0.55. The posterior on GJ 504b’s orbital inclination suggests a misalignment with the rotation axis of GJ 504A. We exclude additional objects (90% prob.) more massive than 2.5 and 30 M Jup with semi-major axes in the range 0.01–80 au for the young and old isochronal ages, respectively. Conclusions. The mass and semi-major axis of GJ 504b are marginally compatible with a formation by disk-instability if the system is 4 Gyr old. The companion is in the envelope of the population of planets synthesized with our core-accretion model. Additional deep imaging and spectroscopic data with SPHERE and JWST should help to confirm the possible spin-orbit misalignment and refine the estimates on the companion temperature, luminosity, and atmospheric composition.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 12-11-2020
Abstract: We present isochrone ages and initial bulk metallicities ($\\rm [Fe/H]_{bulk}$, by accounting for diffusion) of 163 722 stars from the GALAH Data Release 2, mainly composed of main-sequence turn-off stars and subgiants ($7000\\, \\mathrm{ K}& T_{\\mathrm{ eff}}& 4000\\, \\mathrm{ K}$ and $\\log g& $ dex). The local age–metallicity relationship (AMR) is nearly flat but with significant scatter at all ages the scatter is even higher when considering the observed surface abundances. After correcting for selection effects, the AMR appears to have intrinsic structures indicative of two star formation events, which we speculate are connected to the thin and thick discs in the solar neighbourhood. We also present abundance ratio trends for 16 elements as a function of age, across different $\\rm [Fe/H]_{bulk}$ bins. In general, we find the trends in terms of [X/Fe] versus age from our far larger s le to be compatible with studies based on small (∼100 stars) s les of solar twins, but we now extend them to both sub- and supersolar metallicities. The α-elements show differing behaviour: the hydrostatic α-elements O and Mg show a steady decline with time for all metallicities, while the explosive α-elements Si, Ca, and Ti are nearly constant during the thin-disc epoch (ages $\\lesssim \\! 12$ Gyr). The s-process elements Y and Ba show increasing [X/Fe] with time while the r-process element Eu has the opposite trend, thus favouring a primary production from sources with a short time delay such as core-collapse supernovae over long-delay events such as neutron star mergers.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 18-06-2019
Abstract: HD 163296 is a Herbig Ae/Be star known to host a protoplanetary disc with a ringed structure. To explain the disc features, previous works proposed the presence of planets embedded into the disc. We have observed HD 163296 with the near-infrared (NIR) branch of SPHERE composed by IRDIS (InfraRed Dual-band Imager and Spectrograph) and IFS (integral field spectrograph) with the aim to put tight constraints on the presence of substellar companions around this star. Despite the low rotation of the field of view during our observation we were able to put upper mass limits of few MJup around this object. These limits do not allow to give any definitive conclusion about the planets proposed through the disc characteristics. On the other hand, our results seem to exclude the presence of the only candidate proposed until now using direct imaging in the NIR even if some caution has to be taken considered the different wavelength bands of the two observations.
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 02-2017
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 23-05-2020
Abstract: The determination of the fundamental properties (mass, separation, age, gravity, and atmospheric properties) of brown dwarf companions allows us to infer crucial informations on their formation and evolution mechanisms. Spectroscopy of substellar companions is available to date only for a limited number of objects (and mostly at very low resolution, R & 50) because of technical limitations, i.e. contrast and angular resolution. We present medium resolution (R = 350), coronagraphic long-slit spectroscopic observations with SPHERE of two substellar companions, HD 1160 B and HD 19467 B. We found that HD 1160 B has a peculiar spectrum that cannot be fitted by spectra in current spectral libraries. A good fit is possible only considering separately the Y+J and the H spectral band. The spectral type is between M5 and M7. We also estimated a Teff of 2800–2900 K and a log g of 3.5–4.0 dex. The low surface gravity seems to favour young age (10–20 Myr) and low mass (∼20 MJup ) for this object. HD 19467 B is instead a fully evolved object with a Teff of ∼1000 K and log g of ∼5.0 dex. Its spectral type is T6 ± 1.
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 09-2010
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 29-07-2020
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/202038688
Abstract: Context. Reconstructing the Galactic evolution of lithium (Li) is the main tool used to constrain the source(s) of Li enrichment in the Galaxy. Recent results have suggested a decline in Li at supersolar metallicities, which may indicate reduced production. Aims. We exploit the unique characteristics of the Gaia -ESO Survey open star cluster s le to further investigate this issue and to better constrain the evolution of Li at high metallicity. Methods. We trace the upper envelope of Li abundance versus metallicity evolution using 18 clusters and considering members that should not have suffered any Li depletion. Results. At variance with previous claims, we do not find any evidence of a Li decrease at high metallicity. The most metal-rich clusters in the s le ([Fe/H] = ∼0.3) actually show the highest Li abundances, with A (Li) 3.4. Our results clearly show that previous findings, which were based on field stars, were affected by selection effects. The metal-rich population in the solar neighbourhood is composed of relatively old and cool stars that have already undergone some Li depletion hence, their measured Li does not represent the initial interstellar medium abundance, but a lower limit to it.
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 06-2020
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/202037484
Abstract: Context. Binary stellar systems form a large fraction of the Galaxy’s stars. They are useful as laboratories for studying the physical processes taking place within stars, and must be correctly taken into account when observations of stars are used to study the structure and evolution of the Galaxy. The advent of large-scale spectroscopic and photometric surveys allows us to obtain large s les of binaries that permit characterising their populations. Aims. We aim to obtain a large s le of double-lined spectroscopic binaries (SB2s) by analysis of spectra from the GALAH survey in combination with photometric and astrometric data. A combined analysis will provide stellar parameters of thousands of binary stars that can be combined to form statistical observables of a given population. We aim to produce a catalogue of well-characterised systems, which can in turn be compared to models of populations of binary stars, or to follow-up in idual systems of interest. Methods. We obtained a list of candidate SB2 systems from a t-distributed stochastic neighbour embedding (t-SNE) classification and a cross-correlation analysis of GALAH spectra. To compute parameters of the primary and secondary star, we used a Bayesian approach that includes a parallax prior from Gaia DR2, spectra from GALAH, and apparent magnitudes from APASS, Gaia DR2, 2MASS, and WISE. We used a Markov chain Monte Carlo approach to s le the posterior distributions of the following model parameters for the two stars: T eff[1,2] , log g [1,2] , [Fe/H], V r [1,2] , v mic[1,2] , v broad[1,2] , R [1,2] , and E ( B − V ). Results. We present results for 12 760 binary stars detected as SB2s. We construct the statistical observables T 1 ∕ T 2 , Δ V r , and R 1 ∕ R 2 , which demonstrate that our s le mostly consists of dwarfs, with a significant fraction of evolved stars and several dozen members of the giant branch. The majority of these binary stars is concentrated at the lower boundary of the Δ V r distribution, and the R 1 ∕ R 2 ratio is mostly close to unity. The derived metallicity of our binary stars is statistically lower than that of single dwarf stars from the same magnitude-limited s le. Conclusions. Our s le of binary stars represents a large population of well-characterised double-lined spectroscopic binaries that are appropriate for statistical studies of the binary populations. The derived stellar properties and their distributions show trends that are expected for a population of close binary stars ( a 10 AU) detected through double lines in their spectra. Our detection technique allows us to probe binary systems with mass ratios 0.5 ≤ q ≤ 1.
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 04-2018
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201731649
Abstract: Aims. HR 2562 is an F5V star located at ~33 pc from the Sun hosting a substellar companion that was discovered using the Gemini planet imager (GPI) instrument. The main objective of the present paper is to provide an extensive characterization of the substellar companion, by deriving its fundamental properties. Methods. We observed HR 2562 with the near-infrared branch composed by the integral field spectrograph (IFS) and the infrared dual band spectrograph (IRDIS) of the spectro-polarimetric high-contrast exoplanet research (SPHERE) instrument at the very large telescope (VLT). During our observations IFS was operating in the Y J band, while IRDIS was observing with the H broadband filter. The data were reduced with the dedicated SPHERE GTO pipeline, which is custom designed for this instrument. On the reduced images, we then applied the post-processing procedures that are specifically prepared to subtract the speckle noise. Results. The companion is clearly detected in both IRDIS and IFS datasets. We obtained photometry in three different spectral bands. The comparison with template spectra allowed us to derive a spectral type of T2–T3 for the companion. Using both evolutionary and atmospheric models we inferred the main physical parameters of the companion obtaining a mass of 32 ± 14 M Jup , T eff = 1100 ± 200 K, and log g = 4.75 ± 0.41.
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 11-2017
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 29-05-2013
DOI: 10.1038/NATURE12191
Abstract: The asymptotic giant branch (AGB) phase is the final stage of nuclear burning for low-mass stars. Although Milky Way globular clusters are now known to harbour (at least) two generations of stars, they still provide relatively homogeneous s les of stars that are used to constrain stellar evolution theory. It is predicted by stellar models that the majority of cluster stars with masses around the current turn-off mass (that is, the mass of the stars that are currently leaving the main sequence phase) will evolve through the AGB phase. Here we report that all of the second-generation stars in the globular cluster NGC 6752--70 per cent of the cluster population--fail to reach the AGB phase. Through spectroscopic abundance measurements, we found that every AGB star in our s le has a low sodium abundance, indicating that they are exclusively first-generation stars. This implies that many clusters cannot reliably be used for star counts to test stellar evolution timescales if the AGB population is included. We have no clear explanation for this observation.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 09-02-2022
Abstract: Open clusters appear as simple objects in many respects, with a high degree of homogeneity in their (initial) chemical composition, and the typical solar-scaled abundance pattern that they exhibit for the majority of the chemical species. The striking singularity is represented by heavy elements produced from the slow process of the neutron-capture reactions. In particular, young open clusters (ages less than a few hundred Myr) give rise to the so-called barium puzzle: that is an extreme enhancement in their [Be/Fe] ratios, up to a factor of four of the solar value, which is not followed by other nearby s-process elements (e.g., lanthanum and cerium). The definite explanation for such a peculiar trend is still wanting, as many different solutions have been envisaged. We review the status of this field and present our new results on young open clusters and the pre-main sequence star RZ Piscium.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 29-06-2023
Abstract: Atmospheric mass loss plays a major role in the evolution of exoplanets. This process is driven by the stellar high-energy irradiation, especially in the first hundreds of millions of years after dissipation of the proto-planetary disk. A major source of uncertainty in modeling atmospheric photoevaporation and photochemistry is due to the lack of direct measurements of the stellar flux at extreme-UV (EUV) wavelengths. Several empirical relationships have been proposed in the past to link EUV fluxes to emission levels in X-rays, but the stellar s les employed for this aim are heterogeneous, and the available scaling laws provide significantly different predictions, especially for very active stars. We present new far-UV and X-ray observations of V1298 Tau with Hubble Space Telescope/Cosmic Origins Spectrograph and XMM-Newton, aimed to determine more accurately the high-energy emission of this solar-mass pre-main-sequence star, which hosts four exoplanets. Spectroscopic data were employed to derive the plasma emission measure distribution versus temperature, from the chromosphere to the corona, and the possible variability of this irradiation on short and year-long timescales, due to magnetic activity. As a side result, we have also measured the chemical abundances of several elements in the outer atmosphere of V1298 Tau. We employ our results as a new benchmark point for the calibration of the X-ray to EUV scaling laws, and hence to predict the time evolution of the irradiation in the EUV band, and its effect on the evaporation of exo-atmospheres.
Publisher: SPIE
Date: 09-08-2016
DOI: 10.1117/12.2232827
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 15-11-2012
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 24-09-2019
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201935598
Abstract: Context. The origin of the observed ersity of planetary system architectures is one of the main topics of exoplanetary research. The detection of a statistically significant s le of planets around young stars allows us to study the early stages of planet formation and evolution, but only a handful are known so far. In this regard a considerable contribution is expected from the NASA TESS satellite, which is now performing a survey of ~85% of the sky to search for short-period transiting planets. Aims. In its first month of operation TESS found a planet candidate with an orbital period of 8.14 days around a member of the Tuc-Hor young association (~40 Myr), the G6V main component of the binary system DS Tuc. If confirmed, it would be the first transiting planet around a young star suitable for radial velocity and/or atmospheric characterisation. Our aim is to validate the planetary nature of this companion and to measure its orbital and physical parameters. Methods. We obtained accurate planet parameters by coupling an independent reprocessing of the TESS light curve with improved stellar parameters and the dilution caused by the binary companion we analysed high-precision archival radial velocities to impose an upper limit of about 0.1 M Jup on the planet mass we finally ruled out the presence of external companions beyond 40 au with adaptive optics images. Results. We confirm the presence of a young giant ( R = 0.50 R Jup ) planet having a non-negligible possibility to be inflated (theoretical mass ≲ 20 M ⊕ ) around DS Tuc A. We discuss the feasibility of mass determination, Rossiter-McLaughlin analysis, and atmosphere characterisation allowed by the brightness of the star.
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Date: 11-2022
Abstract: We present the results of the analysis of the photometric data collected in long- and short-cadence mode by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite for GJ 504, a well-studied planet-hosting solar-like star, whose fundamental parameters have been largely debated during the last decade. Several attempts have been made by the present authors to isolate the oscillatory properties expected on this main-sequence star, but we did not find any presence of solar-like pulsations. The suppression of the litude of the acoustic modes can be explained by the high level of magnetic activity revealed for this target, not only by the study of the photometric light curve but also by the analysis of three decades of available Mount Wilson spectroscopic data. In particular, our measurements of the stellar rotational period P rot ≃ 3.4 days and of the main principal magnetic cycle of ≃12 yr confirm previous findings and allow us to locate this star in the early main-sequence phase of its evolution during which the chromospheric activity is dominated by the superposition of several cycles before the transition to the phase of the magnetic-braking shutdown with the subsequent decrease of the magnetic activity.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 04-2015
DOI: 10.1093/MNRAS/STV612
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 03-2011
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 14-10-2019
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 13-05-2009
Location: South Africa
Start Date: 2015
End Date: 12-2017
Amount: $328,000.00
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded ActivityStart Date: 08-2011
End Date: 12-2015
Amount: $835,200.00
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded Activity