Context.
The number of satellites in low-Earth orbit is increasing rapidly and many tens of thousands of satellites are expected to be launched in the coming years. There is a strong concern among ...the astronomical community about the contamination of optical and near-infrared observations by satellite trails, what has led to several initial investigations of the impact of large satellite constellations.
Aims.
We expand the impact analysis of such constellations on ground-based optical and near-infrared astronomical observations in a more rigorous and quantitative way, using updated constellation information and considering imagers and spectrographs and their very different characteristics.
Methods.
We introduce an analytical method that allows us to rapidly and accurately evaluate the effect of a very large number of satellites, accounting for their magnitudes and the effect of trailing of the satellite image during the exposure. We use this to evaluate the impact on a series of representative instruments, including imagers (traditional narrow field instruments, wide-field survey cameras, and astro-photographic cameras) and spectrographs (long-slit and fibre-fed), taking their limiting magnitude into account.
Results.
Confirming earlier findings, the effect of satellite trails is more damaging for high-altitude satellites, on wide-field instruments, or essentially during the first and last hours of the night. Thanks to their brighter limiting magnitudes, low- and mid-resolution spectrographs will be less affected, but the contamination will be at about the same level as that of the science signal, introducing additional challenges. High-resolution spectrographs will essentially be immune. We propose a series of mitigating measures, including one that uses the described simulation method to optimise the scheduling of the observations. We conclude that no single mitigation measure will solve the problem of satellite trails for all instruments and all science cases.
Aims. We aim at detecting water vapor in the atmosphere of the hot Jupiter HD 209458 b and perform a multi-band study in the near infrared with CARMENES. Methods. The water vapor absorption lines ...from the atmosphere of the planet are Doppler-shifted due to the large change in its radial velocity during transit. This shift is of the order of tens of km s−1, whilst the Earth’s telluric and the stellar lines can be considered quasi-static. We took advantage of this shift to remove the telluric and stellar lines using SYSREM, which performs a principal component analysis including proper error propagation. The residual spectra contain the signal from thousands of planetary molecular lines well below the noise level. We retrieve the information from those lines by cross-correlating the residual spectra with models of the atmospheric absorption of the planet. Results. We find a cross-correlation signal with a signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) of 6.4, revealing H2O in HD 209458 b. We obtain a net blueshift of the signal of –5.2 −1.3+2.6 $^{+2.6}_{-1.3}$ −1.3+2.6 km s−1 that, despite the large error bars, is a firm indication of day- to night-side winds at the terminator of this hot Jupiter. Additionally, we performed a multi-band study for the detection of H2O individually from the three near infrared bands covered by CARMENES. We detect H2O from its 0.96–1.06 μm band with a S/N of 5.8, and also find hints of a detection from the 1.06–1.26 μm band, with a low S/N of 2.8. No clear planetary signal is found from the 1.26–1.62 μm band. Conclusions. Our significant H2O signal at 0.96–1.06 μm in HD 209458 b represents the first detection of H2O from this band individually, the bluest one to date. The unfavorable observational conditions might be the reason for the inconclusive detection from the stronger 1.15 and 1.4 μm bands. H2O is detected from the 0.96–1.06 μm band in HD 209458 b, but hardly in HD 189733 b, which supports a stronger aerosol extinction in the latter, in line with previous studies. Future data gathered at more stable conditions and with larger S/N at both optical and near-infrared wavelengths could help to characterize the presence of aerosols in HD 209458 b and other planets.
Ultra-hot Jupiters (UHJs) are gas giants with very high equilibrium temperatures. In recent years, multiple chemical species, including various atoms and ions, have been discovered in their ...atmospheres. Most of these observations have been performed with transmission spectroscopy, although UHJs are also ideal targets for emission spectroscopy due to their strong thermal radiation. We present high-resolution thermal emission spectroscopy of the transiting UHJ KELT-20b/MASCARA-2b. The observation was performed with the CARMENES spectrograph at orbital phases before and after the secondary eclipse. We detected atomic Fe using the cross-correlation technique. The detected Fe lines are in emission, which unambiguously indicates a temperature inversion on the dayside hemisphere. We furthermore retrieved the temperature structure with the detected Fe lines. The result shows that the atmosphere has a strong temperature inversion with a temperature of 4900 ± 700 K and a pressure of 10
−4.8
−1.1
+1.0
bar at the upper layer of the inversion. A joint retrieval of the CARMENES data and the TESS secondary eclipse data returns a temperature of 2550
−250
+150
K and a pressure of 10
−1.5
−0.6
+0.7
bar at the lower layer of the temperature inversion. The detection of such a strong temperature inversion is consistent with theoretical simulations that predict an inversion layer on the dayside of UHJs. The joint retrieval of the CARMENES and TESS data demonstrates the power of combing high-resolution emission spectroscopy with secondary eclipse photometry in characterizing atmospheric temperature structures.
We report the discovery of two exoplanets around the M dwarfs GJ 724 and GJ 3988 using the radial velocity (RV) method. We obtained a total of 153 3.5 m Calar Alto/CARMENES spectra for both targets ...and measured their RVs and activity indicators. We also added archival ESO/HARPS data for GJ 724 and infrared RV measurements from Subaru/IRD for GJ 3988. We searched for periodic and stable signals to subsequently construct Keplerian models, considering different numbers of planets, and we selected the best models based on their Bayesian evidence. Gaussian process (GP) regression was included in some models to account for activity signals. For both systems, the best model corresponds to one single planet. The minimum masses are 10.75
−0.87
+0.96
and 3.69
−0.41
+0.42
Earth-masses for GJ 724 b and GJ 3988 b, respectively. Both planets have short periods (
P <
10 d) and, therefore, they orbit their star closely (
a
< 0.05 au). GJ 724 b has an eccentric orbit (
e
= 0.577
−0.052
+0.055
), whereas the orbit of GJ 3988 b is circular. The high eccentricity of GJ 724 b makes it the most eccentric single exoplanet (to this date) around an M dwarf. Thus, we suggest a further analysis to understand its configuration in the context of planetary formation and architecture. In contrast, GJ 3988 b is an example of a common type of planet around mid-M dwarfs.
Context.
Ground-based observing time is precious in the era of exoplanet follow-up and characterization, especially in high-precision radial velocity instruments. Blind-search radial velocity surveys ...thus require a dedicated observational strategy in order to optimize the observing time, which is particularly crucial for the detection of small rocky worlds at large orbital periods.
Aims.
We developed an algorithm with the purpose of improving the efficiency of radial velocity observations in the context of exoplanet searches, and we applied it to the K-dwarfs Orbited By habitable Exoplanets experiment. Our aim is to accelerate exoplanet confirmations or, alternatively, reject false signals as early as possible in order to save telescope time and increase the efficiency of both blind-search surveys and follow-up of transiting candidates.
Methods.
Once a minimum initial number of radial velocity datapoints is reached in such a way that a periodicity starts to emerge according to generalized Lomb-Scargle periodograms, that period is targeted with the proposed algorithm, named KOBEsim. The algorithm selects the next observing date that maximizes the Bayesian evidence for this periodicity in comparison with a model with no Keplerian orbits.
Results.
By means of simulated data, we proved that the algorithm accelerates the exoplanet detection, needing 29-33% fewer observations and a 41–47% smaller time span of the full dataset for low-mass planets (
m
p
< 10
M
⊕
) in comparison with a conventional monotonic cadence strategy. For 20
M
⊕
planets we found a 16% enhancement in the number of datapoints. We also tested KOBEsim with real data for a particular KOBE target and for the confirmed planet HD 102365 b. These two tests demonstrate that the strategy is capable of speeding up the detection by up to a factor of 2 (i.e., reducing both the time span and number of observations by half).
ABSTRACT
CAFE is a high-resolution spectrograph with high-precision radial velocity capabilities mounted at the 2.2 m telescope of Calar Alto Observatory. It suffered from strong degradation after ...4 yr of operations and it has now been upgraded. The upgrades of the instrument (now named CAFE2) aimed at recovering the throughput and improving the stability due to the installation of a new grating, an active temperature control in the isolated coudé room, and a new scrambling system. In this paper, we present the results of the new commissioning of the instrument and a new pipeline (CAFExtractor) that provides the user with fully reduced data including radial velocity measurements of FGK dwarf stars. The commissioning results show a clear improvement in the instrument performance. The room temperature is now stabilized down to 5 mK during one night and below 50 mK over two months. CAFE2 now provides 3 m s−1 precision on the reference ThAr frames and the on-sky tests provide a radial velocity precision of 8 m s−1 during one night (for S/N > 50). The throughput of the instrument is now back to nominal values with an efficiency of around 15 per cent at 550 nm. The limiting magnitude of the instrument for a 1 h exposure and S/N = 20 is V = 15. With all these properties, CAFE enters into the small family of high-resolution spectrographs at 2–4 m telescopes capable of reaching radial velocity precisions below 10 m s−1.
The host of the Type I SLSN 2017egm Izzo, L.; Thöne, C. C.; García-Benito, R. ...
Astronomy and astrophysics (Berlin),
02/2018, Letnik:
610
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Context. Type I superluminous supernova (SLSN) host galaxies are predominantly low-metallicity, highly star-forming (SF) dwarfs. One of the current key questions is whether Type I SLSNe can only ...occur in such environments and hosts. Aims. Here we present an integral-field study of the massive, high-metallicity spiral NGC 3191, the host of SN 2017egm, the closest Type I SLSN known to date. We use data from PMAS/CAHA and the public MaNGA survey to shed light on the properties of the SLSN site and the origin of star formation in this non-starburst spiral galaxy. Methods. We map the physical properties of different H ii regions throughout the galaxy and characterise their stellar populations using the STARLIGHT fitting code. Kinematical information allows us to study a possible interaction with its neighbouring galaxy as the origin of recent star formation activity which could have caused the SLSN. Results. NGC 3191 shows intense star formation in the western part with three large SF regions of low metallicity. Taking only the properties of emitting gas, the central regions of the host have a higher metallicity, a lower specific star formation rate, and lower ionisation. Modelling the stellar populations gives a different picture: the SLSN region has two dominant stellar populations with different ages, the younger one with an age of 2–10 Myr and lower metallicity, likely the population from which the SN progenitor originated. Emission line kinematics of NGC 3191 show indications of interaction with its neighbour MCG+08-19-017 at ~45 kpc, which might be responsible for the recent starburst. In fact, this galaxy pair has hosted a total of four SNe, 1988B (Type Ia), SN 2003ds (Type Ic in MCG+08-19-017), PTF10bgl (Type II), and 2017egm, underlying the enhanced SF in both galaxies due to interaction. Conclusions. Our study shows that care should be taken when interpreting global host and even gas properties without looking at the stellar population history of the region. The SLSNe seem to be consistent with massive stars (>20 M⊙) requiring low metallicity (<0.6 Z⊙), environments that can also occur in massive late-type galaxies, but not necessarily with starbursts.
ABSTRACT
Clusterix 2.0 is a web-based, Virtual Observatory compliant, interactive tool for the determination of membership probabilities in stellar clusters based on proper-motion data using a fully ...non-parametric method. In an area occupied by a cluster, the frequency function is made up of two contributions: cluster and field stars. The tool performs an empirical determination of the frequency functions from the vector point diagram without relying on any previous assumption about their profiles. Clusterix 2.0 allows us to search the appropriate spatial areas in an interactive way until an optimal separation of the two populations is obtained. Several parameters can be adjusted to make the calculation computationally feasible without interfering with the quality of the results. The system offers the possibility to query different catalogues, such as Gaia, or upload a user’s own data. The results of the membership determination can be sent via Simple Application Messaging Protocol (SAMP) to Virtual Observatory (VO) tools such as Tool for OPerations on Catalogues And Tables (TOPCAT). We apply Clusterix 2.0 to several open clusters with different properties and environments to show the capabilities of the tool: an area of five degrees radius around NGC 2682 (M67), an old, well-known cluster; a young cluster NGC 2516 with a striking elongated structure extended up to four degrees; NGC 1750 and NGC 1758, a pair of partly overlapping clusters; the area of NGC 1817, where we confirm a little-known cluster, Juchert 23; and an area with many clusters, where we disentangle two overlapping clusters situated where only one was previously known: Ruprecht 26 and the new Clusterix 1.
Context. NGC 2682 is a nearby open cluster that is approximately 3.5 Gyr old. Dynamically, most open clusters are expected to dissolve on shorter timescales of ≈1 Gyr. That it has survived until now ...means that NGC 2682 was likely much more massive in the past and is bound to have an interesting dynamical history. Aims. We investigate the spatial distribution of the stars in NGC 2682 to constrain dynamical evolution of the cluster. We particularly focus on the marginally bound stars in the cluster outskirts. Methods. We used Gaia DR2 data to identify NGC 2682 members up to a distance of ∼150 pc (10°). The two methods Clusterix and UPMASK were applied to this end. We estimated distances to obtain 3D stellar positions using a Bayesian approach to parallax inversion, with an appropriate prior for star clusters. We calculated the orbit of NGC 2682 using the GRAVPOT16 software. Results. The cluster extends up to 200′ (50 pc), which implies that its size is at least twice as large as previously believed. This exceeds the cluster Hill sphere based on the Galactic potential at the distance of NGC 2682. Conclusion. The extra-tidal stars in NGC 2682 may originate from external perturbations such as disc-shocking or dynamical evaporation from two-body relaxation. The former origin is plausible given the orbit of NGC 2682, which crossed the Galactic disc ≈40 Myr ago.
This paper describes a mobile prototype and a protocol to measure light pollution based on astronomical methods. The prototype takes three all-sky images using
BVR filters of the Johnson-Cousins ...astronomical photometric system. The stars are then identified in the images of the
Hipparcos and
General Catalogue of Photometric Data II astronomical catalogues, and are used as calibration sources. This method permits the measurement of night-sky brightness and facilitates an estimate of which fraction is due to the light up-scattered in the atmosphere by a wide variety of man-made sources. This is achieved by our software, which compares the sky background flux to that of many stars of known brightness. The reduced weight and dimensions of the prototype allow the user to make measurements from virtually any location. This prototype is capable of measuring the sky distribution of light pollution, and also provides an accurate estimate of the background flux at each photometric band.
PDF
