ABSTRACT
The accuracy of theoretical mass, radius, and effective temperature values for M-dwarf stars is an active topic of debate. Differences between observed and theoretical values have raised the ...possibility that current theoretical stellar structure and evolution models are inaccurate towards the low-mass end of the main sequence. To explore this issue, we use the CHEOPS satellite to obtain high-precision light curves of eclipsing binaries with low-mass stellar companions. We use these light curves combined with the spectroscopic orbit for the solar-type companion to measure the mass, radius, and effective temperature of the M-dwarf star. Here, we present the analysis of three eclipsing binaries. We use the pycheops data analysis software to fit the observed transit and eclipse events of each system. Two of our systems were also observed by the TESS satellite – we similarly analyse these light curves for comparison. We find consistent results between CHEOPS and TESS, presenting three stellar radii and two stellar effective temperature values of low-mass stellar objects. These initial results from our on-going observing programme with CHEOPS show that we can expect to have ∼24 new mass, radius, and effective temperature measurements for very low-mass stars within the next few years.
The planetary system around the naked-eye star
v
2
Lupi (HD 136352; TOI-2011) is composed of three exoplanets with masses of 4.7, 11.2, and 8.6 Earth masses (
M
⊕
). The TESS and CHEOPS missions ...revealed that all three planets are transiting and have radii straddling the radius gap separating volatile-rich and volatile-poor super-earths. Only a partial transit of planet d had been covered so we re-observed an inferior conjunction of the long-period 8.6
M
⊕
exoplanet
v
2
Lup d with the CHEOPS space telescope. We confirmed its transiting nature by covering its whole 9.1 h transit for the first time. We refined the planet transit ephemeris to
P
= 107.1361
−0.0022
+0.0019
days and
T
c
= 2459009.7759
−0.0096
+0.0101
BJD
TDB
, improving by ~40 times on the previously reported transit timing uncertainty. This refined ephemeris will enable further follow-up of this outstanding long-period transiting planet to search for atmospheric signatures or explore the planet’s Hill sphere in search for an exomoon. In fact, the CHEOPS observations also cover the transit of a large fraction of the planet’s Hill sphere, which is as large as the Earth’s, opening the tantalising possibility of catching transiting exomoons. We conducted a search for exomoon signals in this single-epoch light curve but found no conclusive photometric signature of additional transiting bodies larger than Mars. Yet, only a sustained follow-up of
v
2
Lup d transits will warrant a comprehensive search for a moon around this outstanding exoplanet.
In the 50 years since the advent of X-ray astronomy there have been many scientific advances due to the development of new experimental techniques for detecting and characterising X-rays. ...Observations of X-ray polarisation have, however, not undergone a similar development. This is a shortcoming since a plethora of open questions related to the nature of X-ray sources could be resolved through measurements of the linear polarisation of emitted X-rays. The PoGOLite Pathfinder is a balloon-borne hard X-ray polarimeter operating in the 25-240 keV energy band from a stabilised observation platform. Polarisation is determined using coincident energy deposits in a segmented array of plastic scintillators surrounded by a BGO anticoincidence system and a polyethylene neutron shield. The PoGOLite Pathfinder was launched from the SSC Esrange Space Centre in July 2013. A near-circumpolar flight was achieved with a duration of approximately two weeks. The flight performance of the Pathfinder design is discussed for the three Crab observations conducted. The signal-to-background ratio for the observations is shown to be 0.25 ±0.03 and the Minimum Detectable Polarisation (99 % C.L.) is (28.4 ±2.2) %. A strategy for the continuation of the PoGOLite programme is outlined based on experience gained during the 2013 maiden flight.
Context. In about 2000, the south pole of Triton experienced an extreme summer solstice that occurs every ∼650 years, when the subsolar latitude reached about 50°S. Bracketing this epoch, a few ...occultations probed the Triton atmosphere in 1989, 1995, 1997, 2008, and 2017. A recent ground-based stellar occultation observed on 6 October 2022 provides a new measurement of the atmospheric pressure on Triton. This is presented here. Aims. The goal is to constrain the volatile transport models (VTMs) of the Triton atmosphere. The atmosphere is basically in vapor pressure equilibrium with the nitrogen ice at its surface. Methods. Fits to the occultation light curves yield the atmospheric pressure of Triton at the reference radius 1400 km, from which the surface pressure is deduced. Results. The fits provide a pressure p 1400 = 1.211 ± 0.039 μbar at radius 1400 km (47 km altitude), from which a surface pressure of p surf = 14.54 ± 0.47 μbar is deduced (1 σ error bars). To within the error bars, this is identical to the pressure derived from the previous occultation of 5 October 2017, p 1400 = 1.18 ± 0.03 μbar and p surf = 14.1 ± 0.4 μbar, respectively. Based on recent models of the volatile cycles of Triton, the overall evolution of the surface pressure over the last 30 years is consistent with N 2 condensation taking place in the northern hemisphere. However, models typically predict a steady decrease in the surface pressure for the period 2005-2060, which is not confirmed by this observation. Complex surface-atmosphere interactions, such as ice albedo runaway and formation of local N 2 frosts in the equatorial regions of Triton, could explain the relatively constant pressure between 2017 and 2022.
Context . Ultra-hot Jupiters present a unique opportunity to understand the physics and chemistry of planets, their atmospheres, and interiors at extreme conditions. WASP-12 b stands out as an ...archetype of this class of exoplanets, with a close-in orbit around its star that results in intense stellar irradiation and tidal effects. Aims . The goals are to measure the planet’s tidal deformation, atmospheric properties, and also to refine its orbital decay rate. Methods . We performed comprehensive analyses of the transits, occultations, and phase curves of WASP-12b by combining new CHEOPS observations with previous TESS and Spitzer data. The planet was modeled as a triaxial ellipsoid parameterized by the second-order fluid Love number of the planet, h 2 , which quantifies its radial deformation and provides insight into the interior structure. Results . We measured the tidal deformation of WASP-12b and estimated a Love number of h 2 = 1.55 −0.49 +0.45 (at 3.2σ) from its phase curve. We measured occultation depths of 333 ± 24 ppm and 493 ± 29 ppm in the CHEOPS and TESS bands, respectively, while the nightside fluxes are consistent with zero, and also marginal eastward phase offsets. Our modeling of the dayside emission spectrum indicates that CHEOPS and TESS probe similar pressure levels in the atmosphere at a temperature of ~2900 K. We also estimated low geometric albedos of A g = 0.086 ± 0.017 and A g = 0.01 ± 0.023 in the CHEOPS and TESS passbands, respectively, suggesting the absence of reflective clouds in the high-temperature dayside of the planet. The CHEOPS occultations do not show strong evidence for variability in the dayside atmosphere of the planet at the median occultation depth precision of 120 ppm attained. Finally, combining the new CHEOPS timings with previous measurements refines the precision of the orbital decay rate by 12% to a value of −30.23 ± 0.82 ms yr −1 , resulting in a modified stellar tidal quality factor of Q ′ ★ = 1.70 ± 0.14 × 10 5 . Conclusions . WASP-12 b becomes the second exoplanet, after WASP-103b, for which the Love number has been measured from the effect of tidal deformation in the light curve. However, constraining the core mass fraction of the planet requires measuring h 2 with a higher precision. This can be achieved with high signal-to-noise observations with JWST since the phase curve amplitude, and consequently the induced tidal deformation effect, is higher in the infrared.
Context.
Tidal orbital decay is suspected to occur for hot Jupiters in particular, with the only observationally confirmed case of this being WASP-12b. By examining this effect, information on the ...properties of the host star can be obtained using the so-called stellar modified tidal quality factor
Q
*
′
, which describes the efficiency with which the kinetic energy of the planet is dissipated within the star. This can provide information about the interior of the star.
Aims.
In this study, we aim to improve constraints on the tidal decay of the KELT-9, KELT-16, and WASP-4 systems in order to find evidence for or against the presence of tidal orbital decay. With this, we want to constrain the
Q
*
′
value for each star. In addition, we aim to test the existence of the transit timing variations (TTVs) in the HD 97658 system, which previously favoured a quadratic trend with increasing orbital period.
Methods.
Making use of newly acquired photometric observations from CHEOPS (CHaracterising ExOplanet Satellite) and TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite), combined with archival transit and occultation data, we use Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms to fit three models to the data, namely a constant-period model, an orbital-decay model, and an apsidal-precession model.
Results.
We find that the KELT-9 system is best described by an apsidal-precession model for now, with an orbital decay trend at over 2
σ
being a possible solution as well. A Keplerian orbit model with a constant orbital period provides the best fit to the transit timings of KELT-16 b because of the scatter and scale of their error bars. The WASP-4 system is best represented by an orbital decay model at a 5
σ
significance, although apsidal precession cannot be ruled out with the present data. For HD 97658 b, using recently acquired transit observations, we find no conclusive evidence for a previously suspected strong quadratic trend in the data.
Abstract
The linear polarization fraction (PF) and angle of the hard X-ray emission from the Crab provide unique insight into high-energy radiation mechanisms, complementing the usual imaging, ...timing, and spectroscopic approaches. Results have recently been presented by two missions operating in partially overlapping energy bands, PoGO+ (18–160 keV) and AstroSat CZTI (100–380 keV). We previously reported PoGO+ results on the polarization parameters integrated across the light curve and for the entire nebula-dominated off-pulse region. We now introduce finer phase binning, in light of the AstroSat CZTI claim that the PF varies across the off-pulse region. Since both missions are operating in a regime where errors on the reconstructed polarization parameters are non-Gaussian, we adopt a Bayesian approach to compare results from each mission. We find no statistically significant variation in off-pulse polarization parameters, neither when considering the mission data separately nor when they are combined. This supports expectations from standard high-energy emission models.
Planetary rings are observed not only around giant planets
, but also around small bodies such as the Centaur Chariklo
and the dwarf planet Haumea
. Up to now, all known dense rings were located ...close enough to their parent bodies, being inside the Roche limit, where tidal forces prevent material with reasonable densities from aggregating into a satellite. Here we report observations of an inhomogeneous ring around the trans-Neptunian body (50000) Quaoar. This trans-Neptunian object has an estimated radius
of 555 km and possesses a roughly 80-km satellite
(Weywot) that orbits at 24 Quaoar radii
. The detected ring orbits at 7.4 radii from the central body, which is well outside Quaoar's classical Roche limit, thus indicating that this limit does not always determine where ring material can survive. Our local collisional simulations show that elastic collisions, based on laboratory experiments
, can maintain a ring far away from the body. Moreover, Quaoar's ring orbits close to the 1/3 spin-orbit resonance
with Quaoar, a property shared by Chariklo's
and Haumea's
rings, suggesting that this resonance plays a key role in ring confinement for small bodies.
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