Context.
55 Cnc e is a transiting super-Earth (radius 1.88
R
⊕
and mass 8
M
⊕
) orbiting a G8V host star on a 17-h orbit.
Spitzer
observations of the planet’s phase curve at 4.5 μm revealed a ...time-varying occultation depth, and MOST optical observations are consistent with a time-varying phase curve amplitude and phase offset of maximum light. Both broadband and high-resolution spectroscopic analyses are consistent with either a high mean molecular weight atmosphere or no atmosphere for planet e. A long-term photometric monitoring campaign on an independent optical telescope is needed to probe the variability in this system.
Aims.
We seek to measure the phase variations of 55 Cnc e with a broadband optical filter with the 30 cm effective aperture space telescope CHEOPS and explore how the precision photometry narrows down the range of possible scenarios.
Methods.
We observed 55 Cnc for 1.6 orbital phases in March of 2020. We designed a phase curve detrending toolkit for CHEOPS photometry which allowed us to study the underlying flux variations in the 55 Cnc system.
Results.
We detected a phase variation with a full-amplitude of 72 ± 7 ppm, but did not detect a significant secondary eclipse of the planet. The shape of the phase variation resembles that of a piecewise-Lambertian; however, the non-detection of the planetary secondary eclipse, and the large amplitude of the variations exclude reflection from the planetary surface as a possible origin of the observed phase variations. They are also likely incompatible with magnetospheric interactions between the star and planet, but may imply that circumplanetary or circumstellar material modulate the flux of the system.
Conclusions.
This year, further precision photometry of 55 Cnc from CHEOPS will measure variations in the phase curve amplitude and shape over time.
Abstract We report a polarimetric constraint on the hard X-ray synchrotron jet emission from the Cygnus X-1 black hole binary system. The observational data were obtained using the PoGO+ hard X-ray ...polarimeter in 2016 July, when Cygnus X-1 was in the hard state. We have previously reported that emission from an extended corona with a low polarization fraction is dominating, and that the polarization angle is perpendicular to the disc surface. In the soft gamma-ray regime, a highly polarized synchrotron jet is reported with INTEGRAL observations. To constrain the polarization fraction and flux of such a jet component in the hard X-ray regime, we now extend analyses through vector calculations in the Stokes QU plane, where the dominant corona emission and the jet component are considered simultaneously. The presence of another emission component with different polarization angle could partly cancel out the net polarization. The 90 per cent upper limit of the polarization fraction for the additional synchrotron jet component is estimated as <10 per cent, <5 per cent, and <5 per cent for polarization angle perpendicular to the disc surface, parallel to the surface, and aligned with the emission reported by INTEGRAL data, respectively. From the 20–180 keV total flux of 2.6 × 10−8 erg s−1 cm−2, the upper limit of the polarized flux is estimated as < 3 × 10−9 erg s−1 cm−2.
Context. The morphology of the circumstellar envelopes (CSE) around asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars gives information on the mass-loss process from the star, its evolution and wind, and on the ...effect of binary interaction. However, determining the distribution of dust in the circumstellar envelopes is difficult. Observations of polarised, dust-scattered stellar light in the optical have produced images with high-spatial resolution of the envelopes around evolved stars. For sources with detached shells in particular, this method has proven extremely successful. Detached shells are believed to be created during a thermal pulse, and studying them can constrain the time scales and physical properties of one of the main drivers of late stellar evolution. Aims. We aim at determining the morphology of the detached shells around the carbon AGB stars R Scl and V644 Sco. In particular, we attempt to constrain the radii and widths of the detached dust shells around the stars and compare them to observations of the detached gas shells. Methods. We observed the polarised, dust-scattered stellar light around the carbon AGB stars R Scl and V644 Sco using the PolCor instrument mounted on the ESO 3.6 m telescope. Observations were done with a coronographic mask to block out the direct stellar light. The polarised images clearly show the detached shells around R Scl and V644 Sco. Using a dust radiative transfer code to model the dust-scattered polarised light, we constrained the radii and widths of the shells. Results. We determine radii of 19.̋5 and 9.̋4 for the detached dust shells around R Scl and V644 Sco, respectively. Both shells have an overall spherical symmetry and widths of ≈2′′. For R Scl, we can compare the observed dust emission directly with high spatial-resolution maps of CO(3−2) emission from the shell observed with ALMA. We find that the dust and gas coincide almost exactly, indicating a common evolution. The data presented here for R Scl are the most detailed observations of the entire dusty detached shell to date. For V644 Sco, these are the first direct measurements of the detached shell. Also here we find that the dust most likely coincides with the gas shell. Conclusions. The observations are consistent with a scenario where the detached shells are created during a thermal pulse. The determined radii and widths will constrain hydrodynamical models describing the pre-pulse mass loss, the thermal pulse, and post-pulse evolution of the star.
Context. The binary B5 V star BD + 31°643 exhibits a disk-like structure detected at optical wavelengths. Even though the feature is well centered on the star, it has been argued, based on Spitzer ...observations, that the feature is a filament not directly associated to the binary star. Aims. The purpose of the present paper is to investigate whether polarization imaging may provide evidence either for or against the disk hypothesis. In addition, we aim at clarifying whether there might be any additional close companion to the binary star. Methods. We used the coronagraph PolCor in its polarization mode in combination with an EMCCD camera allowing short unit exposure times. As a result of shift-and-add and frame selection, the spatial resolution is improved compared to traditional CCD imaging. In order to possibly reveal an additional stellar companion, we used high resolution spectroscopy in the optical and high spatial resolution imaging in the near-IR. Results. The disk/filament is much better seen in polarization; it is narrow and a line drawn along the ridge passes within a second of arc from the star. The degree of polarization is high (≈50% after correction for the extended component of the reflection nebula) which means that the disk/filament must be approximately at the same distance as the star. Although we confirm that the feature is much brighter south-east than north-west of the star, the evidence that the feature is physically connected to the star is strengthened and suggests that we are witnessing the destruction process of an accretion disk. Our spectroscopy shows that at least one of the stars is a spectroscopic binary. We were, however, not able to spatially resolve any stellar component in addition to the two well separated stars.
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.
ABSTRACT
We present a precise characterization of the TOI-561 planetary system obtained by combining previously published data with TESS and CHEOPS photometry, and a new set of 62 HARPS-N radial ...velocities (RVs). Our joint analysis confirms the presence of four transiting planets, namely TOI-561 b (P = 0.45 d, R = 1.42 R⊕, M = 2.0 M⊕), c (P = 10.78 d, R = 2.91 R⊕, M = 5.4 M⊕), d (P = 25.7 d, R = 2.82 R⊕, M = 13.2 M⊕), and e (P = 77 d, R = 2.55 R⊕, M = 12.6 R⊕). Moreover, we identify an additional, long-period signal (>450 d) in the RVs, which could be due to either an external planetary companion or to stellar magnetic activity. The precise masses and radii obtained for the four planets allowed us to conduct interior structure and atmospheric escape modelling. TOI-561 b is confirmed to be the lowest density (ρb = 3.8 ± 0.5 g cm−3) ultra-short period (USP) planet known to date, and the low metallicity of the host star makes it consistent with the general bulk density-stellar metallicity trend. According to our interior structure modelling, planet b has basically no gas envelope, and it could host a certain amount of water. In contrast, TOI-561 c, d, and e likely retained an H/He envelope, in addition to a possibly large water layer. The inferred planetary compositions suggest different atmospheric evolutionary paths, with planets b and c having experienced significant gas loss, and planets d and e showing an atmospheric content consistent with the original one. The uniqueness of the USP planet, the presence of the long-period planet TOI-561 e, and the complex architecture make this system an appealing target for follow-up studies.
Aims.The aim of this paper is to characterise the star formation activity in the poorly studied embedded cluster Serpens/G3-G6, located ~45′ (3 pc) to the south of the Serpens Cloud Core, and to ...determine the luminosity and mass functions of its population of Young Stellar Objects (YSOs). Methods.Multi-wavelength broadband photometry was obtained to sample the near and mid-IR spectral energy distributions to separate YSOs from field stars and classify the YSO evolutionary stage. ISOCAM mapping in the two filters LW2 (5–8.5 μm) and LW3 (12–18 μm) of a $19\arcmin$ $\times$ $16\arcmin$ field was combined with JHKS data from 2MASS, KS data from Arnica/NOT, and $L\arcmin$ data from SIRCA/NOT. Continuum emission at 1.3 mm (IRAM) and 3.6 cm (VLA) was mapped to study the cloud structure and the coldest/youngest sources. Deep narrow band imaging at the 2.12 μm S(1) line of H2 from NOTCam/NOT was obtained to search for signs of bipolar outflows. Results.We have strong evidence for a stellar population of 31 Class II sources, 5 flat-spectrum sources, 5 Class I sources, and two Class 0 sources. Our method does not sample the Class III sources. The cloud is composed of two main dense clumps aligned along a ridge over ~0.5 pc plus a starless core coinciding with absorption features seen in the ISOCAM maps. We find two S-shaped bipolar collimated flows embedded in the NE clump, and propose the two driving sources to be a Class 0 candidate (MMS3) and a double Class I (MMS2). For the Class II population we find a best age of ~2 Myr and compatibility with recent Initial Mass Functions (IMFs) by comparing the observed Class II luminosity function (LF), which is complete to 0.08 $L_{\odot}$, to various model LFs with different star formation scenarios and input IMFs.
Context.
Stellar occultation is a powerful technique that allows the determination of some physical parameters of the occulting object. The result depends on the photometric accuracy, the temporal ...resolution, and the number of chords obtained. Space telescopes can achieve high photometric accuracy as they are not affected by atmospheric scintillation.
Aims.
Using ESA’s CHEOPS space telescope, we observed a stellar occultation by the transneptunian object (50000) Quaoar. We compare the obtained chord with previous occultations by this object and determine its astrometry with sub-milliarcsecond precision. Also, we determine upper limits to the presence of a global methane atmosphere on the occulting body.
Methods.
We predicted and observed a stellar occultation by Quaoar using the CHEOPS space telescope. We measured the occultation light curve from this dataset and determined the dis- and reappearance of the star behind the occulting body. Furthermore, a ground-based telescope in Australia was used to constrain Quaoar’s limb. Combined with results from previous works, these measurements allowed us to obtain a precise position of Quaoar at the occultation time.
Results.
We present the results obtained from the first stellar occultation by a transneptunian object using a space telescope orbiting Earth; it was the occultation by Quaoar observed on 2020 June 11. We used the CHEOPS light curve to obtain a surface pressure upper limit of 85 nbar for the detection of a global methane atmosphere. Also, combining this observation with a ground-based observation, we fitted Quaoar’s limb to determine its astrometric position with an uncertainty below 1.0 mas.
Conclusions.
This observation is the first of its kind, and it shall be considered as a proof of concept of stellar occultation observations of transneptunian objects with space telescopes orbiting Earth. Moreover, it shows significant prospects for the
James Webb
Space Telescope.
We present the discovery of two small planets transiting HD 93963A (TOI-1797), a GOV star (
M
*
= 1.109 ± 0.043
M
⊙
,
R
*
= 1.043 ± 0.009
R
⊙
) in a visual binary system. We combined TESS and CHEOPS ...space-borne photometry with MuSCAT 2 ground-based photometry, ‘Alopeke and PHARO high-resolution imaging, TRES and FIES reconnaissance spectroscopy, and SOPHIE radial velocity measurements. We validated and spectroscopically confirmed the outer transiting planet HD 93963 A c, a sub-Neptune with an orbital period of
P
c
≈ 3.65 d that was reported to be a TESS object of interest (TOI) shortly after the release of Sector 22 data. HD 93963 A c has amass of
M
c
= 19.2 ± 4.1
M
⊕
and a radius of
R
c
= 3.228 ± 0.059
R
⊕
, implying a mean density of
ρ
c
= 3.1 ± 0.7 g cm
-3
. The inner object, HD 93963 A b, is a validated 1.04 d ultra-short period (USP) transiting super-Earth that we discovered in the TESS light curve and that was not listed as a TOI, owing to the low significance of its signal (TESS signal-to-noise ratio ≈6.7, TESS + CHEOPS combined transit depth
D
b
= 141.5
−8.3
+8.5
ppm). We intensively monitored the star with CHEOPS by performing nine transit observations to confirm the presence of the inner planet and validate the system. HD 93963 A b is the first small (
R
b
= 1.35 ± 0.042
R
⊕
) USP planet discovered and validated by TESS and CHEOPS. Unlike planet c, HD 93963 Ab is not significantly detected in our radial velocities (
M
b
= 7.8 ± 3.2
M
⊕
). The two planets are on either side of the radius valley, implying that they could have undergone completely different evolution processes. We also discovered a linear trend in our Doppler measurements, suggesting the possible presence of a long-period outer planet. With a
V
-band magnitude of 9.2, HD 93963 A is among the brightest stars known to host a USP planet, making it one of the most favourable targets for precise mass measurement via Doppler spectroscopy and an important laboratory to test formation, evolution, and migration models of planetary systems hosting ultra-short period planets.
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