scholarly journals The CARMENES search for exoplanets around M dwarfs

2018 ◽  
Vol 612 ◽  
pp. A49 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Reiners ◽  
M. Zechmeister ◽  
J. A. Caballero ◽  
I. Ribas ◽  
J. C. Morales ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Wavelength Range ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Signal To Noise Ratio ◽  
Rotation Velocity ◽  
Atmospheric Models ◽  
M Dwarfs ◽  
Low Mass Stars ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
M Dwarf

The CARMENES radial velocity (RV) survey is observing 324 M dwarfs to search for any orbiting planets. In this paper, we present the survey sample by publishing one CARMENES spectrum for each M dwarf. These spectra cover the wavelength range 520–1710 nm at a resolution of at least R >80 000, and we measure its RV, Hα emission, and projected rotation velocity. We present an atlas of high-resolution M-dwarf spectra and compare the spectra to atmospheric models. To quantify the RV precision that can be achieved in low-mass stars over the CARMENES wavelength range, we analyze our empirical information on the RV precision from more than 6500 observations. We compare our high-resolution M-dwarf spectra to atmospheric models where we determine the spectroscopic RV information content, Q, and signal-to-noise ratio. We find that for all M-type dwarfs, the highest RV precision can be reached in the wavelength range 700–900 nm. Observations at longer wavelengths are equally precise only at the very latest spectral types (M8 and M9). We demonstrate that in this spectroscopic range, the large amount of absorption features compensates for the intrinsic faintness of an M7 star. To reach an RV precision of 1 m s−1 in very low mass M dwarfs at longer wavelengths likely requires the use of a 10 m class telescope. For spectral types M6 and earlier, the combination of a red visual and a near-infrared spectrograph is ideal to search for low-mass planets and to distinguish between planets and stellar variability. At a 4 m class telescope, an instrument like CARMENES has the potential to push the RV precision well below the typical jitter level of 3–4 m s−1.

scholarly journals Multi-Wavelength High-Resolution Spectroscopy for Exoplanet Detection: Motivation, Instrumentation and First Results

Geosciences ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serena Benatti
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Giant Planet ◽  
High Resolution Spectroscopy ◽  
M Dwarfs ◽  
Low Mass Stars ◽  
First Results ◽  
Multi Wavelength ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
Rocky Planets

Exoplanet research has shown an incessant growth since the first claim of a hot giant planet around a solar-like star in the mid-1990s. Today, the new facilities are working to spot the first habitable rocky planets around low-mass stars as a forerunner for the detection of the long-awaited Sun-Earth analog system. All the achievements in this field would not have been possible without the constant development of the technology and of new methods to detect more and more challenging planets. After the consolidation of a top-level instrumentation for high-resolution spectroscopy in the visible wavelength range, a huge effort is now dedicated to reaching the same precision and accuracy in the near-infrared. Actually, observations in this range present several advantages in the search for exoplanets around M dwarfs, known to be the most favorable targets to detect possible habitable planets. They are also characterized by intense stellar activity, which hampers planet detection, but its impact on the radial velocity modulation is mitigated in the infrared. Simultaneous observations in the visible and near-infrared ranges appear to be an even more powerful technique since they provide combined and complementary information, also useful for many other exoplanetary science cases.

scholarly journals The CARMENES search for exoplanets around M dwarfs

2018 ◽  
Vol 615 ◽  
pp. A6 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. M. Passegger ◽  
A. Reiners ◽  
S. V. Jeffers ◽  
S. Wende-von Berg ◽  
P. Schöfer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Stellar Atmosphere ◽  
Stellar Atmospheres ◽  
Surface Gravity ◽  
M Dwarfs ◽  
Low Mass Stars ◽  
Target Sample ◽  
M Dwarf ◽  
The Phoenix

Context. The new CARMENES instrument comprises two high-resolution and high-stability spectrographs that are used to search for habitable planets around M dwarfs in the visible and near-infrared regime via the Doppler technique. Aims. Characterising our target sample is important for constraining the physical properties of any planetary systems that are detected. The aim of this paper is to determine the fundamental stellar parameters of the CARMENES M-dwarf target sample from high-resolution spectra observed with CARMENES. We also include several M-dwarf spectra observed with other high-resolution spectrographs, that is CAFE, FEROS, and HRS, for completeness. Methods. We used a χ2 method to derive the stellar parameters effective temperature Teff, surface gravity logg, and metallicity [Fe/H] of the target stars by fitting the most recent version of the PHOENIX-ACES models to high-resolution spectroscopic data. These stellar atmosphere models incorporate a new equation of state to describe spectral features of low-temperature stellar atmospheres. Since Teff, logg, and [Fe/H] show degeneracies, the surface gravity is determined independently using stellar evolutionary models. Results. We derive the stellar parameters for a total of 300 stars. The fits achieve very good agreement between the PHOENIX models and observed spectra. We estimate that our method provides parameters with uncertainties of σTeff = 51 K, σlog g = 0.07, and σ[Fe/H] = 0.16, and show that atmosphere models for low-mass stars have significantly improved in the last years. Our work also provides an independent test of the new PHOENIX-ACES models, and a comparison for other methods using low-resolution spectra. In particular, our effective temperatures agree well with literature values, while metallicities determined with our method exhibit a larger spread when compared to literature results.

scholarly journals Magnetic activity in the HARPS M dwarf sample

2017 ◽  
Vol 600 ◽  
pp. A13 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Astudillo-Defru ◽  
X. Delfosse ◽  
X. Bonfils ◽  
T. Forveille ◽  
C. Lovis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Monitoring Program ◽  
Rotation Period ◽  
Magnetic Activity ◽  
Spectral Lines ◽  
M Dwarfs ◽  
Low Mass Stars ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
M Dwarf ◽  
The Relationship

Context. Atmospheric magnetic fields in stars with convective envelopes heat stellar chromospheres, and thus increase the observed flux in the Ca ii H and K doublet. Starting with the historical Mount Wilson monitoring program, these two spectral lines have been widely used to trace stellar magnetic activity, and as a proxy for rotation period (Prot) and consequently for stellar age. Monitoring stellar activity has also become essential in filtering out false-positives due to magnetic activity in extra-solar planet surveys. The Ca ii emission is traditionally quantified through the R'HK-index, which compares the chromospheric flux in the doublet to the overall bolometric flux of the star. Much work has been done to characterize this index for FGK-dwarfs, but M dwarfs – the most numerous stars of the Galaxy – were left out of these analyses and no calibration of their Ca ii H and K emission to an R'HK exists to date. Aims. We set out to characterize the magnetic activity of the low- and very-low-mass stars by providing a calibration of the R'HK-index that extends to the realm of M dwarfs, and by evaluating the relationship between R'HK and the rotation period. Methods. We calibrated the bolometric and photospheric factors for M dwarfs to properly transform the S-index (which compares the flux in the Ca ii H and K lines to a close spectral continuum) into the R'HK. We monitored magnetic activity through the Ca ii H and K emission lines in the HARPS M dwarf sample. Results. The R'HK index, like the fractional X-ray luminosity LX/Lbol, shows a saturated correlation with rotation, with saturation setting in around a ten days rotation period. Above that period, slower rotators show weaker Ca ii activity, as expected. Under that period, the R'HK index saturates to approximately 10-4. Stellar mass modulates the Ca ii activity, with R'HK showing a constant basal activity above 0.6 M⊙ and then decreasing with mass between 0.6 M⊙ and the fully-convective limit of 0.35 M⊙. Short-term variability of the activity correlates with its mean level and stars with higher R'HK indexes show larger R'HK variability, as previously observed for earlier spectral types.

scholarly journals Retrieval of Precise Radial Velocities from Near-infrared High-resolution Spectra of Low-mass Stars

2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (968) ◽  
pp. 104501 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Gao ◽  
Plavchan P. ◽  
Gagné J. ◽  
Furlan E. ◽  
Bottom M. ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Radial Velocities ◽  
Low Mass Stars ◽  
Low Mass

scholarly journals 2MASS J15460752−6258042: a mid-M dwarf hosting a prolonged accretion disc

2020 ◽  
Vol 494 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinhee Lee ◽  
Inseok Song ◽  
Simon Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Accretion Rate ◽  
Spectral Energy Distribution ◽  
Spectral Energy ◽  
Velocity Measurements ◽  
M Dwarfs ◽  
Low Mass Stars ◽  
Infrared Excess ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
M Dwarf ◽  
Gaia Dr2

ABSTRACT We report the discovery of the oldest (∼55 Myr) mid-M type star known to host ongoing accretion. 2MASS J15460752–6258042 (2M1546, spectral type M5, 59.2 pc) shows spectroscopic signs of accretion such as strong H α, He i, and [O i] emission lines, from which we estimate an accretion rate of ∼10−10 M⊙ yr−1. Considering the clearly detected infrared excess in all WISE bands, the shape of its spectral energy distribution (SED) and its age, we believe that the star is surrounded by a transitional disc, clearly with some gas still present at inner radii. The position and kinematics of the star from Gaia DR2 and our own radial-velocity measurements suggest membership in the nearby ∼55 Myr-old Argus moving group. At only 59 pc from Earth, 2M1546 is one of the nearest accreting mid-M dwarfs, making it an ideal target for studying the upper limit on the lifetimes of gas-rich discs around low-mass stars.

scholarly journals Magnetic fields in M-dwarfs from high-resolution infrared spectroscopy

2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (S302) ◽  
pp. 170-173
Author(s):  
D. Shulyak ◽  
A. Reiners ◽  
U. Seemann ◽  
O. Kochukhov ◽  
N. Piskunov
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Spectral Synthesis ◽  
Strong Line ◽  
M Dwarfs ◽  
Low Mass Stars ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
Atomic Lines

AbstractAccurate spectroscopic measurements of magnetic fields in low mass stars remain challenging because of their cool temperatures, strong line blending, and often fast rotation. This is why previous estimates were based either on the analysis of only a few lines or made use of some indirect techniques. This frequently led to noticeable scatter in obtained results. In this talk I will present and discuss new results on the determination of the intensity and geometry of the magnetic fields in M-dwarfs using IR observations obtained with CRIRES@VLT. The instrument provides unprecedented data of high resolution (R = 100 000) which is crucial for resolving individual magnetically broadened molecular and atomic lines. Such an in-depth analysis based on direct magnetic spectral synthesis opens a possibility to deduce both field intensity and geometry avoiding most of the limitation and assumptions made in previous studies.

scholarly journals Precision Radial Velocities in the Near Infrared with TEDI

2008 ◽  
Vol 4 (S253) ◽  
pp. 157-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
James P. Lloyd ◽  
Agnieszka Czeszumska ◽  
Jerry Edelstein ◽  
David Erskine ◽  
Michael Feuerstein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radial Velocity ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Radial Velocities ◽  
Velocity Measurements ◽  
M Dwarfs ◽  
Low Mass Stars ◽  
Habitable Zones ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
Transit Method

AbstractThe TEDI (TripleSpec - Exoplanet Discovery Instrument) is a dedicated instrument for the near-infrared radial velocity search for planetary companions to low-mass stars with the goal of achieving meters-per-second radial velocity precision. Heretofore, such planet searches have been limited almost entirely to the optical band and to stars that are bright in this band. Consequently, knowledge about planetary companions to the populous but visibly faint low-mass stars is limited. In addition to the opportunity afforded by precision radial velocity searches directly for planets around low mass stars, transits around the smallest M dwarfs offer a chance to detect the smallest possible planets in the habitable zones of the parent stars. As has been the the case with followup of planet candidates detected by the transit method requiring radial velocity confirmation, the capability to undertake efficient precision radial velocity measurements of mid-late M dwarfs will be required. TEDI has been commissioned on the Palomar 200” telescope in December 2007, and is currently in a science verification phase.

scholarly journals New disk discovered with VLT/SPHERE around the M star GSC 07396−00759

2018 ◽  
Vol 613 ◽  
pp. L6 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Sissa ◽  
J. Olofsson ◽  
A. Vigan ◽  
J. C. Augereau ◽  
V. D’Orazi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Near Infrared ◽  
Scattered Light ◽  
Debris Disks ◽  
M Dwarfs ◽  
Infrared Excess ◽  
Asymmetric Structures ◽  
High Resolution Imagery ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
Dust Dynamics ◽  
M Dwarf

Debris disks are usually detected through the infrared excess over the photospheric level of their host star. The most favorable stars for disk detection are those with spectral types between A and K, while the statistics for debris disks detected around low-mass M-type stars is very low, either because they are rare or because they are more difficult to detect. Terrestrial planets, on the other hand, may be common around M-type stars. Here, we report on the discovery of an extended (likely) debris disk around the M-dwarf GSC 07396−00759. The star is a wide companion of the close accreting binary V4046 Sgr. The system probably is a member of the β Pictoris Moving Group. We resolve the disk in scattered light, exploiting high-contrast, high-resolution imagery with the two near-infrared subsystems of the VLT/SPHERE instrument, operating in the Y J bands and the H2H3 doublet. The disk is clearly detected up to 1.5′′ (~110 au) from the star and appears as a ring, with an inclination i ~ 83°, and a peak density position at ~70 au. The spatial extension of the disk suggests that the dust dynamics is affected by a strong stellar wind, showing similarities with the AU Mic system that has also been resolved with SPHERE. The images show faint asymmetric structures at the widest separation in the northwest side. We also set an upper limit for the presence of giant planets to 2 MJ. Finally, we note that the 2 resolved disks around M-type stars of 30 such stars observed with SPHERE are viewed close to edge-on, suggesting that a significant population of debris disks around M dwarfs could remain undetected because of an unfavorable orientation.

scholarly journals Fast photometric variability of very low mass stars in IC 348: detection of superflare in an M dwarf

2020 ◽  
Vol 500 (4) ◽  
pp. 5106-5116
Author(s):  
Samrat Ghosh ◽  
Soumen Mondal ◽  
Somnath Dutta ◽  
Ramkrishna Das ◽  
Santosh Joshi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Light Curves ◽  
M Dwarfs ◽  
Low Mass Stars ◽  
Period Range ◽  
Photometric Variability ◽  
Star Forming ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
M Dwarf ◽  
Variability Study ◽  
Optical Flare

ABSTRACT We present here optical I-band photometric variability study down to ≃19 mag of a young (∼2–3 Myr) star-forming region IC 348 in the Perseus molecular cloud. We aim to explore the fast rotation (in the time-scales of hours) in very low-mass stars including brown dwarfs (BDs). From a sample of 177 light curves using our new I-band observations, we detect new photometric variability in 22 young M dwarfs including 6 BDs, which are bonafide members in IC 348 and well characterized in the spectral type of M dwarfs. Out of 22 variables, 11 M dwarfs including one BD show hour-scale periodic variability in the period range 3.5–11 h and rest are aperiodic in nature. Interestingly, an optical flare is detected in a young M2.75 dwarf in one night data on 2016 December 20. From the flare light curve, we estimate the emitted flared energy of 1.48 × 1035 erg. The observed flared energy with an uncertainty of tens of per cent is close to the superflare range (∼1034 erg), which is rarely observed in active M dwarfs.

scholarly journals A closer look at the transition between fully convective and partly radiative low-mass stars

2018 ◽  
Vol 619 ◽  
pp. A177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabelle Baraffe ◽  
Gilles Chabrier
Keyword(s):  
Stellar Evolution ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Main Sequence ◽  
Energy Transport ◽  
M Dwarfs ◽  
Low Mass Stars ◽  
Mixing Processes ◽  
Nuclear Burning ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
M Dwarf

Recently, an analysis of Gaia Data Release 2 revealed a gap in the mid-M dwarf main sequence. The authors suggested the feature is linked to the onset of full convection in M dwarfs. Following the announcement of this discovery, an explanation has been proposed based on standard stellar evolution models. In this paper we re-examine this explanation. We confirm that nuclear burning and mixing processes of 3He provide the best explanation for the observed feature. We also find that a change in the energy transport from convection to radiation does not induce structural changes that could be visible. Regarding the very details of the process, however, we disagree with the details of the published explanation and propose an alternative.

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