scholarly journals The CARMENES search for exoplanets around M dwarfs

2020 ◽  
Vol 636 ◽  
pp. A119 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Stock ◽  
J. Kemmer ◽  
S. Reffert ◽  
T. Trifonov ◽  
A. Kaminski ◽  
...  

Context. The nearby ultra-compact multiplanetary system YZ Ceti consists of at least three planets, and a fourth tentative signal. The orbital period of each planet is the subject of discussion in the literature due to strong aliasing in the radial velocity data. The stellar activity of this M dwarf also hampers significantly the derivation of the planetary parameters. Aims. With an additional 229 radial velocity measurements obtained since the discovery publication, we reanalyze the YZ Ceti system and resolve the alias issues. Methods. We use model comparison in the framework of Bayesian statistics and periodogram simulations based on a method by Dawson and Fabrycky to resolve the aliases. We discuss additional signals in the RV data, and derive the planetary parameters by simultaneously modeling the stellar activity with a Gaussian process regression model. To constrain the planetary parameters further we apply a stability analysis on our ensemble of Keplerian fits. Results. We find no evidence for a fourth possible companion. We resolve the aliases: the three planets orbit the star with periods of 2.02 d, 3.06 d, and 4.66 d. We also investigate an effect of the stellar rotational signal on the derivation of the planetary parameters, in particular the eccentricity of the innermost planet. Using photometry we determine the stellar rotational period to be close to 68 d and we also detect this signal in the residuals of a three-planet fit to the RV data and the spectral activity indicators. From our stability analysis we derive a lower limit on the inclination of the system with the assumption of coplanar orbits which is imin = 0.9 deg. From the absence of a transit event with TESS, we derive an upper limit of the inclination of imax = 87.43 deg. Conclusions. YZ Ceti is a prime example of a system where strong aliasing hindered the determination of the orbital periods of exoplanets. Additionally, stellar activity influences the derivation of planetary parameters and modeling them correctly is important for the reliable estimation of the orbital parameters in this specific compact system. Stability considerations then allow additional constraints to be placed on the planetary parameters.

2021 ◽  
Vol 654 ◽  
pp. A104
Author(s):  
N. Unger ◽  
D. Ségransan ◽  
D. Queloz ◽  
S. Udry ◽  
C. Lovis ◽  
...  

Context. We present precise radial-velocity measurements of five solar-type stars observed with the HARPS Echelle spectrograph mounted on the 3.6-m telescope in La Silla (ESO, Chile). With a time span of more than 10 yr and a fairly dense sampling, the survey is sensitive to low mass planets down to super-Earths on orbital periods up to 100 days. Aims. Our goal was to search for planetary companions around the stars HD 39194, HD 93385, HD 96700, HD 154088, and HD 189567 and use Bayesian model comparison to make an informed choice on the number of planets present in the systems based on the radial velocity observations. These findings will contribute to the pool of known exoplanets and better constrain their orbital parameters. Methods. A first analysis was performed using the Data & Analysis Center for Exoplanets online tools to assess the activity level of the star and the potential planetary content of each system. We then used Bayesian model comparison on all targets to get a robust estimate on the number of planets per star. We did this using the nested sampling algorithm POLYCHORD. For some targets, we also compared different noise models to disentangle planetary signatures from stellar activity. Lastly, we ran an efficient Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm for each target to get reliable estimates for the planets’ orbital parameters. Results. We identify 12 planets within several multiplanet systems. These planets are all in the super-Earth and sub-Neptune mass regime with minimum masses ranging between 4 and 13 M⊕ and orbital periods between 5 and 103 days. Three of these planets are new, namely HD 93385 b, HD 96700 c, and HD 189567 c.


2019 ◽  
Vol 627 ◽  
pp. A116 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Lalitha ◽  
D. Baroch ◽  
J. C. Morales ◽  
V. M. Passegger ◽  
F. F. Bauer ◽  
...  

Although M dwarfs are known for high levels of stellar activity, they are ideal targets for the search of low-mass exoplanets with the radial velocity (RV) method. We report the discovery of a planetary-mass companion around LSPM J2116+0234 (M3.0 V) and confirm the existence of a planet orbiting GJ 686 (BD+18 3421; M1.0 V). The discovery of the planet around LSPM J2116+0234 is based on CARMENES RV observations in the visual and near-infrared channels. We confirm the planet orbiting around GJ 686 by analyzing the RV data spanning over two decades of observationsfrom CARMENES VIS, HARPS-N, HARPS, and HIRES. We find planetary signals at 14.44 and 15.53 d in the RV data for LSPM J2116+0234 and GJ 686, respectively. Additionally, the RV, photometric time series, and various spectroscopic indicators show hints of variations of 42 d for LSPM J2116+0234 and 37 d for GJ 686, which we attribute to the stellar rotation periods. The orbital parameters of the planets are modeled with Keplerian fits together with correlated noise from the stellar activity. A mini-Neptune with a minimum mass of 11.8 M⊕ orbits LSPM J2116+0234 producing a RV semi-amplitude of 6.19 m s−1, while a super-Earth of mass 6.6 M⊕ orbits GJ 686 and produces a RV semi-amplitude of 3.0 m s−1. Both LSPM J2116+0234 and GJ 686 have planetary companions populating the regime of exoplanets with masses lower than 15 M⊕ and orbital periods <20 d.


2020 ◽  
Vol 643 ◽  
pp. A112
Author(s):  
S. Stock ◽  
E. Nagel ◽  
J. Kemmer ◽  
V. M. Passegger ◽  
S. Reffert ◽  
...  

We announce the discovery of two planets orbiting the M dwarfs GJ 251 (0.360 ± 0.015M⊙) and HD 238090 (0.578 ± 0.021M⊙) based on CARMENES radial velocity (RV) data. In addition, we independently confirm with CARMENES data the existence of Lalande 21185 b, a planet that has recently been discovered with the SOPHIE spectrograph. All three planets belong to the class of warm or temperate super-Earths and share similar properties. The orbital periods are 14.24 d, 13.67 d, and 12.95 d and the minimum masses are 4.0 ± 0.4 M⊕, 6.9 ± 0.9 M⊕, and 2.7 ± 0.3 M⊕ for GJ 251 b, HD 238090 b, and Lalande 21185 b, respectively. Based on the orbital and stellar properties, we estimate equilibrium temperatures of 351.0 ± 1.4 K for GJ 251 b, 469.6 ± 2.6 K for HD 238090 b, and 370.1 ± 6.8 K for Lalande 21185 b. For the latter we resolve the daily aliases that were present in the SOPHIE data and that hindered an unambiguous determination of the orbital period. We find no significant signals in any of our spectral activity indicators at the planetary periods. The RV observations were accompanied by contemporaneous photometric observations. We derive stellar rotation periods of 122.1 ± 2.2 d and 96.7 ± 3.7 d for GJ 251 and HD 238090, respectively. The RV data of all three stars exhibit significant signals at the rotational period or its first harmonic. For GJ 251 and Lalande 21185, we also find long-period signals around 600 d, and 2900 d, respectively, which we tentatively attribute to long-term magnetic cycles. We apply a Bayesian approach to carefully model the Keplerian signals simultaneously with the stellar activity using Gaussian process regression models and extensively search for additional significant planetary signals hidden behind the stellar activity. Current planet formation theories suggest that the three systems represent a common architecture, consistent with formation following the core accretion paradigm.


2020 ◽  
Vol 638 ◽  
pp. A5 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Carleo ◽  
L. Malavolta ◽  
A. F. Lanza ◽  
M. Damasso ◽  
S. Desidera ◽  
...  

Context. The existence of hot Jupiters is still not well understood. Two main channels are thought to be responsible for their current location: a smooth planet migration through the protoplanetary disk or the circularization of an initial highly eccentric orbit by tidal dissipation leading to a strong decrease in the semimajor axis. Different formation scenarios result in different observable effects, such as orbital parameters (obliquity and eccentricity) or frequency of planets at different stellar ages. Aims. In the context of the GAPS Young Objects project, we are carrying out a radial velocity survey with the aim of searching and characterizing young hot-Jupiter planets. Our purpose is to put constraints on evolutionary models and establish statistical properties, such as the frequency of these planets from a homogeneous sample. Methods. Since young stars are in general magnetically very active, we performed multi-band (visible and near-infrared) spectroscopy with simultaneous GIANO-B + HARPS-N (GIARPS) observing mode at TNG. This helps in dealing with stellar activity and distinguishing the nature of radial velocity variations: stellar activity will introduce a wavelength-dependent radial velocity amplitude, whereas a Keplerian signal is achromatic. As a pilot study, we present here the cases of two known hot Jupiters orbiting young stars: HD 285507 b and AD Leo b. Results. Our analysis of simultaneous high-precision GIARPS spectroscopic data confirms the Keplerian nature of the variation in the HD 285507 radial velocities and refines the orbital parameters of the hot Jupiter, obtaining an eccentricity consistent with a circular orbit. Instead, our analysis does not confirm the signal previously attributed to a planet orbiting AD Leo. This demonstrates the power of the multi-band spectroscopic technique when observing active stars.


1999 ◽  
Vol 170 ◽  
pp. 162-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. W. Noyes ◽  
A. R. Contos ◽  
S. G. Korzennik ◽  
P. Nisenson ◽  
T. M. Brown ◽  
...  

AbstractContinuing precise radial velocity observations of ρ Coronae Borealis have allowed the determination of updated parameters of the 40-day orbit of its Jupiter-mass companion. This confirms the previously reported period and amplitude, and shows a small but marginally significant non-zero eccentricity. It also provides improved predictions for the times of possible transit of the companion in front of the star. The new data provide upper limits to the mass of a possible second companion to the system. The orbital parameters are discussed in the light of scenarios for the origin and migration of extra-solar giant planets.


2008 ◽  
Vol 4 (S253) ◽  
pp. 462-465
Author(s):  
I. Boisse ◽  
C. Moutou ◽  
A. Vidal-Madjar ◽  
F. Bouchy ◽  
F. Pont ◽  
...  

AbstractExoplanet search programs need to study how to disentangle radial-velocity (RV) variations due to Doppler motion and the noise induced by stellar activity. We monitored the active K2V HD 189733 with the high-resolution SOPHIE spectrograph (OHP, France). We refined the orbital parameters of HD 189733b and put limitations on the eccentricity and on a long-term velocity gradient. We subtracted the orbital motion of the planet and compared the variability of activity spectroscopic indices (HeI, Hα, Ca II H&K lines) to the evolution of the RV residuals and the shape of spectral lines. All are in agreement with an active stellar surface in rotation. We used such correlations to correct for the RV jitter due to stellar activity. This results in achieving a high precision on the orbital parameters, with a semi-amplitude: K=200.56±0.88m⋅s−1 and a derived planet mass of MP=1.13±0.03 MJup.


2020 ◽  
Vol 642 ◽  
pp. A72 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Moutou ◽  
S. Dalal ◽  
J.-F. Donati ◽  
E. Martioli ◽  
C. P. Folsom ◽  
...  

SPIRou is the newest spectropolarimeter and high-precision velocimeter that has recently been installed at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope on Maunakea, Hawaii. It operates in the near-infrared and simultaneously covers the 0.98–2.35 μm domain at high spectral resolution. SPIRou is optimized for exoplanet search and characterization with the radial-velocity technique, and for polarization measurements in stellar lines and subsequent magnetic field studies. The host of the transiting hot Jupiter HD 189733 b has been observed during early science runs. We present the first near-infrared spectropolarimetric observations of the planet-hosting star as well as the stellar radial velocities as measured by SPIRou throughout the planetary orbit and two transit sequences. The planetary orbit and Rossiter-McLaughlin anomaly are both investigated and modeled. The orbital parameters and obliquity are all compatible with the values found in the optical. The obtained radial-velocity precision is compatible with about twice the photon-noise estimates for a K2 star under these conditions. The additional scatter around the orbit, of about 8 m s−1, agrees with previous results that showed that the activity-induced scatter is the dominant factor. We analyzed the polarimetric signal, Zeeman broadening, and chromospheric activity tracers such as the 1083nm HeI and the 1282nm Paβ lines to investigate stellar activity. First estimates of the average unsigned magnetic flux from the Zeeman broadening of the FeI lines give a magnetic flux of 290 ± 58 G, and the large-scale longitudinal field shows typical values of a few Gauss. These observations illustrate the potential of SPIRou for exoplanet characterization and magnetic and stellar activity studies.


2019 ◽  
Vol 488 (4) ◽  
pp. 5114-5126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Baptiste Klein ◽  
J-F Donati

ABSTRACT We simulate a radial velocity (RV) follow-up of the TRAPPIST-1 system, a faithful representative of M dwarfs hosting transiting Earth-sized exoplanets to be observed with SPIRou in the months to come. We generate an RV curve containing the signature of the seven transiting TRAPPIST-1 planets and a realistic stellar activity curve statistically compatible with the light curve obtained with the K2 mission. We find a ±5 m s−1 stellar activity signal comparable in amplitude with the planet signal. Using various sampling schemes and white noise levels, we create time-series from which we estimate the masses of the seven planets. We find that the precision on the mass estimates is dominated by (i) the white noise level for planets c, f, and e and (ii) the stellar activity signal for planets b, d, and h. In particular, the activity signal completely outshines the RV signatures of planets d and h that remain undetected regardless of the RV curve sampling and level of white noise in the data set. We find that an RV follow-up of TRAPPIST-1 using SPIRou alone would likely result in an insufficient coverage of the rapidly evolving activity signal of the star, especially with bright-time observations only, making statistical methods such as Gaussian Process Regression hardly capable of firmly detecting planet f and accurately recovering the mass of planet g. In contrast, we show that using bi-site observations with good longitudinal complementary would allow for a more accurate filtering of the stellar activity RV signal.


2019 ◽  
Vol 491 (3) ◽  
pp. 4131-4146 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Zhao ◽  
C G Tinney

ABSTRACT We propose a new analysis methodology – FourIEr phase SpecTrum Analysis (FIESTA, or $\mathit {\Phi }$ESTA) – for the study of spectral line profile variability in Fourier space. The philosophy of $\mathit {\Phi }$ESTA is highlighted in its interpretation of a line deformation as various shifts of the composing Fourier modes. With this ability, $\mathit {\Phi }$ESTA excels in distinguishing the effects of a bulk shift in a line profile, from changes in a line profile shape. In other words, it can distinguish a radial velocity shift due to orbiting companions like planets, from an apparent radial velocity shift due to stellar variability (often referred to as ‘jitter’). Most importantly, it can quantify the radial velocity impact of stellar jitter on each epoch. Our simulations show that (compared to a model that does not account for stellar activity), $\mathit {\Phi }$ESTA can almost triple the fraction of planets recovered with orbital parameters measured to within 10 per cent of their input parameters, when extracting a 2 m s−1 amplitude planetary signal in the midst of ∼2 m s−1 amplitude starspot jitter for high signal-to-noise ratio (&gt;200 pixel−1) data. $\mathit {\Phi }$ESTA can also be used to identify stellar activity related periods in a periodogram analysis and classify relative amplitudes of stellar jitter and planetary signals, with examples for the analysis of HARPS data of the active star HD 224789 and the active planet-host star HD 103720. In the end, we demonstrate that $\mathit {\Phi }$ESTA’s framework is working as well as other activity indicators in correlating with stellar jitter.


2019 ◽  
Vol 621 ◽  
pp. A49 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Cloutier ◽  
N. Astudillo-Defru ◽  
R. Doyon ◽  
X. Bonfils ◽  
J.-M. Almenara ◽  
...  

In an earlier campaign to characterize the mass of the transiting temperate super-Earth K2-18b with HARPS, a second, non-transiting planet was posited to exist in the system at ~9 days. Further radial velocity follow-up with the CARMENES spectrograph visible channel revealed a much weaker signal at 9 days, which also appeared to vary chromatically and temporally, leading to the conclusion that the origin of the 9-day signal was more likely related to stellar activity than to a planetary presence. Here we conduct a detailed reanalysis of all available RV time-series – including a set of 31 previously unpublished HARPS measurements – to investigate the effects of time-sampling and of simultaneous modelling of planetary plus activity signals on the existence and origin of the curious 9-day signal. We conclude that the 9-day signal is real and was initially seen to be suppressed in the CARMENES data due to a small number of anomalous measurements, although the exact cause of these anomalies remains unknown. Investigation of the signal’s evolution in time with wavelength and detailed model comparison reveals that the 9-day signal is most likely planetary in nature. Using this analysis, we reconcile the conflicting HARPS and CARMENES results and measure precise and self-consistent planet masses of mp,b = 8.63 ± 1.35 and mp,c sinic = 5.62 ± 0.84 Earth masses. This work, along with the previously published RV papers on the K2-18 planetary system, highlights the importance of understanding the time-sampling and of modelling the simultaneous planet plus stochastic activity, particularly when searching for sub-Neptune-sized planets with radial velocities.


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