scholarly journals High-resolution Spectra of Earth-like Planets Orbiting Red Giant Host Stars

2020 ◽  
Vol 160 (5) ◽  
pp. 225
Author(s):  
Thea Kozakis ◽  
Lisa Kaltenegger
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Earth Like Planets ◽  
Red Giant ◽  
Host Stars

scholarly journals High-resolution reflection spectra for Proxima b and Trappist-1e models for ELT observations

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z Lin ◽  
L Kaltenegger
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Reflection Spectra ◽  
Habitable Zone ◽  
Climate Indicators ◽  
Reflected Light ◽  
Earth Like Planets ◽  
M Stars ◽  
Large Telescopes ◽  
Host Stars ◽  
Absorption Features

ABSTRACT The closest stars that harbor potentially habitable planets are cool M-stars. Upcoming ground- and space-based telescopes will be able to search the atmosphere of such planets for a range of chemicals. To facilitate this search and to inform upcoming observations, we model the high-resolution reflection spectra of two of the closest potentially habitable exoplanets for a range of terrestrial atmospheres and surface pressures for active and inactive phases of their host stars for both oxic and anoxic conditions: Proxima b, the closest potentially habitable exoplanet, and Trappist-1e, one of 3 Earth-size planets orbiting in the Habitable Zone of Trappist-1. We find that atmospheric spectral features, including biosignatures like O2 in combination with a reduced gas like CH4 for oxic atmospheres, as well as climate indicators like CO2 and H2O for all atmospheres, show absorption features in the spectra of Proxima b and Trappist-1e models. However for some features like oxygen, high-resolution observations will be critical to identify them in a planet's reflected flux. Thus these two planets will be among the best targets for upcoming observations of potential Earth-like planets in reflected light with planned Extremely Large Telescopes.

scholarly journals Venus: key to understanding the evolution of terrestrial planets

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin F. Wilson ◽  
Thomas Widemann ◽  
Richard Ghail
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Radar Imaging ◽  
Space Science ◽  
Interior Surface ◽  
Extended Surface ◽  
Earth Like Planets ◽  
Orbital Mission

AbstractIn this paper, originally submitted in answer to ESA’s “Voyage 2050” call to shape the agency’s space science missions in the 2035–2050 timeframe, we emphasize the importance of a Venus exploration programme for the wider goal of understanding the diversity and evolution of habitable planets. Comparing the interior, surface, and atmosphere evolution of Earth, Mars, and Venus is essential to understanding what processes determined habitability of our own planet and Earth-like planets everywhere. This is particularly true in an era where we expect thousands, and then millions, of terrestrial exoplanets to be discovered. Earth and Mars have already dedicated exploration programmes, but our understanding of Venus, particularly of its geology and its history, lags behind. Multiple exploration vehicles will be needed to characterize Venus’ richly varied interior, surface, atmosphere and magnetosphere environments. Between now and 2050 we recommend that ESA launch at least two M-class missions to Venus (in order of priority): a geophysics-focussed orbiter (the currently proposed M5 EnVision orbiter – [1] – or equivalent); and an in situ atmospheric mission (such as the M3 EVE balloon mission – [2]). An in situ and orbital mission could be combined in a single L-class mission, as was argued in responses to the call for L2/L3 themes [3–5]. After these two missions, further priorities include a surface lander demonstrating the high-temperature technologies needed for extended surface missions; and/or a further orbiter with follow-up high-resolution surface radar imaging, and atmospheric and/or ionospheric investigations.

scholarly journals Chemical analysis of NGC 6528: one of the most metal-rich bulge globular clusters

2018 ◽  
Vol 620 ◽  
pp. A96 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Muñoz ◽  
D. Geisler ◽  
S. Villanova ◽  
I. Saviane ◽  
C. C. Cortés ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Chemical Analysis ◽  
Iron Content ◽  
Globular Clusters ◽  
Chemical Characterization ◽  
Heavy Elements ◽  
High Resolution Spectroscopy ◽  
Origin And Evolution ◽  
Red Giant ◽  
Good Agreement

Context. The bulge globular clusters (GCs) are key tracers of the bulge, a central and ancient component of our Galaxy. It is essential to understand their formation and evolution to study that of the bulge, as well as their relationship with the other Galactic GC systems (halo and disk GCs). High-resolution spectroscopy is a powerful tool for such studies, allowing us to obtain a detailed chemical characterization and kinematics of the clusters and to compare their chemical patterns with those of their halo and disk counterparts. Aims. Our main goals are to obtain detailed abundances for a sample of seven red giant members of NGC 6528 in order to characterize their chemical composition and study the relationship of this GC with the bulge, and with other bulge, halo, and disk GCs. Moreover, we analyze this cluster’s behavior associated with the multiple-populations phenomenon. Methods. We obtained the stellar parameters and chemical abundances of light elements (Na, Al), iron-peak elements (V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu), α-elements (O, Mg, Si, Ca, Ti) and heavy elements (Zr, Ba, Eu) in seven red giant members of NGC 6528 using high-resolution spectroscopy from FLAMES-UVES. Results. In six stars of our sample we obtained a mean iron content of [Fe/H] = − 0.14 ± 0.03 dex, in good agreement with other studies. We found no significant internal iron spread. We detected one candidate variable star, which was excluded from the mean in iron content, and derived a metallicity in this star of [Fe/H] = − 0.55 ± 0.04 dex. Moreover, we found no extended O-Na anticorrelation but instead only an intrinsic Na spread. In addition, NGC 6528 does not exhibit a Mg-Al anticorrelation, and no significant spread in either Mg or Al. The α and iron-peak elements show good agreement with the bulge field star trend. The heavy elements are slightly dominated by the r-process. The chemical analysis suggests an origin and evolution similar to that of typical old Galactic bulge field stars. Finally, we find remarkable agreement in the chemical patterns of NGC 6528 and another bulge GC, NGC 6553, suggesting a similar origin and evolution.

scholarly journals Lithium abundance in lower red giant branch stars of Omega Centauri

2018 ◽  
Vol 618 ◽  
pp. A134 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Mucciarelli ◽  
M. Salaris ◽  
L. Monaco ◽  
P. Bonifacio ◽  
X. Fu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Globular Clusters ◽  
Stellar System ◽  
The Other ◽  
Large Telescope ◽  
Lithium Abundance ◽  
Very Large Telescope ◽  
Red Giant ◽  
Giant Branch Stars ◽  
Branch Star

We present Li, Na, Al, and Fe abundances of 199 lower red giant branch star members of the stellar system Omega Centauri, using high-resolution spectra acquired with FLAMES at the Very Large Telescope. The A(Li) distribution is peaked at A(Li) ∼ 1 dex with a prominent tail towards lower values. The peak of the distribution well agrees with the lithium abundances measured in lower red giant branch stars in globular clusters and Galactic field stars. Stars with A(Li) ∼ 1 dex are found at metallicities lower than [Fe/H] ∼ –1.3 dex but they disappear at higher metallicities. On the other hand, Li-poor stars are found at all metallicities. The most metal-poor stars exhibit a clear Li–Na anti-correlation, where about 30% of the sample have A(Li) lower than ∼0.8 dex, while these stars represent a small fraction of normal globular clusters. Most of the stars with [Fe/H] > –1.6 dex are Li poor and Na rich. The Li depletion measured in these stars is not observed in globular clusters with similar metallicities and we demonstrate that it is not caused by the proposed helium enhancements and/or young ages. Hence, these stars formed from a gas already depleted in lithium. Finally, we note that Omega Centauri includes all the populations (Li-normal/Na-normal, Li-normal/Na-rich, and Li-poor/Na-rich stars) observed, to a lesser extent, in mono-metallic GCs.

scholarly journals Detection of neutral atomic species in the ultra-hot Jupiter WASP-121b

2020 ◽  
Vol 494 (1) ◽  
pp. 363-377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel H C Cabot ◽  
Nikku Madhusudhan ◽  
Luis Welbanks ◽  
Anjali Piette ◽  
Siddharth Gandhi
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Transmission Spectrum ◽  
Cross Correlation ◽  
Hydrogen Atmosphere ◽  
Chemical Processes ◽  
Thermal Inversion ◽  
Hot Jupiters ◽  
Roche Limit ◽  
Careful Treatment ◽  
Host Stars

ABSTRACT The class of ultra-hot Jupiters comprises giant exoplanets undergoing intense irradiation from their host stars. They have proved to be a particularly interesting population for their orbital and atmospheric properties. One such planet, WASP-121b, is in a highly misaligned orbit close to its Roche limit, and its atmosphere exhibits a thermal inversion. These properties make WASP-121b an interesting target for additional atmospheric characterization. In this paper, we present analyses of archival high-resolution optical spectra obtained during transits of WASP-121b. We model the Rossiter-McLaughlin effect and the Centre-to-Limb Variation and find that they do not significantly affect the transmission spectrum in this case. However, we discuss scenarios where these effects warrant more careful treatment by modelling the WASP-121 system and varying its properties. We report a new detection of atmospheric absorption from H α in the planet with a transit depth of $1.87\pm 0.11{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$. We further confirm a previous detection of the Na i doublet, and report a new detection of Fe i via cross-correlation with a model template. We attribute the H α absorption to an extended Hydrogen atmosphere, potentially undergoing escape, and the Fe i to equilibrium chemistry at the planetary photosphere. These detections help to constrain the composition and chemical processes in the atmosphere of WASP-121b.

scholarly journals Solar-like oscillations in subgiant and red-giant stars: mixed modes

2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (S301) ◽  
pp. 325-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Hekker ◽  
A. Mazumdar
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Outer Part ◽  
Space Missions ◽  
Giant Stars ◽  
Internal Structures ◽  
Different Depths ◽  
Mixed Modes ◽  
Red Giant Stars ◽  
Red Giant

AbstractThanks to significant improvements in high-resolution spectrographs and the launch of dedicated space missions MOST, CoRoT and Kepler, the number of subgiants and red-giant stars with detected oscillations has increased significantly over the last decade. The amount of detail that can now be resolved in the oscillation patterns does allow for in-depth investigations of the internal structures of these stars. One phenomenon that plays an important role in such studies are mixed modes. These are modes that carry information of the inner radiative region as well as from the convective outer part of the star allowing to probe different depths of the stars.Here, we describe mixed modes and highlight some recent results obtained using mixed modes observed in subgiants and red-giant stars.

Stellar activity and winds shaping the atmospheres of Earth-like planets

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (S345) ◽  
pp. 181-184
Author(s):  
Theresa Lueftinger ◽  
Manuel Güdel ◽  
Sudeshna Boro Saikia ◽  
Colin Johnstone ◽  
Beatrice Kulterer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Extreme Environments ◽  
Doppler Imaging ◽  
Research Network ◽  
Theoretical Understanding ◽  
Stellar Activity ◽  
Active Stars ◽  
Earth Like Planets ◽  
Stellar Magnetic Fields ◽  
Host Stars

AbstractPlanets orbiting young, active stars are embedded in an environment that is far from being as calm as the present solar neighbourhood. They experience the extreme environments of their host stars, which cannot have been without consequences for young stellar systems and the evolution of Earth-like planets to habitable worlds. Stellar magnetism and the related stellar activity are crucial drivers of ionization, photodissociation, and chemistry. Stellar winds can compress planetary magnetospheres and even strip away the outer layers of their atmospheres, thus having an enormous impact on the atmospheres and the magnetospheres of surrounding exoplanets. Modelling of stellar magnetic fields and their winds is extremely challenging, both from the observational and the theoretical points of view, and only ground breaking advances in observational instrumentation and a deeper theoretical understanding of magnetohydrodynamic processes in stars enable us to model stellar magnetic fields and their winds – and the resulting influence on the atmospheres of surrounding exoplanets – in more and more detail. We have initiated a national and international research network (NFN): ‘Pathways to Habitability – From Disks to Active Stars, Planets to Life’, to address questions on the formation and habitability of environments in young, active stellar/planetary systems. We discuss the work we are carrying out within this project and focus on how stellar evolutionary aspects in relation to activity, magnetic fields and winds influence the erosion of planetary atmospheres in the habitable zone. We present recent results of our theoretical and observational studies based on Zeeman Doppler Imaging (ZDI), field extrapolation methods, wind simulations, and the modeling of planetary upper atmospheres.

scholarly journals High Resolution CO Observations of the Bipolar Nebula CRL2688

1987 ◽  
Vol 115 ◽  
pp. 400-402
Author(s):  
R. Kawabe ◽  
T. Kasuga ◽  
M. Ishiguro ◽  
K-I. Morita ◽  
N. Ukita ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Mass Loss ◽  
Planetary Nebulae ◽  
Optical Emission ◽  
Central Star ◽  
Reflection Nebula ◽  
Red Giant ◽  
Molecular Envelope ◽  
Rapid Mass ◽  
Co Observations

CRL2688 is suggested to be one of the proto-planetary nebulae which are probably at a stage in which the central star is evolving from the red giant phase with rapid mass loss (Zuckerman 1978). The bipolar shape in both the optical and H2emission indicates that a dense toroid of dust and gas obscures the star and surrounds the optical emission. The toroid is probably responsible for channelling the mass loss to the polar directions (Neyet al.1975, Morris 1981, Beckwithet al.1984). We present the results of mapping observations of CO (J = 1-0) emission from the expanding molecular envelope (Zuckermanet al.1976, Loet al.1976, Knappet al.1982, Thronsonet al.1983) of the bipolar reflection nebula CRL2688 using the Nobeyama 45-m telescope with a 1.5″ resolution at a 7″.5 observing spacing.

Swansong biospheres: refuges for life and novel microbial biospheres on terrestrial planets near the end of their habitable lifetimes

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack T. O'Malley-James ◽  
Jane S. Greaves ◽  
John A. Raven ◽  
Charles S. Cockell
Keyword(s):  
Climate Model ◽  
Cold Trap ◽  
Sequence Evolution ◽  
Form Of Life ◽  
Earth Like Planets ◽  
Forms Of Life ◽  
Complex Forms ◽  
End Stage ◽  
Micro Organisms ◽  
Host Stars

AbstractThe future biosphere on Earth (as with its past) will be made up predominantly of unicellular micro-organisms. Unicellular life was probably present for at least 2.5 Gyr before multicellular life appeared and will likely be the only form of life capable of surviving on the planet in the far future, when the ageing Sun causes environmental conditions to become more hostile to more complex forms of life. Therefore, it is statistically more likely that habitable Earth-like exoplanets we discover will be at a stage in their habitable lifetime more conducive to supporting unicellular, rather than multicellular life. The end stage of habitability on Earth is the focus of this work. A simple, latitude-based climate model incorporating eccentricity and obliquity variations is used as a guide to the temperature evolution of the Earth over the next 3 Gyr. This allows inferences to be made about potential refuges for life, particularly in mountains and cold-trap (ice) caves and what forms of life could live in these environments. Results suggest that in high latitude regions, unicellular life could persist for up to 2.8 Gyr from present. This begins to answer the question of how the habitability of Earth will evolve at local scales alongside the Sun's main sequence evolution and, by extension, how the habitability of Earth-like planets would evolve over time with their own host stars.

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