scholarly journals Diagonal Ridge Pattern of Different Age Populations Found in Gaia-DR2 with LAMOST Main-sequence Turnoff and OB-type Stars

2020 ◽  
Vol 902 (1) ◽  
pp. 70
Author(s):  
H.-F. Wang ◽  
Y. Huang ◽  
H.-W. Zhang ◽  
M. López-Corredoira ◽  
W.-Y. Cui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Main Sequence ◽  
Ridge Pattern ◽  
Gaia Dr2

scholarly journals Which stars can see Earth as a transiting exoplanet?

2020 ◽  
Vol 499 (1) ◽  
pp. L111-L115
Author(s):  
L Kaltenegger ◽  
J Pepper
Keyword(s):  
Main Sequence ◽  
Line Of Sight ◽  
Main Sequence Stars ◽  
Target List ◽  
Distant Observer ◽  
Spectroscopic Observations ◽  
Transiting Planets ◽  
Vantage Points ◽  
Life On Earth ◽  
Gaia Dr2

ABSTRACT Transit observations have found the majority of exoplanets to date. Also spectroscopic observations of transits and eclipses are the most commonly used tool to characterize exoplanet atmospheres and will be used in the search for life. However, an exoplanet’s orbit must be aligned with our line of sight to observe a transit. Here, we ask, from which stellar vantage points would a distant observer be able to search for life on Earth in the same way? We use the TESS Input Catalog and data from Gaia DR2 to identify the closest stars that could see Earth as a transiting exoplanet: We identify 1004 main-sequence stars within 100 parsecs, of which 508 guarantee a minimum 10-h long observation of Earth’s transit. Our star list consists of about 77 percent M-type, 12 percent K-type, 6 percent G-type, 4 percent F-type stars, and 1 percent A-type stars close to the ecliptic. SETI searches like the Breakthrough Listen Initiative are already focusing on this part of the sky. Our catalogue now provides a target list for this search. As part of the extended mission, NASA’s TESS will also search for transiting planets in the ecliptic to find planets that could already have found life on our transiting Earth .

scholarly journals Very wide companion fraction from Gaia DR2: A weak or no enhancement for hot Jupiter hosts, and a strong enhancement for contact binaries

2020 ◽  
Vol 497 (2) ◽  
pp. 2250-2259
Author(s):  
Hsiang-Chih Hwang ◽  
Jacob H Hamer ◽  
Nadia L Zakamska ◽  
Kevin C Schlaufman
Keyword(s):  
Main Sequence ◽  
Age Dependence ◽  
Ongoing Debate ◽  
Hot Jupiters ◽  
Field Star ◽  
Random Pairing ◽  
Contact Binaries ◽  
Formation And Evolution ◽  
Gaia Dr2 ◽  
Hot Jupiter

ABSTRACT There is an ongoing debate on whether hot Jupiter hosts are more likely to be found in wide binaries with separations of ≳100 AU. In this paper, we search for comoving, very wide companions with separations of 103–104 AU for hot Jupiter hosts and main-sequence contact binaries in Gaia DR2, and compare the very wide companion fractions with their object-by-object-matched field star samples. We find that 11.9 ± 2.5 per cent of hot Jupiter hosts and 14.1 ± 1.0 per cent of contact binaries have companions at separations of 103–104 AU. While the very wide companion fraction of hot Jupiter hosts is a factor of 1.9 ± 0.5 larger than their matched field star sample, it is consistent, within ∼1σ, with that of matched field stars if the matching is only with field stars without close companions (within ∼50 AU) as is the case for hot Jupiter hosts. The very wide companion fraction of contact binaries is a factor of 3.1 ± 0.5 larger than their matched field star sample, suggesting that the formation and evolution of contact binaries are either tied to or correlated with the presence of wide companions. In contrast, the weak enhancement of very wide companion fraction for hot Jupiter hosts implies that the formation of hot Jupiters is not as sensitive to those environment properties. Our results also hint that the occurrence rates of dual hot Jupiter hosts and dual contact binaries may be higher than the expected values from random pairing of field stars, which may be due to their underlying metallicity and age dependence.

scholarly journals On the Gaia DR2 distances for Galactic luminous blue variables

2019 ◽  
Vol 488 (2) ◽  
pp. 1760-1778 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan Smith ◽  
Mojgan Aghakhanloo ◽  
Jeremiah W Murphy ◽  
Maria R Drout ◽  
Keivan G Stassun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Main Sequence ◽  
Mass Range ◽  
Instability Strip ◽  
Single Star ◽  
Circumstellar Material ◽  
Luminous Blue Variables ◽  
Binary Evolution ◽  
Lower Luminosity ◽  
Gaia Dr2 ◽  
Wide Swath

ABSTRACT We examine parallaxes and distances for Galactic luminous blue variables (LBVs) in the Gaia second data release (DR2). The sample includes 11 LBVs and 14 LBV candidates. For about half of the sample, DR2 distances are either similar to commonly adopted literature values, or the DR2 values have large uncertainties. For the rest, reliable DR2 distances differ significantly from values in the literature, and in most cases the Gaia DR2 distance is smaller. Two key results are that the S Doradus instability strip may not be as clearly defined as previously thought, and that there exists a population of LBVs at relatively low luminosities. LBVs seem to occupy a wide swath from the end of the main sequence at the blue edge to ∼8000 K at the red side, with a spread in luminosity reaching as low as log(L/L⊙) ≈ 4.5. The lower-luminosity group corresponds to effective single-star initial masses of 10–25 M⊙, and includes objects that have been considered as confirmed LBVs. We discuss implications for LBVs including (1) their instability and origin in binary evolution, (2) connections to some supernova (SN) impostors such as the class of SN 2008S-like objects, and (3) LBVs that may be progenitors of SNe with dense circumstellar material across a wide initial mass range. Although some of the Gaia DR2 distances for LBVs have large uncertainty, this represents the most direct and consistent set of Galactic LBV distance estimates available in the literature.

scholarly journals The extended main-sequence turn-off of the Milky Way open cluster Collinder 347

2019 ◽  
Vol 490 (2) ◽  
pp. 2414-2420 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrés E Piatti ◽  
Charles Bonatto
Keyword(s):  
Main Sequence ◽  
Milky Way ◽  
Open Cluster ◽  
Age Difference ◽  
Proper Motions ◽  
Gaussian Distributions ◽  
Young Object ◽  
Magnitude Diagram ◽  
Chemical Content ◽  
Gaia Dr2

ABSTRACT We made use of the Gaia DR2 archive to comprehensively study the Milky Way open cluster Collinder 347, known until now as a very young object of solar metal content. However, the G versus GBP − GRP colour–magnitude diagram (CMD) of bonafide probable cluster members, selected on the basis of individual stellar proper motions, their spatial distribution, and placement in the CMD, reveals the existence of a Hyades-like age open cluster (log(t /yr) = 8.8) of moderately metal-poor chemical content ([Fe/H]  = −0.4 dex), with a present-day mass of 3.3 × 103 M⊙. The cluster exhibits an extended main-sequence turn-off (eMSTO) of nearly 500 Myr, while that computed assuming Gaussian distributions from photometric errors, stellar binarity, rotation, and metallicity spread yields an eMSTO of ∼340 Myr. Such an age difference points to the existence within the cluster of stellar populations with different ages.

scholarly journals A new white dwarf companion around the Δμ star GJ 3346

2020 ◽  
Vol 494 (3) ◽  
pp. 3481-3490
Author(s):  
M Bonavita ◽  
C Fontanive ◽  
S Desidera ◽  
V D’Orazi ◽  
A Zurlo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Effective Temperature ◽  
White Dwarf ◽  
Proper Motion ◽  
Main Sequence ◽  
Archival Data ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Selection Methods ◽  
Open Time ◽  
Substellar Companions ◽  
Gaia Dr2

ABSTRACT We present the discovery of a white dwarf companion at ∼3.6 arcsec from GJ 3346, a nearby (π ∼ 42 mas) K star observed with SPHERE@VLT as part of an open time survey for faint companions to objects with significant proper motion discrepancies (Δμ) between Gaia DR1 and Tycho-2. Syrius-like systems like GJ 3346 AB, which include a main-sequence star and a white dwarf, can be difficult to detect because of the intrinsic faintness of the latter. They have, however, been found to be common contaminants for direct imaging (DI) searches. White dwarfs have in fact similar brightness to substellar companions in the infrared, while being much brighter in the visible bands like those used by Gaia. Combining our observations with Gaia DR2 and with several additional archival data sets, we were able to fully constrain the physical properties of GJ 3346 B, such as its effective temperature (11 × 103 ± 500 K) as well as the cooling age of the system (648 ± 58 Myr). This allowed us to better understand the system history and to partially explain the discrepancies previously noted in the age indicators for this object. Although further investigation is still needed, it seems that GJ 3346, which was previously classified as young, is in fact most likely to be older than 4 Gyr. Finally, given that the mass (0.58 ± 0.01 M⊙) and separation (85 au) of GJ 3346 B are compatible with the observed Δμ, this discovery represents a further confirmation of the potential of this kind of dynamical signatures as selection methods for DI surveys targeting faint, substellar companions.

scholarly journals From birth associations to field stars: mapping the small-scale orbit distribution in the Galactic disc

2020 ◽  
Vol 495 (4) ◽  
pp. 4098-4112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna Coronado ◽  
Hans-Walter Rix ◽  
Wilma H Trick ◽  
Kareem El-Badry ◽  
Jan Rybizki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Main Sequence ◽  
Milky Way ◽  
Space Distribution ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Galactic Disc ◽  
Main Sequence Stars ◽  
Orbital Phase ◽  
Angle Space ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
Gaia Dr2

ABSTRACT Stars born at the same time in the same place should have formed from gas of the same element composition. But most stars subsequently disperse from their birth siblings, in orbit and orbital phase, becoming ‘field stars’. Here, we explore and provide direct observational evidence for this process in the Milky Way disc, by quantifying the probability that orbit-similarity among stars implies indistinguishable metallicity. We define the orbit similarity among stars through their distance in action-angle space, Δ(J, θ), and their abundance similarity simply by Δ[Fe/H]. Analysing a sample of main-sequence stars from Gaia DR2 and LAMOST, we find an excess of pairs with the same metallicity (Δ[Fe/H] < 0.1) that extends to remarkably large separations in Δ(J, θ) that correspond to nearly 1 kpc distances. We assess the significance of this effect through a mock sample, drawn from a smooth and phase-mixed orbit distribution. Through grouping such star pairs into associations with a friend-of-friends algorithm linked by Δ(J,θ), we find 100s of mono-abundance groups with ≥3 (to ≳20) members; these groups – some clusters, some spread across the sky – are over an order-of-magnitude more abundant than expected for a smooth phase-space distribution, suggesting that we are witnessing the ‘dissolution’ of stellar birth associations into the field.

scholarly journals Stellar population of Sco OB2 revealed by Gaia DR2 data

2019 ◽  
Vol 623 ◽  
pp. A112 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Damiani ◽  
L. Prisinzano ◽  
I. Pillitteri ◽  
G. Micela ◽  
S. Sciortino
Keyword(s):  
Stellar Population ◽  
Main Sequence ◽  
Open Cluster ◽  
Proper Motions ◽  
Lower Mass ◽  
Global Pattern ◽  
Field Star ◽  
Photometric Measurements ◽  
Stellar Masses ◽  
Gaia Dr2

Context. The Sco OB2 association is the nearest OB association, extending over approximately 2000 square degrees on the sky. Only its brightest and most massive members are already known (from HIPPARCOS) across its entire size, while studies of its lower mass population refer only to small portions of its extent. Aims. In this work we exploit the capabilities of Gaia DR2 measurements to search for Sco OB2 members across its entire size and down to the lowest stellar masses. Methods. We used both Gaia astrometric (proper motions and parallaxes) and photometric measurements (integrated photometry and colors) to select association members, using minimal assumptions derived mostly from the HIPPARCOS studies. Gaia resolves small details in both the kinematics of individual Sco OB2 subgroups and their distribution with distance from the Sun. We developed methods to explore the 3D kinematics of a stellar population covering large sky areas. Results. We find nearly 11 000 pre-main-sequence (PMS) members of Sco OB2 (with less than 3% field-star contamination), plus ∼3600 main-sequence (MS) candidate members with a larger (10–30%) field-star contamination. A higher confidence subsample of ∼9200 PMS (and ∼1340 MS) members is also selected (<1% contamination for the PMS), however this group is affected by larger (∼15%) incompleteness. We separately classify stars in compact and diffuse populations. Most members belong to one of several kinematically distinct diffuse populations, whose ensemble clearly outlines the shape of the entire association. Upper Sco is the densest region of Sco OB2. It is characterized by a complex spatial and kinematical structure and has no global pattern of motion. Other dense subclusters are found in Lower Centaurus-Crux and in Upper Centaurus-Lupus; the richest example of the latter, which has been recently identified, is coincident with the group near V1062 Sco. Most of the clustered stars appear to be younger than the diffuse PMS population, suggesting star formation in small groups that rapidly disperse and are diluted, reaching space densities lower than field stars while keeping memory of their original kinematics. We also find that the open cluster IC 2602 has a similar dynamics to Sco OB2, and its PMS members are currently evaporating and forming a diffuse (size ∼10°) halo around its double-peaked core.

scholarly journals The study of unclassified B[e] stars and candidates in the Galaxy and Magellanic Clouds†

2019 ◽  
Vol 488 (1) ◽  
pp. 1090-1110 ◽  
Author(s):  
C A H Condori ◽  
M Borges Fernandes ◽  
M Kraus ◽  
D Panoglou ◽  
C A Guerrero
Keyword(s):  
Main Sequence ◽  
Interstellar Extinction ◽  
Large Magellanic Cloud ◽  
Magellanic Cloud ◽  
Magellanic Clouds ◽  
Light Curves ◽  
Evolutionary Stage ◽  
The Third ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Gaia Dr2

ABSTRACT We investigated 12 unclassified B[e] stars or candidates, 8 from the Galaxy, 2 from the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), and 2 from the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). Based on the analysis of high-resolution spectroscopic (FEROS) and photometric data, we confirmed the presence of the B[e] phenomenon for all objects of our sample, except for one (IRAS 07455-3143). We derived their effective temperature, spectral type, luminosity class, interstellar extinction and, using the distances from Gaia DR2, we obtained their bolometric magnitude, luminosity, and radius. Modelling of the forbidden lines present in the FEROS spectra revealed information about the kinematics and geometry of the circumstellar medium of these objects. In addition, we analysed the light curves of four stars, finding their most probable periods. The evolutionary stage of 11 stars of our sample is suggested from their position on the HR diagram, taking into account evolutionary tracks of stars with solar, LMC, and SMC metallicities. As results, we identified B and B[e] supergiants, B[e] stars probably at the main sequence or close to its end, post-AGB and HAeB[e] candidates, and A[e] stars in the main sequence or in the pre-main sequence. However, our most remarkable results are the identification of the third A[e] supergiant (ARDB 54, the first one in the LMC), and of an ‘LBV impostor’ in the SMC (LHA 115-N82).

scholarly journals Strongly magnetic Ap stars in the Gaia DR2 Hertzsprung-Russell diagram

2019 ◽  
Vol 628 ◽  
pp. A81 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.-D. Scholz ◽  
S. Drew Chojnowski ◽  
S. Hubrig
Keyword(s):  
Main Sequence ◽  
Open Cluster ◽  
Quality Criterion ◽  
Quality Criteria ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Unit Weight ◽  
Close Binaries ◽  
Cluster Membership ◽  
Ap Stars ◽  
Gaia Dr2

Context. Knowing the distribution of strongly magnetic Ap stars in the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram (HRD) allows us to study the evolution of their magnetic fields across the main sequence (MS). With a newly extended Ap star sample from APOGEE and available Gaia DR2 data, we can now critically review the results of previous studies based on HIPPARCOS data. Aims. To investigate our targets in the Gaia DR2 HRD, we need to define astrometric and photometric quality criteria to remove unreliable data from the HRD. Methods. We used the Gaia DR2 renormalised unit weight error RUWE as our main quality criterion. We considered known (close) binaries in our sample compared to their (partly affected) astrometry and used the Gaia DR2 data to find common parallax and proper motion (CPPM) wide companions and open cluster members. We studied G, BP, and RP variability amplitudes and their significance as a function of magnitude. In colour-magnitude diagrams (CMDs) with absolute G magnitude (determined from inverted parallax) versus BP − RP colour and HRDs, where BP − RP is replaced by effective temperature, we studied the appearance of outliers with respect to their astrometric quality, binarity, and variability. Results. We present a catalogue of 83 previously known and 154 new strongly magnetic Ap stars with Gaia DR2 data, including astrometric quality parameters, binary flags, information on cluster membership, variability amplitudes, and data from HIPPARCOS. Our astrometrically cleaned subsamples include 47 and 46 old and new Ap stars with parallaxes > 2 mas. Most of the known 26 binaries among all 237 stars and 14 out of 15 CMD/HRD outliers were excluded by astrometric criteria. The remaining 11 known binaries and a few highly variable objects mainly appear in the bright and red CMD/HRD parts. A CMD based on HIPPARCOS photometry and Gaia DR2 parallaxes shows a much more narrow distribution in the absolute V magnitudes of 75 common Ap stars over the full B − V colour range than the corresponding CMD based on HIPPARCOS parallaxes.

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