A Significant Detection of X-ray Polarization in Sco X-1 with PolarLight and Constraints on the Corona Geometry

We report the detection of X-ray polarization in the neutron-star low-mass X-ray binary Scorpius (Sco) X-1 with PolarLight. The result is energy-dependent, with a nondetection in 3–4 keV but a 4σ detection in 4–8 keV; it is also flux-dependent in the 4–8 keV band, with a nondetection when the source displays low fluxes but a 5σ detection during high fluxes, in which case we obtain a polarization fraction of 0.043 ± 0.008 and a polarization angle of 52.°6 ± 5.°4. This confirms a previous marginal detection with OSO-8 in the 1970s and marks Sco X-1 as the second astrophysical source with a significant polarization measurement in the keV band. The measured polarization angle is in line with the jet orientation of the source on the sky plane (54°), which is supposedly the symmetry axis of the system. Combining previous spectral analysis, our measurements suggest that an optically thin corona is located in the transition layer under the highest accretion rates, and disfavor the extended accretion disk corona model.

First Evidence of Intrinsic Alignments of Red Galaxies at z > 1: Cross Correlation between CFHTLenS and FastSound Samples

We report the first evidence for intrinsic alignment (IA) of red galaxies at z > 1. We measure the gravitational shear-intrinsic ellipticity cross correlation function at z ∼ 1.3 using galaxy positions from the FastSound spectroscopic survey and galaxy shapes from the Canada France Hawaii telescope lensing survey data. Adopting the nonlinear alignment model, we obtain a 2.4σ level detection of the IA amplitude A LA = 27.48 − 11.54 + 11.53 (and 2.6σ with A LA = 29.43 − 11.49 + 11.48 when weak lensing contaminations are taken into account), which is larger than the value extrapolated from the constraints obtained at lower redshifts. Our measured IA is translated into a ∼20% contamination of the weak-lensing power spectrum for the red galaxies. This marginal detection of IA for red galaxies at z > 1 motivates the continuing investigation of the nature of IA for weak lensing studies. Furthermore, our result provides the first step to utilize IA measurements in future high-z surveys as a cosmological probe, complementary to galaxy clustering and lensing.

Five New Hot Jupiter Transits Investigated with Swift-UVOT

Short-wavelength exoplanet transit measurements have been used to probe mass loss in exoplanet atmospheres. We present the Swift-UVOT transit light curves for five hot Jupiters orbiting UV-bright F-type stars: XO-3, KELT-3, WASP-3, WASP-62, and HAT-P-6. We report one positive transit detection of XO-3b and one marginal detection of KELT-3b. We place upper limits on the remaining three transit depths. The planetary radii derived from the NUV transit depths of both potential detections are 50%–100% larger than their optical radius measurements. We examine the ratio R NUV/R opt for trends as a function of estimated mass-loss rate, which we derive from X-ray luminosity obtained from the Swift-XRT or, in the case of WASP-62, XMM-Newton. We find no correlation between the energy-limited photoevaporative mass-loss rate and the R NUV/R opt ratio. We also search for trends based on the equilibrium temperature of the hot Jupiters. We find a possible indication of a transition in the R NUV/R opt ratio around T eq = 1700 K, analogous to the trends found for NIR water features in transmission spectra. This might be explained by the formation of extended cloud decks with silicate particles ≤1 μm. We demonstrate that the Swift-UVOT filters could be sensitive to absorption from aerosols in exoplanet atmospheres.

Carbon-chain molecule survey toward four low-mass molecular outflow sources

We performed a carbon-chain molecule (CCM) survey toward four low-mass outflow sources, IRAS 04181+2655 (I04181), HH211, L1524, and L1598, using the 13.7 m telescope at the Purple Mountain Observatory (PMO) and the 65 m Tian Ma Radio telescope at the Shanghai Observatory. We observed the following hydrocarbons (C2H, C4H, c–C3H2), HC2n+1N (n = 1, 2), CnS (n = 2, 3), and SO, HNC, N2H+. Hydrocarbons and HC3N were detected in all the sources, except for L1598, which had a marginal detection of C4H and a non-detection of HC3N (J = 2–1). HC5N and CCCS were only detected in I04181 and L1524, whereas SO was only detected in HH211. L1598 exhibits the lowest detection rate of CCMs and is generally regarded to be lacking in CCMs source. The ratio of N(HC3N/N(N2H+)) increases with evolution in low-mass star-forming cores. I04181 and L1524 are carbon-chain-rich star-forming cores that may possibly be characterized by warm carbon-chain chemistry. In I04181 and L1524, the abundant CCCS can be explained by shocked carbon-chain chemistry. In HH211, the abundant SO suggests that SO is formed by sublimated S+. In this study, we also mapped HNC, C4H, c–C3H2, and HC3N with data from the PMO. We also find that HNC and NH3 are concentrated in L1524S and L1524N, respectively. Furthermore, we discuss the chemical differences between I04181SE and I04181W. The co-evolution between linear hydrocarbon and cyanopolyynes can be seen in I04181SE.

Masses for the seven planets in K2-32 and K2-233

Context. High-precision planetary densities are key pieces of information necessary to derive robust atmospheric properties for extrasolar planets. Measuring precise masses is the most challenging part of this task, especially in multi-planetary systems. The ESO-K2 collaboration focuses on the follow-up of a selection of multi-planetary systems detected by the K2 mission using the HARPS instrument with this goal in mind. Aims. In this work, we measure the masses and densities of two multi-planetary systems: a four-planet near resonant chain system (K2-32) and a young (~400 Myr old) planetary system consisting of three close-in small planets (K2-233). Methods. We obtained 199 new HARPS observations for K2-32 and 124 for K2-233 covering a long baseline of more than three years. We performed a joint analysis of the radial velocities and K2 photometry with PASTIS to precisely measure and constrained the properties of these planets, focusing on their masses and orbital properties. Results. We find that K2-32 is a compact scaled-down version of the Solar System’s architecture, with a small rocky inner planet (Me = 2.1−1.1+1.3 M⊕, Pe ~ 4.35 days) followed by an inflated Neptune-mass planet (Mb = 15.0−1.7+1.8 M⊕, Pb ~ 8.99 days) and two external sub-Neptunes (Mc = 8.1 ± 2.4 M⊕, Pc ~ 20.66 days; Md = 6.7 ± 2.5 M⊕, Pd ~ 31.72 days). K2-32 becomes one of the few multi-planetary systems with four or more planets known where all have measured masses and radii. Additionally, we constrain the masses of the three planets in the K2-233 system through marginal detection of their induced radial velocity variations. For the two inner Earth-size planets we constrain their masses at a 95% confidence level to be smaller than Mb < 11.3 M⊕ (Pb ~ 2.47 days), Mc < 12.8 M⊕ (Pc ~ 7.06 days). The outer planet is a sub-Neptune size planet with an inferred mass of Md = 8.3−4.7+5.2 M⊕ (Md < 21.1 M⊕, Pd ~ 24.36 days). Conclusions. Our observations of these two planetary systems confirm for the first time the rocky nature of two planets orbiting a young star, with relatively short orbital periods (<7 days). They provide key information for planet formation and evolution models of telluric planets. Additionally, the Neptune-like derived masses of the three planets, K2-32 b, c, d, puts them in a relatively unexplored regime of incident flux and planet mass, which is key for transmission spectroscopy studies in the near future.

VLA and ALMA observations of the lensed radio-quiet quasar SDSS J0924+0219: a molecular structure in a 3 μJy radio source

ABSTRACT We present Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) and Atacama Large Millimetre Array (ALMA) observations of SDSS J0924+0219, a z = 1.524 radio-quiet lensed quasar with an intrinsic radio flux density of about 3 $\, \mu$Jy. The four lensed images are clearly detected in the radio continuum and the CO(5–4) line, whose centroid is at z = 1.5254 ± 0.0001, with a marginal detection in the submillimetre continuum. The molecular gas displays ordered motion, in a structure approximately 1–2.5 kpc in physical extent, with typical velocities of 50–100 km s−1. Our results are consistent with the radio emission being emitted from the same region, but not with a point source of radio emission. SDSS J0924+0219 shows an extreme anomaly in the flux ratios of the two merging images in the optical continuum and broad emission lines, suggesting the influence of microlensing by stars in the lensing galaxy. We find the flux ratio in the radio, submillimetre continuum and CO lines to be slightly greater than 1 but much less than that in the optical, which can be reproduced with a smooth galaxy mass model and an extended source. Our results, supported by a microlensing simulation, suggest that the most likely explanation for the optical flux anomaly is indeed microlensing.

K2 observations of the pulsating subdwarf B stars UY Sex and V1405 Ori

ABSTRACT We processed and analysed K2 observations of the pulsating subdwarf-B (sdBV) stars UY Sex and V1405 Ori. We detect 97 p-mode pulsations in UY Sex while we discover V1405 Ori to be a rare rich hybrid pulsator with over 100 p-mode pulsations and 19 g-mode pulsations. We detect frequency multiplets, which we use to identify pulsation modes as well as determine rotation periods. For UY Sex, we find a rotation period of the envelope of 24.6 ± 3.5 d and for V1405 Ori, we find a rotation period of 0.555 ± 0.029 d for the p modes and a marginal detection of 4.2 ± 0.4 d for the g modes. We discover that V1405 Ori is unique among sdBV stars observed to date. It is a rich hybrid pulsator, allowing us to simultaneously probe the envelope and interior; its frequency multiplets indicate V1405 Ori to be rotating differentially with the core rotating more slowly than the envelope, and it is also in a short-period binary (0.398 d) with an envelope that is nearly but not quite tidally locked. For both stars, we have obtained spectroscopic follow-up observations and examine combining them with Gaia parallaxes and archival photometry to determine fundamental properties. Our derived masses are inconsistent with spectroscopy and previous determinations and indicate problems with the methodology.

Detecting the halo heating from AGN feedback with ALMA

ABSTRACT The Sunyaev–Zel’dovich (SZ) effect can potentially be used to investigate the heating of the circumgalactic medium and subsequent suppression of cold gas accretion on to the host galaxy caused by quasar feedback. We use a deep ALMA observation of HE0515-4414 in band 4, the most luminous quasar known at the peak of cosmic star formation (z = 1.7), to search for the SZ signal tracing the heating of the galaxy’s halo. ALMA’s sensitivity to a broad range of spatial scales enables us to disentangle emitting compact sources from the negative, extended SZ signal. We obtain a marginal SZ detection (∼3.3σ) on scales of about 300 kpc (30–40 arcsec), at the 0.2 mJy level, 0.5 mJy after applying a correction factor for primary beam attenuation and flux that is resolved out by the array. We show that our result is consistent with a simulated ALMA observation of a similar quasar in the fable cosmological simulations. We emphasize that detecting an SZ signal is more easily achieved in the visibility plane than in the (inferred) images. We also confirm a marginal detection (3.2σ) of a potential SZ dip on smaller scales (<100 kpc) already claimed by other authors, possibly highlighting the complex structure of the halo heating. Finally, we use SZ maps from the fable cosmological simulations, convolved with ALMA simulations, to illustrate that band 3 observations are much more effective in detecting the SZ signal with higher significance, and discuss the optimal observing strategy.

TESS’s first planet

We report on the confirmation and mass determination of π Men c, the first transiting planet discovered by NASA’s TESS space mission. π Men is a naked-eye (V = 5.65 mag), quiet G0 V star that was previously known to host a sub-stellar companion (π Men b) on a longperiod (Porb = 2091 days), eccentric (e = 0.64) orbit. Using TESS time-series photometry, combined with Gaia data, published UCLES at AAT Doppler measurements, and archival HARPS at ESO-3.6m radial velocities, we found that π Men c is a close-in planet with an orbital period of Porb = 6.27 days, a mass of Mc = 4.52 ± 0.81 M⊕, and a radius of Rc = 2.06 ± 0.03 R⊕. Based on the planet’s orbital period and size, π Men c is a super-Earth located at, or close to, the radius gap, while its mass and bulk density suggest it may have held on to a significant atmosphere. Because of the brightness of the host star, this system is highly suitable for a wide range of further studies to characterize the planetary atmosphere and dynamical properties. We also performed an asteroseismic analysis of the TESS data and detected a hint of power excess consistent with the seismic values expected for this star, although this result depends on the photometric aperture used to extract the light curve. This marginal detection is expected from pre-launch simulations hinting at the asteroseismic potential of the TESS mission for longer, multi-sector observations and/or for more evolved bright stars.

V902 Monocerotis: A likely disc-accreting intermediate polar

Aims. We aim to confirm whether the eclipsing cataclysmic variable (CV) V902 Mon is an intermediate polar (IP), to characterise its X-ray spectrum and flux, and to refine its orbital ephemeris and spin period. Methods. We performed spectrographic observations of V902 Mon in 2016 with the 2.2 m Calar Alto telescope, and X-ray photometry and spectroscopy with XMM-Newton in October 2017. This data was supplemented by several years of AAVSO visual photometry. Results. We confirmed V902 Mon as an IP based on detecting the spin period, which has a value of 2208 s, at multiple epochs. Spectroscopy of the donor star and Gaia parallax yield a distance of 3.5−0.9+1.3 kpc, suggesting an X-ray luminosity one or two orders of magnitude lower than the 1033 erg s−1 typical of previously known IPs. The X-ray to optical flux ratio is also very low. The inclination of the system is more than 79°, and is most likely a value of around 82°. We have refined the eclipse ephemeris, stable over 14 000 cycles. The Hα line is present throughout the orbital cycle and is clearly present during eclipse, suggesting an origin distant from the white dwarf, and shows radial velocity variations at the orbital period. The amplitude and overall recessional velocity seem inconsistent with an origin in the disc. The XMM-Newton observation reveals a partially absorbed plasma model typical of magnetic CVs, that has a fluorescent iron line at 6.4 keV showing a large equivalent width of 1.4 keV. Conclusions. V902 Mon is an IP, and probably a member of the hypothesized X-ray underluminous class of IPs. It is likely to be a disc accretor, although the radial velocity behaviour of the Hα line remains puzzling. The large equivalent width of the fluorescent iron line, the small FX/Fopt ratio, and the only marginal detection of X-ray eclipses suggests that the X-ray emission arises from scattering.