arXiv subjects

A. Schweitzer

Publications and source records attributed to A. Schweitzer.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2022

The CARMENES search for exoplanets around M dwarfs: Stable radial-velocity variations at the rotation period of AD~Leonis -- A test case study of current limitations to treating stellar activity

Context: A challenge with radial-velocity (RV) data is disentangling the origin of signals either due to a planetary companion or to stellar activity. In fact, the existence of a planetary companion has been proposed, as well as contested, around the relatively bright, nearby M3.0V star AD Leo at the same period as the stellar rotation of 2.23d. Aims: We further investigate the nature of this signal. We introduce new CARMENES optical and near-IR RV data and an analysis in combination with archival data taken by HIRES and HARPS, along with more recent data from HARPS-N, GIANO-B, and HPF. Also, we address the confusion concerning the binarity of AD Leo. Methods: We consider possible correlations between the RVs and various stellar activity indicators accessible with CARMENES. We applied models within a Bayesian framework to determine whether a Keplerian model, a red-noise quasi-periodic model using a Gaussian process, or a mixed model would explain the observed data best. We also exclusively focus on spectral lines potentially associated with stellar activity. Results: The CARMENES RV data agree with the previously reported periodicity of 2.23d, correlate with some activity indicators, and exhibit chromaticity. However, when considering the entire RV data set, we find that a mixed model composed of a stable and a variable component performs best. Moreover, when recomputing the RVs using only spectral lines insensitive to activity, there appears to be some residual power at the period of interest. We therefore conclude that it is not possible to determinedly prove that there is no planet orbiting in synchronization with the stellar rotation given our data, current tools, machinery, and knowledge of how stellar activity affects RVs. We do rule out planets more massive than 27M_E (=0.084M_J). We also exclude any binary companion around AD Leo with Msini > 3-6M_J on orbital periods <14yr.

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arXiv2022

TOI-1468: A system of two transiting planets, a super-Earth and a mini-Neptune, on opposite sides of the radius valley

We report the discovery and characterization of two small transiting planets orbiting the bright M3.0V star TOI-1468 (LSPM J0106+1913), whose transit signals were detected in the photometric time series in three sectors of the TESS mission. We confirm the e planetary nature of both of them using precise radial velocity measurements from the CARMENES and MAROON-X spectrographs, and supplement them with ground-based transit photometry. A joint analysis of all these data reveals that the shorter-period planet, TOI-1468 b ($P_{\rm b}$ = 1.88 d), has a planetary mass of $M_{\rm b} = 3.21\pm0.24$ $M_{\oplus}$ and a radius of $R_{\rm b} =1.280^{+0.038}_{-0.039} R_{\oplus}$, resulting in a density of $ρ_{\rm b} = 8.39^{+ 1.05}_{- 0.92}$ g cm$^{-3}$, which is consistent with a mostly rocky composition. For the outer planet, TOI-1468 c ($P_{\rm c} = 15.53$ d), we derive a mass of $M_{\rm c} = 6.64^{+ 0.67}_{- 0.68}$ $M_{\oplus}$, a radius of $R_{\rm c} = 2.06\pm0.04\,R_{\oplus}$, and a bulk density of $ρ_{c} = 2.00^{+ 0.21}_{- 0.19}$ g cm$^{-3}$, which corresponds to a rocky core composition with a H/He gas envelope. These planets are located on opposite sides of the radius valley, making our system an interesting discovery as there are only a handful of other systems with the same properties. This discovery can further help determine a more precise location of the radius valley for small planets around M dwarfs and, therefore, shed more light on planet formation and evolution scenarios.

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arXiv2022

A detailed analysis of the Gl 486 planetary system

The Gl 486 system consists of a very nearby, relatively bright, weakly active M3.5 V star at just 8 pc with a warm transiting rocky planet of about 1.3 R_Terra and 3.0 M_Terra that is ideal for both transmission and emission spectroscopy and for testing interior models of telluric planets. To prepare for future studies, we collected light curves of seven new transits observed with the CHEOPS space mission and new radial velocities obtained with MAROON-X/Gemini North and CARMENES/Calar Alto telescopes, together with previously published spectroscopic and photometric data from the two spectrographs and TESS. We also performed interferometric observations with the CHARA Array and new photometric monitoring with a suite of smaller telescopes. From interferometry, we measure a limb-darkened disc angular size of the star Gl 486. Together with a corrected Gaia EDR3 parallax, we obtain a stellar radius. We also measure a stellar rotation period at P_rot ~ 49.9 d, an upper limit to its XUV (5-920 AA) flux with new Hubble/STIS data, and, for the first time, a variety of element abundances (Fe, Mg, Si, V, Sr, Zr, Rb) and C/O ratio. Besides, we impose restrictive constraints on the presence of additional components, either stellar or substellar, in the system. With the input stellar parameters and the radial-velocity and transit data, we determine the radius and mass of the planet Gl 486 b at R_p = 1.343+/0.063 R_Terra and M_p = 3.00+/-0.13 M_Terra. From the planet parameters and the stellar element abundances, we infer the most probable models of planet internal structure and composition, which are consistent with a relatively small metallic core with respect to the Earth, a deep silicate mantle, and a thin volatile upper layer. With all these ingredients, we outline prospects for Gl 486 b atmospheric studies, especially with forthcoming James Webb Space Telescope observations (abridged).

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arXiv2022

The HD 260655 system: Two rocky worlds transiting a bright M dwarf at 10 pc

We report the discovery of a multi-planetary system transiting the M0 V dwarf HD 260655 (GJ 239, TOI-4599). The system consists of at least two transiting planets, namely HD 260655 b, with a period of 2.77 d, a radius of R$_b$ = 1.240$\pm$0.023 R$_\oplus$, a mass of M$_b$ = 2.14$\pm$0.34 M$_\oplus$, and a bulk density of $ρ_b$ = 6.2$\pm$1.0 g cm$^{-3}$, and HD 260655 c, with a period of 5.71 d, a radius of R$_c$ = 1.533$^{+0.051}_{-0.046}$ R$_\oplus$, a mass of M$_c$ = 3.09$\pm$0.48 M$_\oplus$, and a bulk density of $ρ_c$ = 4.7$^{+0.9}_{-0.8}$ g cm$^{-3}$. The planets were detected in transit by the TESS mission and confirmed independently with archival and new precise radial velocities obtained with the HIRES and CARMENES instruments since 1998 and 2016, respectively. At a distance of 10 pc, HD 260655 becomes the fourth closest known multi-transiting planet system after HD 219134, LTT 1445 A, and AU Mic. Due to the apparent brightness of the host star (J = 6.7 mag), both planets are among the most suitable rocky worlds known today for atmospheric studies with the JWST, both in transmission and emission.

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arXiv2022

A quarter century of spectroscopic monitoring of the nearby M dwarf Gl 514. A super-Earth on an eccentric orbit moving in and out of the habitable zone

We investigated the presence of planetary companions around the nearby (7.6 pc) and bright ($V=9$ mag) early-type M dwarf Gl 514, analysing 540 radial velocities collected over nearly 25 years with the HIRES, HARPS, and CARMENES spectrographs. The data are affected by time-correlated signals at the level of 2-3 ms$^{-1}$ due to stellar activity, that we filtered out testing three different models based on Gaussian process regression. As a sanity cross-check, we repeated the analyses using HARPS radial velocities extracted with three different algorithms. We used HIRES radial velocities and Hipparcos-Gaia astrometry to put constraints on the presence of long-period companions, and we analysed TESS photometric data. We found strong evidence that Gl 514 hosts a super-Earth on a likely eccentric orbit, residing in the conservative habitable zone for nearly $34\%$ of its orbital period. The planet Gl 514 b has minimum mass $m_b\sin i_b=5.2\pm0.9$ $M_{\rm Earth}$, orbital period $P_b=140.43\pm0.41$ days, and eccentricity $e_b=0.45^{+0.15}_{-0.14}$. No evidence for transits is found in the TESS light curve. There is no evidence for a longer period companion in the radial velocities and, based on astrometry, we can rule out a $\sim0.2$ $M_{\rm Jup}$ planet at a distance of $\sim3-10$ au, and massive giant planets/brown dwarfs out to several tens of au. We discuss the possible presence of a second low-mass companion at a shorter distance from the host than Gl 514 b. Gl 514 b represents an interesting science case to study the habitability of planets on eccentric orbits. We advocate for additional spectroscopic follow-up to get more accurate and precise planetary parameters. Further follow-up is also needed to investigate sub \ms and shorter period signals.

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arXiv2022

Discovery and mass measurement of the hot, transiting, Earth-sized planet GJ 3929 b

We report the discovery of GJ 3929 b, a hot Earth-sized planet orbiting the nearby M3.5 V dwarf star, GJ 3929 (G 180--18, TOI-2013). Joint modelling of photometric observations from TESS sectors 24 and 25 together with 73 spectroscopic observations from CARMENES and follow-up transit observations from SAINT-EX, LCOGT, and OSN yields a planet radius of $R_b = 1.150 +/- 0.040$ R$_{earth}$, a mass of $M_b = 1.21 +/- 0.42$ M$_{earth}$, and an orbital period of $P_b = 2.6162745 +/- 0.0000030$ d. The resulting density of $ρ_b= 4.4 +/- 1.6$ g/cm$^{-3}$ is compatible with the Earth's mean density of about 5.5 g/cm$^{-3}$. Due to the apparent brightness of the host star (J=8.7 mag) and its small size, GJ 3929 b is a promising target for atmospheric characterisation with the JWST. Additionally, the radial velocity data show evidence for another planet candidate with $P_{[c]} = 14.303 +/- 0.035$ d, which is likely unrelated to the stellar rotation period, $P_{rot} = 122+/-13$ d, which we determined from archival HATNet and ASAS-SN photometry combined with newly obtained TJO data.

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arXiv2022

A tentative detection of He I in the atmosphere of GJ 1214b

The $\ion{He}{I}$ 10833\,$Å$ triplet is a powerful tool for characterising the upper atmosphere of exoplanets and tracing possible mass loss. Here, we analysed one transit of GJ\,1214\,b observed with the CARMENES high-resolution spectrograph to study its atmosphere via transmission spectroscopy around the $\ion{He}{I}$ triplet. Although previous studies using lower resolution instruments have reported non-detections of $\ion{He}{I}$ in the atmosphere of GJ\,1214\,b, we report here the first potential detection. We reconcile the conflicting results arguing that previous transit observations did not present good opportunities for the detection of $\ion{He}{I}$, due to telluric H$_2$O absorption and OH emission contamination.We simulated those earlier observations, and show evidence that the planetary signal was contaminated. From our single non-telluric-contaminated transit, we determined an excess absorption of 2.10$^{+0.45}_{-0.50}$\,\% (4.6\,$σ$) with a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 1.30$^{+0.30}_{-0.25}$\,Å. The detection of \ion{He}{I} is statistically significant at the 4.6\,$σ$ level, but repeatability of the detection could not be confirmed due to the availability of only one transit. By applying a hydrodynamical model and assuming an H/He composition of 98/2, we found that GJ\,1214\,b would undergo hydrodynamic escape in the photon-limited regime, losing its primary atmosphere with a mass-loss rate of (1.5--18)\,$\times$\,10$^{10}$\,g\,s$^{-1}$ and an outflow temperature in the range of 2900--4400\,K. Our $\ion{He}{I}$ excess absorption is the first tentative detection of a chemical species in the atmosphere of this benchmark sub-Neptune planet.

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arXiv2021

Metallicities in M dwarfs: Investigating different determination techniques

Deriving metallicities for solar-like stars follows well-established methods, but for cooler stars such as M dwarfs, the determination is much more complicated due to forests of molecular lines that are present. Several methods have been developed in recent years to determine accurate stellar parameters for these cool stars ($T_{\rm eff} \lesssim$ 4000 K). However, significant differences can be found at times when comparing metallicities for the same star derived using different methods. In this work, we determine the effective temperatures, surface gravities, and metallicities of 18 well-studied M dwarfs observed with the CARMENES high-resolution spectrograph following different approaches, including synthetic spectral fitting, analysis of pseudo-equivalent widths, and machine learning. We analyzed the discrepancies in the derived stellar parameters, including metallicity, in several analysis runs. Our goal is to minimize these discrepancies and find stellar parameters that are more consistent with the literature values. We attempted to achieve this consistency by standardizing the most commonly used components, such as wavelength ranges, synthetic model spectra, continuum normalization methods, and stellar parameters. We conclude that although such modifications work quite well for hotter main-sequence stars, they do not improve the consistency in stellar parameters for M dwarfs, leading to mean deviations of around 50-200 K in temperature and 0.1-0.3 dex in metallicity. In particular, M dwarfs are much more complex and a standardization of the aforementioned components cannot be considered as a straightforward recipe for bringing consistency to the derived parameters. Further in-depth investigations of the employed methods would be necessary in order to identify and correct for the discrepancies that remain.

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arXiv2021

A multi-planetary system orbiting the early-M dwarf TOI-1238

Two transiting planet candidates with super-Earth radii around the nearby K7--M0 dwarf star TOI-1238 were announced by TESS. We aim to validate their planetary nature using precise radial velocities (RV) taken with the CARMENES spectrograph. We obtained 55 CARMENES RV data that span 11 months. For a better characterization of the parent star's activity, we also collected contemporaneous optical photometric observations and retrieved archival photometry from the literature. We performed a combined TESS+CARMENES photometric and spectroscopic analysis by including Gaussian processes and Keplerian orbits to account for the stellar activity and planetary signals simultaneously. We estimate that TOI-1238 has a rotation period of 40 $\pm$ 5 d based on photometric and spectroscopic data. The combined analysis confirms the discovery of two transiting planets, TOI-1238 b and c, with orbital periods of $0.764597^{+0.000013}_{-0.000011}$ d and $3.294736^{+0.000034}_{-0.000036}$ d, masses of 3.76$^{+1.15}_{-1.07}$ M$_{\oplus}$ and 8.32$^{+1.90}_{-1.88}$ M$_{\oplus}$, and radii of $1.21^{+0.11}_{-0.10}$ R$_{\oplus}$ and $2.11^{+0.14}_{-0.14}$ R$_{\oplus}$. They orbit their parent star at semimajor axes of 0.0137$\pm$0.0004 au and 0.036$\pm$0.001 au, respectively. The two planets are placed on opposite sides of the radius valley for M dwarfs and lie between the star and the inner border of TOI-1238's habitable zone. The inner super-Earth TOI-1238 b is one of the densest ultra-short-period planets ever discovered ($ρ=11.7^{+4.2}_{-3.4}$ g $\rm cm^{-3}$). The CARMENES data also reveal the presence of an outer, non-transiting, more massive companion with an orbital period and radial velocity amplitude of $\geq$600 d and $\geq$70 m s$^{-1}$, which implies a likely mass of $M \geq 2 \sqrt{1-e^2}$ M$_{\rm Jup}$ and a separation $\geq$1.1 au from its parent star.

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arXiv2021

TOI-1201 b: A mini-Neptune transiting a bright and moderately young M dwarf

We present the discovery of a transiting mini-Neptune around TOI-1201, a relatively bright and moderately young early M dwarf ($J \approx$ 9.5 mag, $\sim$600-800 Myr) in an equal-mass $\sim$8 arcsecond-wide binary system, using data from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), along with follow-up transit observations. With an orbital period of 2.49 d, TOI-1201 b is a warm mini-Neptune with a radius of $R_\mathrm{b} = 2.415\pm0.090 R_\oplus$. This signal is also present in the precise radial velocity measurements from CARMENES, confirming the existence of the planet and providing a planetary mass of $M_\mathrm{b} = 6.28\pm0.88 M_\oplus$ and, thus, an estimated bulk density of $2.45^{+0.48}_{-0.42}$ g cm$^{-3}$. The spectroscopic observations additionally show evidence of a signal with a period of 19 d and a long periodic variation of undetermined origin. In combination with ground-based photometric monitoring from WASP-South and ASAS-SN, we attribute the 19 d signal to the stellar rotation period ($P_{rot}=$ 19-23 d), although we cannot rule out that the variation seen in photometry belongs to the visually close binary companion. We calculate precise stellar parameters for both TOI-1201 and its companion. The transiting planet is an excellent target for atmosphere characterization (the transmission spectroscopy metric is $97^{+21}_{-16}$) with the upcoming James Webb Space Telescope. It is also feasible to measure its spin-orbit alignment via the Rossiter-McLaughlin effect using current state-of-the-art spectrographs with submeter per second radial velocity precision.

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arXiv2021

CARMENES input catalog of M dwarfs VI. A time-resolved Ca II H&K catalog from archival data

Radial-velocity (RV) jitter caused by stellar magnetic activity is an important factor in state-of-the-art exoplanet discovery surveys such as CARMENES. Stellar rotation, along with heterogeneities in the photosphere and chromosphere caused by activity, can result in false-positive planet detections. Hence, it is necessary to determine the stellar rotation period and compare it to any putative planetary RV signature. Long-term measurements of activity indicators such as the chromospheric emission in the Ca II H&K lines enable the identification of magnetic activity cycles. In order to determine stellar rotation periods and study the long-term behavior of magnetic activity of the CARMENES guaranteed time observations (GTO) sample, it is advantageous to extract Ca II H&K time series from archival data, since the CARMENES spectrograph does not cover the blue range of the stellar spectrum containing the Ca II H&K lines. We have assembled a catalog of 11634 archival spectra of 186 M dwarfs acquired by seven different instruments covering the Ca II H&K regime: ESPADONS, FEROS, HARPS, HIRES, NARVAL, TIGRE, and UVES. The relative chromospheric flux in these lines was directly extracted from the spectra by rectification with PHOENIX synthetic spectra via narrow passbands around the Ca ii H&K line cores. The combination of archival spectra from various instruments results in time series for 186 stars from the CARMENES GTO sample. As an example of the use of the catalog, we report the tentative discovery of three previously unknown activity cycles of M dwarfs. We conclude that the method of extracting Ca II H&K fluxes with the use of model spectra yields consistent results for different instruments and that the compilation of this catalog will enable the analysis of long-term activity time series for a large number of M dwarfs.

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arXiv2021

The CARMENES search for exoplanets around M dwarfs: Spectroscopic orbits of nine M-dwarf multiple systems, including two triples, two brown dwarf candidates, and one close M-dwarf-white dwarf binary

M dwarfs are ideal targets for the search of Earth-size planets in the habitable zone using the radial velocity method, attracting the attention of many ongoing surveys. As a by-product of these surveys, new multiple stellar systems are also found. This is the case also for the CARMENES survey, from which nine new SB2 systems have already been announced. Throughout the five years of the survey, the accumulation of new observations has resulted in the detection of several new multiple stellar systems with long periods and low radial-velocity amplitudes. Here, we newly characterise the spectroscopic orbits and constrain the masses of eight systems and update the properties of a system that we reported earlier. We derive the radial velocities of the stars using two-dimensional cross correlation techniques and template matching. The measurements are modelled to determine the orbital parameters of the systems. We combine CARMENES spectroscopic observations with archival high-resolution spectra from other instruments to increase the time-span of the observations and improve our analysis. When available, we also added archival photometric, astrometric, and adaptive optics imaging data to constrain the rotation periods and absolute masses of the components. We determine the spectroscopic orbits of nine multiple systems, eight of which are presented for the first time. The sample is composed of five SB1s, two SB2s, and two ST3s. The companions of two of the single-line binaries, GJ 3626 and GJ 912, have minimum masses below the stellar boundary and, thus, could be brown dwarfs. We find a new white dwarf in a close binary orbit around the M star GJ 207.1. From a global fit to radial velocities and astrometric measurements, we are able to determine the absolute masses of the components of GJ 282C, which is one of the youngest systems with measured dynamical masses.

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arXiv2021

The CARMENES search for exoplanets around M dwarfs. Two terrestrial planets orbiting G 264-012 and one terrestrial planet orbiting Gl 393

We report the discovery of two planetary systems, namely G 264-012, an M4.0 dwarf with two terrestrial planets ($M_{\rm b}\sin{i} = 2.50^{+0.29}_{-0.30}$ M$_{\oplus}$ and $M_{\rm c}\sin{i} = 3.75^{+0.48}_{-0.47}$ M$_{\oplus}$), and Gl 393, a bright M2.0 dwarf with one terrestrial planet ($M_{\rm b}\sin{i} = 1.71 \pm 0.24$ M$_{\oplus}$). Although both stars were proposed to belong to young stellar kinematic groups, we estimate their ages to be older than about 700 Ma. The two planets around G 264-012 were discovered using only radial-velocity (RV) data from the CARMENES exoplanet survey, with estimated orbital periods of $2.30$ d and $8.05$ d, respectively. Photometric monitoring and analysis of activity indicators reveal a third signal present in the RV measurements, at about 100 d, caused by stellar rotation. The planet Gl 393 b was discovered in the RV data from the HARPS, CARMENES, and HIRES instruments. Its identification was only possible after modelling, with a Gaussian process (GP), the variability produced by the magnetic activity of the star. For the earliest observations, this variability produced a forest of peaks in the periodogram of the RVs at around the 34 d rotation period determined from {\em Kepler} data, which disappeared in the latest epochs. After correcting for them with this GP model, a significant signal showed at a period of $7.03$ d. No significant signals in any of our spectral activity indicators or contemporaneous photometry were found at any of the planetary periods. Given the orbital and stellar properties, the equilibrium temperatures of the three planets are all higher than that for Earth. Current planet formation theories suggest that these two systems represent a common type of architecture. This is consistent with formation following the core accretion paradigm.

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arXiv2021

The CARMENES search for exoplanets around M dwarfs. Mapping stellar activity indicators across the M dwarf domain

Stellar activity poses one of the main obstacles for the detection and characterisation of small exoplanets around cool stars, as it can induce radial velocity (RV) signals that can hide or mimic the presence of planetary companions. Several indicators of stellar activity are routinely used to identify activity-related signals in RVs, but not all indicators trace exactly the same activity effects, nor are any of them always effective in all stars. We evaluate the performance of a set of spectroscopic activity indicators for M dwarf stars with different masses and activity levels with the aim of finding a relation between the indicators and stellar properties. In a sample of 98 M dwarfs observed with CARMENES, we analyse the temporal behaviour of RVs and nine spectroscopic activity indicators: cross-correlation function (CCF) full-width-at-half-maximum (FWHM), contrast, and bisector inverse slope (BIS), chromatic index (CRX), differential line width (dLW), and indices of the chromospheric lines H$α$ and calcium infrared triplet. A total of 56 stars of the initial sample show periodic signals related to activity in at least one of these ten parameters. RV is the parameter for which most of the targets show an activity-related signal. CRX and BIS are effective activity tracers for the most active stars in the sample, especially stars with a relatively high mass, while for less active stars, chromospheric lines perform best. FWHM and dLW show a similar behaviour in all mass and activity regimes, with the highest number of activity detections in the low-mass, high-activity regime. Most of the targets for which we cannot identify any activity-related signals are stars at the low-mass end of the sample. These low-mass stars also show the lowest RV scatter, which indicates that ultracool M dwarfs could be better candidates for planet searches than earlier types, which show larger RV jitter.

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arXiv2021

An ultra-short-period transiting super-Earth orbiting the M3 dwarf TOI-1685

Dynamical histories of planetary systems, as well as atmospheric evolution of highly irradiated planets, can be studied by characterizing the ultra-short-period planet population, which the TESS mission is particularly well suited to discover. Here, we report on the follow-up of a transit signal detected in the TESS sector 19 photometric time series of the M3.0 V star TOI-1685 (2MASS J04342248+4302148). We confirm the planetary nature of the transit signal, which has a period of P_b=0.6691403+0.0000023-0.0000021 d, using precise radial velocity measurements taken with the CARMENES spectrograph. From the joint photometry and radial velocity analysis, we estimate the following parameters for TOI-1685 b: a mass of M_b=3.78+/-0.63 M_Earth, a radius of R_b=1.70+/-0.07 R_Earth, which together result in a bulk density of rho_b=4.21+0.95-0.82 g/cm3, and an equilibrium temperature of Teq_b=1069+/-16 K. TOI-1685 b is the least dense ultra-short period planet around an M dwarf known to date. TOI-1685 b is also one of the hottest transiting Earth-size planets with accurate dynamical mass measurements, which makes it a particularly attractive target for thermal emission spectroscopy. Additionally, we report a further non-transiting planet candidate in the system, TOI-1685[c], with an orbital period of P_[c]=9.02+0.10-0.12 d.

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arXiv2021

The CARMENES search for exoplanets around M dwarfs, No evidence for a super-Earth in a 2-day orbit around GJ 1151

The interaction between Earth-like exoplanets and the magnetic field of low-mass host stars are considered to produce weak emission signals at radio frequencies. A study using LOFAR data announced the detection of radio emission from the mid M-type dwarf GJ 1151 that could potentially arise from a close-in terrestrial planet. Recently, the presence of a 2.5-Me planet orbiting GJ 1151 with a 2-day period has been claimed using 69 radial velocities (RVs) from the HARPS-N and HPF instruments. We have obtained 70 new high-precision RV measurements in the framework of the CARMENES M-dwarf survey and use these data to confirm the presence of the claimed planet and to place limits on possible planetary companions in the GJ 1151 system. We analyse the periodicities present in the combined RV data sets from all three instruments and calculate the detection limits for potential planets in short-period orbits. We cannot confirm the recently-announced candidate planet and conclude that the 2-day signal in the HARPS-N and HPF data sets is most probably produced by a long-term RV variability possibly arising from an outer planetary companion yet unconstrained. We calculate a 99.9% significance detection limit of 1.50 ms-1 in the RV semi-amplitude, which places upper limits of 0.7 Me and 1.2 Me to the minimum masses of any potential exoplanets with orbital periods of 1 and 5 days, respectively.

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arXiv2021

Mass and density of the transiting hot and rocky super-Earth LHS 1478 b (TOI-1640 b)

One of the main objectives of the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite ({TESS}) mission is the discovery of small rocky planets around relatively bright nearby stars. Here, we report the discovery and characterization of the transiting super-Earth planet orbiting LHS~1478 (TOI-1640). The star is an inactive red dwarf ($J \sim 9.6$\,mag and spectral type m3\,V) with mass and radius estimates of $0.20\pm0.01$\,$M_{\odot}$ and $0.25\pm0.01$\,$R_{\odot}$, respectively, and an effective temperature of $3381\pm54$\,K.It was observed by \tess in four sectors. These data revealed a transit-like feature with a period of 1.949 days. We combined the TESS data with three ground-based transit measurements, 57 radial velocity (RV) measurements from CARMENES, and 13 RV measurements from IRD, determining that the signal is produced by a planet with a mass of $2.33^{+0.20}_{-0.20}$\,$M_{\oplus}$ and a radius of $1.24^{+0.05}_{-0.05}$\,$R_{\oplus}$. The resulting bulk density of this planet is 6.67\,g\,cm$^{-3}$, which is consistent with a rocky planet with an Fe- and MgSiO$_3$-dominated composition. Although the planet would be too hot to sustain liquid water on its surface (its equilibrium temperature is about $\sim$595\,K, suggesting a Venus-like atmosphere), spectroscopic metrics based on the capabilities of the forthcoming James Webb Space Telescope and the fact that the host star is rather inactive indicate that this is one of the most favorable known rocky exoplanets for atmospheric characterization.

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arXiv2021

A nearby transiting rocky exoplanet that is suitable for atmospheric investigation

Spectroscopy of transiting exoplanets can be used to investigate their atmospheric properties and habitability. Combining radial velocity (RV) and transit data provides additional information on exoplanet physical properties. We detect a transiting rocky planet with an orbital period of 1.467 days around the nearby red dwarf star Gliese 486. The planet Gliese 486 b is 2.81 Earth masses and 1.31 Earth radii, with uncertainties of 5%, as determined from RV data and photometric light curves. The host star is at a distance of ~8.1 parsecs, has a J-band magnitude of ~7.2, and is observable from both hemispheres of Earth. On the basis of these properties and the planet's short orbital period and high equilibrium temperature, we show that this terrestrial planet is suitable for emission and transit spectroscopy.

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