arXiv subjects

Andrew Vanderburg

Publications and source records attributed to Andrew Vanderburg.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

arXiv2024

Absence of a Correlation between White Dwarf Planetary Accretion and Primordial Stellar Metallicity

Over a quarter of white dwarfs have photospheric metal pollution, which is evidence for recent accretion of exoplanetary material. While a wide range of mechanisms have been proposed to account for this pollution, there are currently few observational constraints to differentiate between them. To investigate the driving mechanism, we observe a sample of polluted and non-polluted white dwarfs in wide binary systems with main-sequence stars. Using the companion stars' metallicities as a proxy for the white dwarfs' primordial metallicities, we compare the metallicities of polluted and non-polluted systems. Because there is a well-known correlation between giant planet occurrence and higher metallicity (with a stronger correlation for close-in and eccentric planets), these metallicity distributions can be used to probe the role of gas giants in white dwarf accretion. We find that the metallicity distributions of polluted and non-polluted systems are consistent with the hypothesis that both samples have the same underlying metallicity distribution. However, we note that this result is likely biased by several selection effects. Additionally, we find no significant trend between white dwarf accretion rates and metallicity. These findings suggest that giant planets are not the dominant cause of white dwarf accretion events in binary systems.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2024

TESS Hunt for Young and Maturing Exoplanets (THYME) X: a two-planet system in the 210 Myr MELANGE-5 Association

Young (<500 Myr) planets are critical to studying how planets form and evolve. Among these young planetary systems, multi-planet configurations are particularly useful as they provide a means to control for variables within a system. Here, we report the discovery and characterization of a young planetary system, TOI-1224. We show that the planet-host resides within a young population we denote as MELANGE-5 . By employing a range of age-dating methods -- isochrone fitting, lithium abundance analysis, gyrochronology, and Gaia excess variability -- we estimate the age of MELANGE-5 to be 210$\pm$27 Myr. MELANGE-5 is situated in close proximity to previously identified younger (80 -110 Myr) associations, Crius 221 and Theia 424/Volans-Carina, motivating further work to map out the group boundaries. In addition to a planet candidate detected by the TESS pipeline and alerted as a TESS Object of Interest, TOI-1224 b, we identify a second planet, TOI-1224 c, using custom search tools optimized for young stars (Notch and LOCoR). We find the planets are 2.10$\pm$0.09$R_\oplus$ and 2.88$\pm$0.10$R_\oplus$ and orbit their host star every 4.18 and 17.95 days, respectively. With their bright ($K$=9.1 mag), small ($R_{*}$=0.44R$_{\odot}$), and cool ($T_{eff}$ =3326K) host star, these planets represent excellent candidates for atmospheric characterization with JWST.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2024

Trials and Tribulations in the Reanalysis of KELT-24 b: a Case Study for the Importance of Stellar Modeling

We present a new analysis of the KELT-24 system, comprising a well-aligned hot Jupiter, KELT-24~b, and a bright ($V=8.3$), nearby ($d=96.9~\mathrm{pc}$) F-type host star. KELT-24~b was independently discovered by two groups in 2019, with each reporting best-fit stellar parameters that were notably inconsistent. Here, we present three independent analyses of the KELT-24 system, each incorporating a broad range of photometric and spectroscopic data, including eight sectors of TESS photometry and more than 200 new radial velocities (RVs) from MINERVA. Two of these analyses use KELT-24's observed spectral energy distribution (SED) through a direct comparison to stellar evolutionary models, while our third analysis assumes an unknown additional body contributing to the observed broadband photometry and excludes the SED. Ultimately, we find that the models that include the SED are a poor fit to the available data, so we adopt the system parameters derived without it. We also highlight a single transit-like event observed by TESS, deemed likely to be an eclipsing binary bound to KELT-24, that will require follow-up observations to confirm. We discuss the potential of these additional bodies in the KELT-24 system as a possible explanation for the discrepancies between the results of the different modeling approaches, and explore the system for longer-period planets that may be weakly evident in the RV observations. The comprehensive investigations that we present not only increase the fidelity of our understanding of the KELT-24 system, but also serve as a blueprint for future stellar modeling in global analyses of exoplanet systems.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2024

The TEMPO Survey II: Science Cases Leveraged from a Proposed 30-Day Time Domain Survey of the Orion Nebula with the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope

The TEMPO (Transiting Exosatellites, Moons, and Planets in Orion) Survey is a proposed 30-day observational campaign using the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. By providing deep, high-resolution, short-cadence infrared photometry of a dynamic star-forming region, TEMPO will investigate the demographics of exosatellites orbiting free-floating planets and brown dwarfs -- a largely unexplored discovery space. Here, we present the simulated detection yields of three populations: extrasolar moon analogs orbiting free-floating planets, exosatellites orbiting brown dwarfs, and exoplanets orbiting young stars. Additionally, we outline a comprehensive range of anticipated scientific outcomes accompanying such a survey. These science drivers include: obtaining observational constraints to test prevailing theories of moon, planet, and star formation; directly detecting widely separated exoplanets orbiting young stars; investigating the variability of young stars and brown dwarfs; constraining the low-mass end of the stellar initial mass function; constructing the distribution of dust in the Orion Nebula and mapping evolution in the near-infrared extinction law; mapping emission features that trace the shocked gas in the region; constructing a dynamical map of Orion members using proper motions; and searching for extragalactic sources and transients via deep extragalactic observations reaching a limiting magnitude of $m_{AB}=29.7$\,mag (F146 filter).

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2024

Gliese 12 b, A Temperate Earth-sized Planet at 12 Parsecs Discovered with TESS and CHEOPS

We report on the discovery of Gliese 12 b, the nearest transiting temperate, Earth-sized planet found to date. Gliese 12 is a bright ($V=12.6$ mag, $K=7.8$ mag) metal-poor M4V star only $12.162\pm0.005$ pc away from the Solar System with one of the lowest stellar activity levels known for an M-dwarf. A planet candidate was detected by TESS based on only 3 transits in sectors 42, 43, and 57, with an ambiguity in the orbital period due to observational gaps. We performed follow-up transit observations with CHEOPS and ground-based photometry with MINERVA-Australis, SPECULOOS, and Purple Mountain Observatory, as well as further TESS observations in sector 70. We statistically validate Gliese 12 b as a planet with an orbital period of $12.76144\pm0.00006$ days and a radius of $1.0\pm{0.1}$ R$_\oplus$, resulting in an equilibrium temperature of $\sim$315K. Gliese 12 b has excellent future prospects for precise mass measurement, which may inform how planetary internal structure is affected by the stellar compositional environment. Gliese 12 b also represents one of the best targets to study whether Earth-like planets orbiting cool stars can retain their atmospheres, a crucial step to advance our understanding of habitability on Earth and across the Galaxy.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2024

Wide Binary Orbits are Preferentially Aligned with the Orbits of Small Planets, but Probably Not Hot Jupiters

Studying the relative orientations of the orbits of exoplanets and wide-orbiting binary companions (semimajor axis greater than 100 AU) can shed light on how planets form and evolve in binary systems. Previous observations by multiple groups discovered a possible alignment between the orbits of visual binaries and the exoplanets that reside in them. In this study, using data from \textit{Gaia} DR3 and TESS, we confirm the existence of an alignment between the orbits of small planets $(R<6 R_\oplus)$ and binary systems with semimajor axes below 700 AU ($p=10^{-6}$). However, we find no statistical evidence for alignment between planet and binary orbits for binary semimajor axes greater than 700 AU, and no evidence for alignment of large, closely-orbiting planets (mostly hot Jupiters) and binaries at any separation. The lack of orbital alignment between our large planet sample and their binary companions appears significantly different from our small planet sample, even taking into account selection effects. Therefore, we conclude that any alignment between wide-binaries and our sample of large planets (predominantly hot Jupiters) is probably not as strong as what we observe for small planets in binaries with semimajor axes less than 700 AU. The difference in the alignment distribution of hot Jupiters and smaller planets may be attributed to the unique evolutionary mechanisms occuring in systems that form hot Jupiters, including potentially destabilizing secular resonances that onset as the protoplanetary disk dissipates and high-eccentricity migration occurring after the disk is gone.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2024

Occurrence Rates of Exosatellites Orbiting 3-30M$_{\rm Jup}$ Hosts from 44 Spitzer Light Curves

We conduct a comprehensive search for transiting exomoons and exosatellites within 44 archival Spitzer light curves of 32 substellar worlds with estimated masses ranging between 3-30M$_{\rm Jup}$. This sample's median host mass is 16M$_{\rm Jup}$, inclusive of 14 planetary-mass objects, among which one is a wide-orbit exoplanet. We search the light curves for exosatellite signatures and implement a transit injection-recovery test, illustrating our survey's capability to detect $>$0.7R$_{\oplus}$ exosatellites. Our findings reveal no substantial ($>$5$σ$) evidence for individual transit events. However, an unusual fraction of light curves favor the transit model at the 2-3$σ$ significance level, with fitted transit depths consistent with terrestrial-sized (0.7-1.6R$_{\oplus}$) bodies. Comparatively, fewer than 2.2% of randomly generated normal distributions from an equivalent sample size exhibit a similar prevalence of outliers. Should one or two of these outliers represent a real exosatellite transit, it would imply an occurrence rate of $η= 0.61^{+0.49}_{-0.34}$ short-period terrestrial exosatellites per system, consistent with the known occurrences rates for both solar system moons and mid M-dwarf exoplanets. We explore alternative astrophysical interpretations for these outliers, underscoring that transits are not the only plausible explanation. For orbital periods $<$0.8 days, the typical duration of the light curves, we constrain the occurrence rate of sub-Neptunes to $η<$0.35 (95% confidence) and, if none of the detected outlier signals are real, the occurrence rate of terrestrial ($\sim$Earth-sized) exosatellites to $η<$0.51 (95% confidence). Forthcoming JWST observations of substellar light curves will enable detection of sub-Io-sized exosatellites, allowing for much stronger constraints on this exosatellite population.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2024

Ephemeris Matching Reveals False Positive Validated and Candidate Planets from the K2 Mission

Data from the Kepler space telescope have led to the discovery of thousands of planet candidates. Most of these candidates are likely to be real exoplanets, but a significant number of false positives still contaminate the sample, especially in candidate lists from the K2 mission. Identifying and rejecting the false positives lurking in the planet candidates sample is important for prioritizing follow-up resources and measuring the most accurate population statistics. Here, we identify false positives in the K2 planet candidate sample using a technique called "ephemeris matching," in which we compare the period and transit time of different signals. When signals from different stars show the same period and time of transit, we can conclude that at least one of the two signals is contamination. We identify 43 false positives among published K2 planet candidates (nearly 2% of the complete list), one of which (K2-256 b) was previously validated as genuine exoplanet. This work increases the reliability of the K2 planet sample and helps boost confidence in the surviving planet candidates.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2024

Exomoons & Exorings with the Habitable Worlds Observatory I: On the Detection of Earth-Moon Analog Shadows & Eclipses

The highest priority recommendation of the Astro2020 Decadal Survey for space-based astronomy was the construction of an observatory capable of characterizing habitable worlds. In this paper series we explore the detectability of and interference from exomoons and exorings serendipitously observed with the proposed Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) as it seeks to characterize exoplanets, starting in this manuscript with Earth-Moon analog mutual events. Unlike transits, which only occur in systems viewed near edge-on, shadow (i.e., solar eclipse) and lunar eclipse mutual events occur in almost every star-planet-moon system. The cadence of these events can vary widely from ~yearly to multiple events per day, as was the case in our younger Earth-Moon system. Leveraging previous space-based (EPOXI) lightcurves of a Moon transit and performance predictions from the LUVOIR-B concept, we derive the detectability of Moon analogs with HWO. We determine that Earth-Moon analogs are detectable with observation of ~2-20 mutual events for systems within 10pc, and larger moons should remain detectable out to 20pc. We explore the extent to which exomoon mutual events can mimic planet features and weather. We find that HWO wavelength coverage in the near-IR, specifically in the 1.4 micron water band where large moons can outshine their host planet, will aid in differentiating exomoon signals from exoplanet variability. Finally, we predict that exomoons formed through collision processes akin to our Moon are more likely to be detected in younger systems, where shorter orbital periods and favorable geometry enhance the probability and frequency of mutual events.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2024

The black hole low mass X-ray binary V404 Cygni is part of a wide hierarchical triple, and formed without a kick

Evidence suggests that when compact objects such as black holes and neutron stars form, they may receive a ``natal kick,'' where the stellar remnant gains momentum. Observational evidence for neutron star kicks is substantial, yet limited for black hole natal kicks, and some proposed black hole formation scenarios result in very small kicks. Here, we report the discovery that the canonical black hole low-mass X-ray binary V404 Cygni is part of a wide hierarchical triple with a tertiary companion at least 3500 astronomical units away from the inner binary. Given the orbital configuration, the black hole likely received a sub-5 kilometer per second kick to have avoided unbinding the tertiary. This discovery reveals that at least some black holes form with nearly no natal kick. Furthermore, the tertiary in this system lends credence to evolutionary models of low-mass X-ray binaries involving a hierarchical triple structure. Remarkably, the tertiary is evolved, indicating that the system formed 3-5 billion years ago, and that the black hole has removed at least half a solar mass of matter from its evolved secondary companion. During the event in which the black hole formed, it is likely that at least half of the mass of the black hole progenitor collapsed into the black hole; it may even have undergone a complete implosion, enabling the tertiary to remain loosely bound.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2024

Characterization of K2-167 b and CALM, a new stellar activity mitigation method

We report precise radial velocity (RV) observations of HD 212657 (= K2-167), a star shown by K2 to host a transiting sub-Neptune-sized planet in a 10 day orbit. Using Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) photometry, we refined the planet parameters, especially the orbital period. We collected 74 precise RVs with the HARPS-N spectrograph between August 2015 and October 2016. Although this planet was first found to transit in 2015 and validated in 2018, excess RV scatter originally limited mass measurements. Here, we measure a mass by taking advantage of reductions in scatter from updates to the HARPS-N Data Reduction System (2.3.5) and our new activity mitigation method called CCF Activity Linear Model (CALM), which uses activity-induced line shape changes in the spectra without requiring timing information. Using the CALM framework, we performed a joint fit with RVs and transits using EXOFASTv2 and find $M_p = 6.3_{-1.4}^{+1.4}$ $M_{\oplus}$ and $R_p = 2.33^{+0.17}_{-0.15}$ $R_{\oplus}$, which places K2-167 b at the upper edge of the radius valley. We also find hints of a secondary companion at a $\sim$ 22 day period, but confirmation requires additional RVs. Although characterizing lower-mass planets like K2-167 b is often impeded by stellar variability, these systems especially help probe the formation physics (i.e. photoevaporation, core-powered mass loss) of the radius valley. In the future, CALM or similar techniques could be widely applied to FGK-type stars, help characterize a population of exoplanets surrounding the radius valley, and further our understanding of their formation.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2024

TESS Hunt for Young and Maturing Exoplanets (THYME) XI: An Earth-sized Planet Orbiting a Nearby, Solar-like Host in the 400Myr Ursa Major Moving Group

Young terrestrial worlds are critical test beds to constrain prevailing theories of planetary formation and evolution. We present the discovery of HD 63433d - a nearby (22pc), Earth-sized planet transiting a young sunlike star (TOI-1726, HD 63433). HD 63433d is the third planet detected in this multiplanet system. The kinematic, rotational, and abundance properties of the host star indicate that it belongs to the young (414 $\pm$ 23 Myr) Ursa Major moving group, whose membership we update using new data from Gaia DR3 and TESS. Our transit analysis of the TESS light curves indicates that HD 63433 d has a radius of 1.1 $R_\oplus$ and closely orbits its host star with a period of 4.2 days. To date, HD 63433 d is the smallest confirmed exoplanet with an age less than 500 Myr, and the nearest young Earth-sized planet. Furthermore, the apparent brightness of the stellar host (V $\approx$ 6.9 mag) makes this transiting multiplanet system favorable to further investigations, including spectroscopic follow-up to probe atmospheric loss in a young Earth-sized world.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2024

The Orbital Geometries and Stellar Obliquities of Exoplanet-Hosting Multi-Star Systems

The current orbital geometries of exoplanet systems offer a fossilized record of the systems' dynamical histories. A particularly rich set of dynamical mechanisms is available to exoplanets residing in multi-star systems, which may have their evolution shaped by the gravitational influence of bound stellar companions. In this work, we examine the joint distribution of stellar obliquities and orbital orientations for transiting exoplanets residing within astrometrically resolved binary and triple-star systems. We leverage existing constraints on stellar obliquities in exoplanet systems, together with astrometric measurements from Gaia DR3, to uncover a set of fully-aligned, "orderly" exoplanet systems that exhibit evidence of both spin-orbit and orbit-orbit alignment. We also find evidence that the observed distribution of orbit-orbit orientations in our sample is more strongly peaked toward alignment than an isotropic distribution. Our results may be indicative of efficient viscous dissipation by nodally recessing protoplanetary disks, demonstrating a regime in which stellar companions produce and maintain order in planetary systems, rather than enhancing misalignments.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2023

DEATHSTAR: A system for confirming planets and identifying false positive signals in TESS data using ground-based time domain surveys

We present a technique for verifying or refuting exoplanet candidates from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission by searching for nearby eclipsing binary stars using higher-resolution archival images from ground-based telescopes. Our new system is called Detecting and Evaluating A Transit: finding its Hidden Source in Time-domain Archival Records (DEATHSTAR). We downloaded time series of cutout images from two ground-based telescope surveys (the Zwicky Transient Facility, or ZTF, and the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System, or ATLAS), analyzed the images to create apertures and measure the brightness of each star in the field, and plotted the resulting light curves using custom routines. Thus far, we have confirmed on-target transits for 17 planet candidates, and identified 35 false positives and located their actual transit sources. With future improvements to automation, DEATHSTAR will be scaleable to run on the majority of TOIs.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2023

The Strength and Variability of the Helium 10830 Å Triplet in Young Stars, with Implications for Exosphere Detection

Young exoplanets trace planetary evolution, particularly the atmospheric mass loss that is most dynamic in youth. However, the high activity level of young stars can mask or mimic the spectroscopic signals of atmospheric mass loss. This includes the activity-sensitive He 10830 Å triplet, which is an increasingly important exospheric probe. To characterize the He-10830 triplet at young ages, we present time-series NIR spectra for young transiting planet hosts taken with the Habitable-zone Planet Finder. The He-10830 absorption strength is similar across our sample, except at the fastest and slowest rotation, indicating that young chromospheres are dense and populate metastable helium via collisions. Photoionization and recombination by coronal radiation only dominates metastable helium population at the active and inactive extremes. Volatile stellar activity, such as flares and changing surface features, drives variability in the He-10830 triplet. Variability is largest at the youngest ages before decreasing to $\lesssim5-10$ mÅ (or 3%) at ages above 300 Myr, with 6 of 8 stars in this age range agreeing with no intrinsic variability. He-10830 triplet variability is smallest and age-independent at the shortest timescales. Intrinsic stellar variability should not preclude detection of young exospheres, except at the youngest ages. We recommend out-of-transit comparison observations taken directly surrounding transit and observation of multiple transits to minimize activity's effect. Regardless, caution is necessary when interpreting transit observations in the context of stellar activity, as many scenarios can lead to enhanced stellar variability even on timescales of an hour.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2023

Masses, Revised Radii, and a Third Planet Candidate in the "Inverted" Planetary System Around TOI-1266

Is the population of close-in planets orbiting M dwarfs sculpted by thermally driven escape or is it a direct outcome of the planet formation process? A number of recent empirical results strongly suggest the latter. However, the unique architecture of the TOI-1266 system presents a challenge to models of planet formation and atmospheric escape given its seemingly "inverted" architecture of a large sub-Neptune ($P_b=10.9$ days, $R_{p,b}=2.62\pm 0.11\, \mathrm{R}_{\oplus}$) orbiting interior to that of the system's smaller planet ($P_c=18.8$ days, $R_{p,c}=2.13\pm 0.12\, \mathrm{R}_{\oplus}$). Here we present revised planetary radii based on new TESS and diffuser-assisted ground-based transit observations, and characterize both planetary masses using a set of 145 radial velocity measurements from HARPS-N ($M_{p,b}=4.23\pm 0.69\, \mathrm{M}_{\oplus}, M_{p,c}=2.88\pm 0.80\, \mathrm{M}_{\oplus}$). Our analysis also reveals a third planet candidate ($P_d=32.3$ days, $M_{p,d}\sin{i} = 4.59^{+0.96}_{-0.94}\, \mathrm{M}_{\oplus}$), which if real, would form a chain of near 5:3 period ratios, although the system is likely not in a mean motion resonance. Our results indicate that TOI-1266 b and c are among the lowest density sub-Neptunes around M dwarfs and likely exhibit distinct bulk compositions of a gas-enveloped terrestrial ($X_{\mathrm{env},b}=5.5\pm 0.7$%) and a water-rich world (WMF$_c=59\pm 14$%), which is supported by hydrodynamic escape models. If distinct bulk compositions are confirmed through atmospheric characterization, the system's unique architecture would represent an interesting test case of inside-out sub-Neptune formation at pebble traps.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2023

Detection and Preliminary Characterisation of Polluted White Dwarfs from Gaia EDR3 and LAMOST

We present a catalogue of 62 polluted white dwarfs observed by the 9th Low-Resolution Data Release of the Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST LRS DR9v1; R$\approx$1,800) and the Early Data Release 3 (EDR3) of the Gaia Mission. Among these stellar remnants, 30 are new discoveries with previously unknown traces of calcium pollution. To generate our catalogue, we used a database of 4,324 unique Gaia EDR3 white dwarf candidates with LAMOST LRS DR9v1 observations, many of which have been spectroscopically confirmed by other telescopes. For these stars, we developed a quantitative method to detect calcium absorption in their spectra between 3,900-4,000$\mathring {\mathrm A}$, which we then validated through visual inspection and multiple literature cross-checks. Our catalogue provides the astrometric and photometric properties of the white dwarf candidates, incorporates supplementary data (e.g. Montreal White Dwarf Database, MWDD; PanSTARRS; the Hubble Space Telescope), and indicates the possibility of calcium pollution in their atmospheres. For our final sample of polluted white dwarfs, we also determine the main atmospheric properties of 23 sources with effective temperatures $T_{\rm eff}$$\leq$25,000K and no existing calcium abundances in the MWDD. Our analysis represents a first step towards measuring the full atmospheric composition of these stars and learning about the bulk properties of their accreted material. As we venture into the era of wide-field spectroscopic surveys, our work highlights the importance of combining large-scale databases for identifying and characterising new polluted white dwarfs.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2023

A Dataset for Exploring Stellar Activity in Astrometric Measurements from SDO Images of the Sun

We present a dataset for investigating the impact of stellar activity on astrometric measurements using NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) images of the Sun. The sensitivity of astrometry for detecting exoplanets is limited by stellar activity (e.g. starspots), which causes the measured "center of flux" of the star to deviate from the true, geometric, center, producing false positive detections. We analyze Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager continuum image data obtained from SDO between July 2015 and December 2022 to examine this "astrometric jitter" phenomenon for the Sun. We employ data processing procedures to clean the images and compute the time series of the sunspot-induced shift between the center of flux and the geometric center. The resulting time series show quasiperiodic variations up to 0.05% of the Sun's radius at its rotation period.

astro-ph.SR↗