arXiv subjects

B. S. Safonov

Publications and source records attributed to B. S. Safonov.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

The curved jet in the young star FN Tau

In the vicinity of the young star FN Tau, we have detected a microjet and four Herbig-Haro objects, whose positions and kinematics indicate the presence of a bipolar collimated outflow from the star - HH 1267. The stellar jet does not propagate rectilinearly, and we discuss the possibility that the curved shape of the jet, whose axis is inclined to the line of sight at an angle $<20^\circ$, results from the precession of the inner regions of the FN Tau protoplanetary disk. Approximately 60 years ago, the star underwent outbursts with an amplitude of $Δm_{\rm pg} \sim 2^{\rm m}$ lasting several months, which we associate with the onset of the microjet.

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arXiv2026

The GAPS programme at TNG LXXI. A sub-Neptune suitable for atmospheric characterization in a multiplanet and mutually inclined system orbiting the bright K dwarf TOI-5789 (HIP 99452)

Sub-Neptunes with planetary radii of $R_{p} \simeq 2-4 R_{\oplus}$ are the most common planets around solar-type stars in short-period ($P<100$ d) orbits. It is still unclear, however, what their most likely composition is, that is whether they are predominantly gas dwarfs or water worlds. The sub-Neptunes orbiting bright host stars are very valuable because they are suitable for atmospheric characterization, which can break the well-known degeneracy in planet composition from the planet bulk density, when combined with a precise and accurate mass measurement. Here we report on the characterization of the sub-Neptune TOI-5789 c, which transits in front of the bright ($V=7.3$ mag and $K_{s}=5.35$ mag) and magnetically inactive K1V dwarf HIP 99452 every 12.93 days, thanks to TESS photometry and 141 high-precision radial velocities obtained with the HARPS-N spectrograph. We find that its radius, mass, and bulk density are $R_{c}=2.86^{+0.18}_{-0.15} R_\oplus$, $M_{c}=5.00 \pm 0.50 M_\oplus$, and $ρ_{c}=1.16 \pm 0.23$ g cm$^{-3}$, and we show that TOI-5789 c is a promising target for atmospheric characterization with both JWST and, in the future, Ariel. By analyzing the HARPS-N radial velocities with different tools, we also detected three additional non-transiting planets, namely TOI-5789 b, d, and e, with orbital periods and minimum masses of $P_{b}=2.76$ d, $M_{b}\sin{i}=2.12 \pm 0.28 M_\oplus$, $P_{d}=29.6$ d, $M_{d}\sin{i}=4.29 \pm 0.68 M_\oplus$, and $P_{e}=63.0$ d, $M_{e}\sin{i}=11.61 \pm 0.97 M_\oplus$. TOI-5789 is a mutually inclined system as the difference between the orbital inclinations of planets b and c must be higher than $\sim4$ deg. Nevertheless, from sensitivity studies based on both the HARPS-N and archival HIRES radial-velocity measurements, we can exclude that these relatively high mutual inclinations are due to the perturbation by an outer gaseous giant planet.

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arXiv2026

The eruptive young star IRAS 21204+4913

The results of photometric, polarimetric, and spectroscopic observations are presented for the young star IRAS 21204+4913, whose visible brightness has increased by $\approx 5^{\rm m}$ since October 2025. The star's absorption spectrum in the $0.36 - 0.75 μ$m range resembles those of A - F giants and supergiants, but it also exhibits molecular TiO bands. The brightening was accompanied by a significant increase in the degree of polarization of the stellar radiation (to $\approx 16 \%$ in the I-band), likely due to scattering by dust in an expanding circumstellar shell. The P Cygni profile of the H$α$ line implies a dusty wind velocity of $\approx 300$ km/s. We believe that the outburst of IRAS 21204+4913 is caused by an increase in the accretion rate of protoplanetary disk's matter onto the young star with a mass of $\lesssim 0.5$ M$_\odot$ to $\gtrsim 3\times 10^{-5}$ M$_\odot$ yr$^{-1}$. Furthermore, IRAS 21204+4913 displays several unusual features: the dependence of the width and radial velocity of absorption lines on the excitation potential, emission in the TiO molecular bands, and a comparably bright outburst that occured in 1948. Several T Tauri stars and a group of Herbig-Haro objects are found in the vicinity of the star.

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arXiv2025

On the influence of component orbital motion on the photometric variability of DF Tau

Based on the analysis of the long-term light curve of the young binary DF Tau spanning approximately 125 years, we infer that its brightness variations are associated with changes in the accretion rate from the circumstellar protoplanetary disk onto the primary. We have also substantially improved the orbital parameters of DF Tau, which enables us to align its secular light curve with the evolution of the binary's component separation. The relationship between the long-term brightness variations and the orbital motion of DF Tau, if present, appears to be inconsistent with theoretical predictions. Notably, similar discrepancies between theory and observations are also seen in other young binary systems. Furthermore, the source of the polarized radiation in the optical range is found to be located at a distance of $\lesssim 0.5^{\prime\prime}$ from the star, with the polarization variability showing no dependence on the orbital phase.

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arXiv2025

On the causes of brightness variability of the young star BP Tau

We have constructed and analysed the secular light curve of BP Tau, a classical T Tauri-type star. Wave-like variations in the average brightness were detected, with an amplitude of $ΔB\approx 0.2$ and characteristic time-scales of several decades. We argue that three deep dimming events $(ΔB \sim 1.5)$, lasting from 1 hour to several days, are caused by the eclipse of a hot (accretion) spot by dust falling onto the star together with gas. Such eclipses, albeit with smaller amplitudes, may explain the absence of a strictly defined periodicity in the brightness variations of BP Tau associated with axial rotation. We also show that within the distance range of 0.1 to 200 AU, BP Tau does not have a companion with a mass exceeding 0.2M$_\odot.$ The causes of brightness and colour index variations on different time-scales are discussed.

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arXiv2024

Precision speckle interferometry with CMOS detector

Speckle polarimeter (SPP) is a facility instrument of the 2.5-m telescope of the Caucasian Mountain Observatory of SAI MSU. By design it is a combination of a speckle interferometer and a dual--beam polarimeter. In 2022 we performed a major upgrade of the instrument. New version of the instrument features Hamamatsu ORCA-Quest qCMOS C15550-20UP, having subelectron readout noise, as a main detector, as opposed to EMCCD Andor iXon 897 used in previous version. Optical distortions present in the instrument are considered as they directly affect the accuracy of the speckle interferometric astrometric measurements of binary stars. We identified the Atmospheric Dispersion Compensator (ADC) as the main source of distortions which are not constant and depend on the rotational angles of ADCs prisms. Distortions are estimated using internal calibration light source and multiple binary stars measurements. Method for their correction is developed. Flux ratio estimates are subject to CMOS-specific negative factors: spatially correlated noise and flux-dependent pixel-to-pixel sensitivity difference. We suggest ways to mitigate these factors. The use of speckle transfer function measured using a reference star further improves flux ratio estimation performance. We discuss the precision of the estimates of position angle, separation and flux ratio of binary stars.

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arXiv2024

The GAPS programme at TNG. LVII. TOI-5076b: A warm sub-Neptune planet orbiting a thin-to-thick-disk transition star in a wide binary system

Aims. We report the confirmation of a new transiting exoplanet orbiting the star TOI-5076. Methods. We present our vetting procedure and follow-up observations which led to the confirmation of the exoplanet TOI-5076b. In particular, we employed high-precision {\it TESS} photometry, high-angular-resolution imaging from several telescopes, and high-precision radial velocities from HARPS-N. Results. From the HARPS-N spectroscopy, we determined the spectroscopic parameters of the host star: T$\rm_{eff}$=(5070$\pm$143) K, log~g=(4.6$\pm$0.3), [Fe/H]=(+0.20$\pm$0.08), and [$α$/Fe]=0.05$\pm$0.06. The transiting planet is a warm sub-Neptune with a mass m$\rm_p=$(16$\pm$2) M$\rm_{\oplus}$, a radius r$\rm_p=$(3.2$\pm$0.1)~R$\rm_{\oplus}$ yielding a density $ρ_p$=(2.8$\pm$0.5) g cm$^{-3}$. It revolves around its star approximately every 23.445 days. Conclusions. The host star is a metal-rich, K2V dwarf, located at about 82 pc from the Sun with a radius of R$_{\star}$=(0.78$\pm$0.01) R$_{\odot}$ and a mass of M$_{\star}$=(0.80$\pm$0.07) M$_{\odot}$. It forms a common proper motion pair with an M-dwarf companion star located at a projected separation of 2178 au. The chemical analysis of the host-star and the Galactic-space velocities indicate that TOI-5076 belongs to the old population of thin-to-thick-disk transition stars. The density of TOI-5076b suggests the presence of a large fraction by volume of volatiles overlying a massive core. We found that a circular orbit solution is marginally favored with respect to an eccentric orbit solution for TOI-5076b.

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arXiv2024

The Discovery and Follow-up of Four Transiting Short-period Sub-Neptunes Orbiting M dwarfs

Sub-Neptunes with $2-3R_\oplus$ are intermediate in size between rocky planets and Neptune-sized planets. The orbital properties and bulk compositions of transiting sub-Neptunes provide clues to the formation and evolution of close-in small planets. In this paper, we present the discovery and follow-up of four sub-Neptunes orbiting M dwarfs (TOI-782, TOI-1448, TOI-2120, and TOI-2406), three of which were newly validated by ground-based follow-up observations and statistical analyses. TOI-782 b, TOI-1448 b, TOI-2120 b, and TOI-2406 b have radii of $R_\mathrm{p} = 2.740^{+0.082}_{-0.079}\,R_\oplus$, $2.769^{+0.073}_{-0.068}\,R_\oplus$, $2.120\pm0.067\,R_\oplus$, and $2.830^{+0.068}_{-0.066}\,R_\oplus$ and orbital periods of $P = 8.02$, $8.11$, $5.80$, and $3.08$\,days, respectively. Doppler monitoring with Subaru/InfraRed Doppler instrument led to 2$σ$ upper limits on the masses of $<19.1\ M_\oplus$, $<19.5\ M_\oplus$, $<6.8\ M_\oplus$, and $<15.6\ M_\oplus$ for TOI-782 b, TOI-1448 b, TOI-2120 b, and TOI-2406 b, respectively. The mass-radius relationship of these four sub-Neptunes testifies to the existence of volatile material in their interiors. These four sub-Neptunes, which are located above the so-called ``radius valley'', are likely to retain a significant atmosphere and/or an icy mantle on the core, such as a water world. We find that at least three of the four sub-Neptunes (TOI-782 b, TOI-2120 b, and TOI-2406 b) orbiting M dwarfs older than 1 Gyr, are likely to have eccentricities of $e \sim 0.2-0.3$. The fact that tidal circularization of their orbits is not achieved over 1 Gyr suggests inefficient tidal dissipation in their interiors.

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arXiv2024

The jet of BP Tau

A strong global magnetic field of young low-mass stars and a high accretion rate are the necessary conditions for the formation of collimated outflows (jets) from these objects. But it is still unclear whether these conditions are also sufficient. We aim to check whether BP Tau, an actively accreting young star with a strong magnetic field, has a jet. We carried out narrowband SII 672 nm imaging and spectroscopic observations of BP Tau and its vicinity. We find that BP Tau is a source of a Herbig-Haro flow (assigned number HH 1181), which includes two HH objects moving from the star in opposite directions and a micro- (counter-) jet of ~ 1" projected length. The flow is oriented along position angle $59 \pm 1$ degree.

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arXiv2024

Optical Identification and Spectroscopic Redshift Measurements of 216 Galaxy Clusters from the SRG/eROSITA All-Sky Survey

We present the results of the optical identification and spectroscopic redshift measurements of 216 galaxy clusters detected in the SRG/eROSITA all-sky X-ray survey. The spectroscopic observations were performed in 2020-2023 with the 6-m BTA telescope at the Special Astrophysical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the 2.5-m telescope at the Caucasus Mountain Observatory of the Sternberg Astronomical Institute of the Moscow State University, the 1.6-m AZT-33IK telescope at the Sayan Solar Observatory of the Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and the 1.5-m Russian-Turkish telescope (RTT-150) at the TÜBİTAK Observatory. For all of the galaxy clusters presented here the spectroscopic redshift measurements have been obtained for the first time. Of these, 139 galaxy clusters have been detected for the first time in the SRG/eROSITA survey and 22 galaxy clusters are at redshifts $z_{spec} \gtrsim 0.7$, including three at $z_{spec} \gtrsim 1$. Deep direct images with the rizJK filters have also been obtained for four distant galaxy clusters at $z_{spec} > 0.7$. For these observations the most massive clusters are selected. Therefore, most of the galaxy clusters presented here most likely will be included in the cosmological samples of galaxy clusters from the SRG/eROSITA survey.

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arXiv2024

ZZ Tau IRS: a low mass UX Ori type star with strong wind

The results of photometric, polarimetric and spectroscopic observations of the young star ZZ Tau IRS in the visible and near-infrared bands are presented. Against the continuum of an M spectral type star about 50 emission lines of allowed (HI, HeI, NaI, SII) and forbidden (OI, OII, OIII, NI, NII, SII, CaII, FeII, NiII) transitions were identified. It was found that from the autumn of 2020 to the beginning of 2023, the brightness of the star in the visible region decreased $(ΔI \approx 1.5^m),$ and then began to return to initial level. As the visible brightness of the star declined, its colour indices decreased in the visible region, but increased in the near-IR bands. At light minimum, the degree of polarization in the $I$ band reached $\approx$ 13%, and the equivalent widths of e.g. the H$α$ and [SII] 6731 A lines increased to 376 and 79 A, respectively. Arguments are given in favour of ZZ Tau IRS being a UX Ori type star, and its variability being due to eclipses by dust clouds, which are inhomogeneities in the dusty disc wind. Forbidden lines are formed both in the disc wind and in the jet, the axis of which is oriented along PA$=61\pm 3$ degrees. The jet mass-loss rate is $>5 \times 10^{-10}$ M$_\odot$/yr, what is abnormally large for a star with a mass of $<0.3$ M$_\odot.$ Apparently, the disc wind of ZZ Tau IRS is not axially symmetric, probably due to the azimuthal asymmetry of the protoplanetary disc found earlier from ALMA observations.

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arXiv2023

Two super-Earths at the edge of the habitable zone of the nearby M dwarf TOI-2095

The main scientific goal of TESS is to find planets smaller than Neptune around stars that are bright enough to allow for further characterization studies. Given our current instrumentation and detection biases, M dwarfs are prime targets in the search for small planets that are in (or near) the habitable zone of their host star. In this work, we use photometric observations and CARMENES radial velocity measurements to validate a pair of transiting planet candidates found by TESS. The data were fitted simultaneously, using a Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) procedure and taking into account the stellar variability present in the photometric and spectroscopic time series. We confirm the planetary origin of the two transiting candidates orbiting around TOI-2095 (LSPM J1902+7525). The star is a nearby M dwarf ($d = 41.90 \pm 0.03$ pc, $T_{\rm eff} = 3759 \pm 87$ K, $V = 12.6$ mag), with a stellar mass and radius of $M_\star = 0.44 \pm 0.02 \; M_\odot$ and $R_\star = 0.44 \pm 0.02 \; R_\odot$, respectively. The planetary system is composed of two transiting planets: TOI-2095b, with an orbital period of $P_b = 17.66484 \pm (7\times 10^{-5})$ days, and TOI-2095c, with $P_c = 28.17232 \pm (14\times 10^{-5})$ days. Both planets have similar sizes with $R_b = 1.25 \pm 0.07 \; R_\oplus$ and $R_c = 1.33 \pm 0.08 \; R_\oplus$ for planet b and planet c, respectively. Although we did not detect the induced RV variations of any planet with significance, our CARMENES data allow us to set stringent upper limits on the masses of these objects. We find $M_b < 4.1 \; M_\oplus$ for the inner and $M_c < 7.4 \; M_\oplus$ for the outer planet (95% confidence level). These two planets present equilibrium temperatures in the range of 300-350 K and are close to the inner edge of the habitable zone of their star.

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arXiv2023

Speckle Interferometry with CMOS Detector

In 2022 we carried out an upgrade of the speckle polarimeter (SPP) -- the facility instrument of the 2.5-m telescope of the Caucasian Observatory of the SAI MSU. During the overhaul, CMOS Hamamatsu ORCA-Quest qCMOS C15550-20UP was installed as the main detector, some drawback of the previous version of the instrument were eliminated. In this paper, we present a description of the instrument, as well as study some features of the CMOS detector and ways to take them into account in speckle interferometric processing. Quantitative comparison of CMOS and EMCCD in the context of speckle interferometry is performed using numerical simulation of the detection process. Speckle interferometric observations of 25 young variable stars are given as an example of astronomical result. It was found that BM And is a binary system with a separation of 273 mas. The variability of the system is dominated by the brightness variations of the main component. A binary system was also found in NSV 16694 (TYC 120-876-1). The separation of this system is 202 mas.

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arXiv2022

Confirmation and characterisation of three giant planets detected by TESS from the FIES/NOT and Tull/McDonald spectrographs

We report the confirmation and characterisation of TOI-1820~b, TOI-2025~b, and TOI-2158~b, three Jupiter-sized planets on short-period orbits around G-type stars detected by TESS. Through our ground-based efforts using the FIES and Tull spectrographs, we have confirmed these planets and characterised their orbits, and find periods of around $4.9$~d, $8.9$~d, and $8.6$~d for TOI-1820~b, TOI-2025~b, and TOI-2158~b, respectively. The sizes of the planets range from 0.96 to 1.14 Jupiter radii, and their masses are in the range from 0.8 to 4.4 Jupiter masses. For two of the systems, namely TOI-2025 and TOI-2158, we see a long-term trend in the radial velocities, indicating the presence of an outer companion in each of the two systems. For TOI-2025 we furthermore find the star to be well-aligned with the orbit, with a projected obliquity of $9^{+33}_{-31}$~$^\circ$. As these planets are all found in relatively bright systems (V$\sim$10.9-11.6 mag), they are well-suited for further studies, which could help shed light on the formation and migration of hot and warm Jupiters.

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arXiv2016

Detection of the Binarity of the Star J1158+4239

One of the goals of the Pulkovo program of research on stars with large proper motions is to reveal among the low-luminosity stars those that have evidence of binarity. Twelve astrometric binary candidates from the Pulkovo list have been included in the program of speckle observations with the BTA telescope at the Special Astrophysical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences (SAO RAS) and the 2.5-m telescope at the Caucasus Mountain Observatory (CMO) of the Sternberg Astronomical Institute of the Moscow State University to confirm their binarity and then to determine the parameters of the revealed stellar pairs. The binarity of the brightest of these stars, J1158+4239 (GJ 3697), has been confirmed. Four sessions of speckle observations with the BTA SAO RAS telescope and one session with the 2.5-m CMO telescope have been carried out in 2015 - 2016. The weighted mean estimates of the pair parameters are $ρ$=286.5$\pm$1.2 mas and $θ$=230.24$\pm$0.16$^{\circ}$ at the epoch B2015.88248. The magnitude difference between the pair stars is $Δm$=0.55$\pm$0.03 (a filter with a central wavelength of 800 nm and a FWHM of 100 nm) and $Δm$=0.9$\pm$0.1 (an R filter).

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arXiv2016

Luminous Red Nova 2015 in the Galaxy M101

We present the results of the study of the red nova PSN J14021678+5426205 based on the observations carried out with the Russian 6-m telescope (BTA) along with other telescopes of SAO RAS and SAI MSU. To investigate the nova progenitor, we used the data from the Digital Sky Survey and amateur photos available on the internet. In the period between April 1993 and July 2014, the brightness of the progenitor gradually increased by 2.2 mag in the V band. At the peak of the first outburst in mid-November of 2014, the star reached an absolute visual magnitude of -12.75 mag but was discovered later, in February 2015, in a repeated outburst at the absolute magnitude of -11.65 mag. The amplitude of the outburst was minimum among the red novae, only 5.6 mag in the V band. The H alpha emission line and the continuum of a cool supergiant with a gradually decreasing surface temperature were observed in the spectra. Such process is typical for red novae, although the object under study showed extreme parameters: maximum luminosity, maximum outburst duration, minimum outburst amplitude, unusual shape of the light curve. This event is interpreted as a massive OB star system components merging accompanied by the formation of a common envelope and then the expansion of this envelope with minimal energy losses.

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