arXiv subjects

Claudio Melo

Publications and source records attributed to Claudio Melo.

28 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2020

A pair of TESS planets spanning the radius valley around the nearby mid-M dwarf LTT 3780

We present the confirmation of two new planets transiting the nearby mid-M dwarf LTT 3780 (TIC 36724087, TOI-732, $V=13.07$, $K_s=8.204$, $R_s$=0.374 R$_{\odot}$, $M_s$=0.401 M$_{\odot}$, d=22 pc). The two planet candidates are identified in a single TESS sector and are validated with reconnaissance spectroscopy, ground-based photometric follow-up, and high-resolution imaging. With measured orbital periods of $P_b=0.77$ days, $P_c=12.25$ days and sizes $r_{p,b}=1.33\pm 0.07$ R$_{\oplus}$, $r_{p,c}=2.30\pm 0.16$ R$_{\oplus}$, the two planets span the radius valley in period-radius space around low mass stars thus making the system a laboratory to test competing theories of the emergence of the radius valley in that stellar mass regime. By combining 63 precise radial-velocity measurements from HARPS and HARPS-N, we measure planet masses of $m_{p,b}=2.62^{+0.48}_{-0.46}$ M$_{\oplus}$ and $m_{p,c}=8.6^{+1.6}_{-1.3}$ M$_{\oplus}$, which indicates that LTT 3780b has a bulk composition consistent with being Earth-like, while LTT 3780c likely hosts an extended H/He envelope. We show that the recovered planetary masses are consistent with predictions from both photoevaporation and from core-powered mass loss models. The brightness and small size of LTT 3780, along with the measured planetary parameters, render LTT 3780b and c as accessible targets for atmospheric characterization of planets within the same planetary system and spanning the radius valley.

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arXiv2018

The recalibration of the UVES-POP stellar spectral library

We have re-reduced all spectra from the UVES-POP stellar spectral library using the version 5.5.7 of the UVES pipeline and an algorithm we designed, which allows us to remove ripples in regions where echelle orders are stitched. These ripples are caused by the offset of a flat field with respect to a science frame and under- or oversubtraction of scattered light. We have also developed an approach to merge 6 UVES spectral chunks divided by gaps in the spectral coverage by using synthetic stellar atmospheres to predict the flux difference between the segments. At the end, we improved the flux calibration quality to 2% or better for 85% of 430 spectra in the library.

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arXiv2016

First determination of s-process element abundances in pre-main sequence clusters: Y, Zr, La, and Ce in IC 2391, the Argus association and IC 2602

Several high-resolution spectroscopic studies have provided compelling observational evidence that open clusters display a decreasing trend of their barium abundances as a function of the cluster's age. Young clusters (ages~200 Myr) exhibit significant enhancement in the [Ba/Fe] ratios, at variance with solar-age clusters where the Ba content has been found to be [Ba/Fe]~0 dex. Different viable solutions have been suggested in the literature, nevertheless, a conclusive interpretation of such a peculiar trend has not been found. Interestingly, it is debated whether the other species produced with Ba via s-process reactions do follow the same trend with age. Pre-main sequence clusters (~10-50 Myr) show the most extreme behaviour in this respect: their [Ba/Fe] ratios can reach 0.65 dex, which higher than the solar value by a factor of four. Crucially, there are no investigations of the other s-process species for these young stellar populations. In this paper we present, the first determination of Y, Zr, La, and Ce in clusters IC 2391, IC 2602 and the Argus association. The main objective of our work is to ascertain whether these elements reveal the same enhancement as Ba. Our results indicate that, at variance with Ba, all the other s-process species exhibit a solar scaled pattern: these clusters confirm a similar trend discovered in the slightly older local associations (e.g., AB Doradus, Carina Near), where only Ba exhibit enhanced value with all other s process species being solar. We have discussed several possible explanations such as e.g., chromospheric effects, departures from the LTE approximation, or the activation of a different nucleosynthesis chain. We cannot currently provide the definite answer to this question and future investigations from theoretical and observational perspectives are sorely needed.

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arXiv2016

Reflected light from giant planets in habitable zones: Tapping into the power of the Cross-Correlation Function

The direct detection of reflected light from exoplanets is an excellent probe for the characterization of their atmospheres. The greatest challenge for this task is the low planet-to-star flux ratio, which even in the most favourable case is of the order of $10^{-4}$ in the optical. This ratio decreases even more for planets in their host habitable zone, typically lower than $10^{-7}$. To reach the signal-to-noise level required for such detections, we propose to unleash the power of the Cross Correlation Function in combination with the collecting power of next generation observing facilities. The technique we propose has already yielded positive results by detecting the reflected spectral signature of 51 Pegasi b (see Martins et al. 2015). In this work, we attempted to infer the number of hours required for the detection of several planets in their host habitable zone using the aforementioned technique from theoretical EELT observations. Our results show that for 5 of the selected planets it should be possible to directly recover their reflected spectral signature.

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arXiv2016

Fundamental stellar parameters for selected T-Tauri stars in the Chamaeleon and Rho Ophiuchus star-forming regions

We present the results of an optical photometry and high-resolution spectroscopy campaign for a modest sample of X-ray selected stars in the Chamaeleon and Rho Ophiuchus star forming regions. With R~50000 optical spectra, we establish kinematic membership of the parent association and confirm stellar youth for each star in our sample. With the acquisition of new standardized BVIc photometry, in concert with near-infrared data from the literature, we derive age and mass from stellar positions in model-dependent Hertzsprung-Russell diagrams. We compare isochronal ages derived using colour-dependent extinction values finding that, within error bars, ages are the same irrespective of whether E(B-V), E(V-Ic), E(J-H) or E(H-K) is used to establish extinction, although model ages tend to be marginally younger for redder Ecolour values. For Cham I and Eta Cham members we derive ages of ~< 5-6 Myr, whereas our three Eta Cha candidates are more consistent with a ~> 25 Myr post-T Tauri star population. In Rho Ophiuchus, most stars in our sample have isochronal ages <10 Myr. Five objects show evidence of strong infrared excess (Av>5) in the 2MASS colour colour diagram, however in terms of Halpha emission, all stars except RXJ1625.6-2613 are consistent with being weak-lined T-Tauri stars. Spectral energy distributions (SEDs) over the range ~ 4000A < wavelength < 1000 microns, show that only one Chamaeleon star (RXJ1112.7-7637) and three Rho Ophiuchus stars (ROXR1 13, RXJ1625.6-2613 & RXJ1627.1-2419) reveal substantial departures from a bare photosphere.

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arXiv2013

Accurate Sky Continuum Subtraction with Fibre-fed Spectrographs

Fibre-fed spectrographs now have throughputs equivalent to slit spectrographs. However, the sky subtraction accuracy that can be reached has often been pinpointed as one of the major issues associated with the use of fibres. Using technical time observations with FLAMES-GIRAFFE, two observing techniques, namely dual staring and cross beam-switching, were tested and the resulting sky subtraction accuracy reached in both cases was quantified. Results indicate that an accuracy of 0.6% on sky subtraction can be reached, provided that the cross beam-switching mode is used. This is very encouraging with regard to the detection of very faint sources with future fibre-fed spectrographs, such as VLT/MOONS or E-ELT/MOSAIC.

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arXiv2007

The `666' collaboration on OGLE transits: I. Accurate radius of the planets OGLE-TR-10b and OGLE-TR-56b with VLT deconvolution photometry

Transiting planets are essential to study the structure and evolution of extra-solar planets. For that purpose, it is important to measure precisely the radius of these planets. Here we report new high-accuracy photometry of the transits of OGLE-TR-10 and OGLE-TR-56 with VLT/FORS1. One transit of each object was covered in Bessel V and R filters, and treated with the deconvolution-based photometry algorithm DECPHOT, to ensure accurate millimagnitude light curves. Together with earlier spectroscopic measurements, the data imply a radius of 1.22 +0.12-0.07 R_J for OGLE-TR-10b and 1.30 +- 0.05 R_J for OGLE-TR-56b. A re-analysis of the original OGLE photometry resolves an earlier discrepancy about the radius of OGLE-TR-10. The transit of OGLE-TR-56 is almost grazing, so that small systematics in the photometry can cause large changes in the derived radius. Our study confirms both planets as inflated hot Jupiters, with large radii comparable to that of HD 209458$b$ and at least two other recently discovered transiting gas giants.

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arXiv2006

A correlation between the heavy element content of transiting extrasolar planets and the metallicity of their parent stars

Nine extrasolar planets with masses between 110 and 430M are known to transit their star. The knowledge of their masses and radii allows an estimate of their composition, but uncertainties on equations of state, opacities and possible missing energy sources imply that only inaccurate constraints can be derived when considering each planet separately. Aims: We seek to better understand the composition of transiting extrasolar planets by considering them as an ensemble, and by comparing the obtained planetary properties to that of the parent stars. Methods: We use evolution models and constraints on the stellar ages to derive the mass of heavy elements present in the planets. Possible additional energy sources like tidal dissipation due to an inclined orbit or to downward kinetic energy transport are considered. Results: We show that the nine transiting planets discovered so far belong to a quite homogeneous ensemble that is characterized by a mass of heavy elements that is a relatively steep function of the stellar metallicity, from less than 20 earth masses of heavy elements around solar composition stars, to up to 100M for three times the solar metallicity (the precise values being model-dependant). The correlation is still to be ascertained however. Statistical tests imply a worst-case 1/3 probability of a false positive. Conclusions: Together with the observed lack of giant planets in close orbits around metal-poor stars, these results appear to imply that heavy elements play a key role in the formation of close-in giant planets. The large masses of heavy elements inferred for planets orbiting metal rich stars was not anticipated by planet formation models and shows the need for alternative theories including migration and subsequent collection of planetesimals.

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arXiv2005

Fundamental properties of pre-main sequence stars in young, southern star forming regions: metallicities

Aims: The primary motivation for this project is to search for metal-rich star forming regions, in which, stars of super-solar metallicity will be created, as hopefully, will be extra-solar planets orbiting them ! Results: We find (pre-main sequence) model-dependent isochronal ages of the Lupus, Chamaeleon and CrA targets to be $9.1 \pm 2.1$ Myr, $4.5 \pm 1.6$ Myr and $9.0 \pm 3.9$ Myr respectively. The majority of the stars have Li I 6707.8A equivalent widths similar to, or above those of, their similar mass Pleiades counterparts, confirming their youthfulness. Most stars are kinematic members, either single or binary, of their regions. We find a mean radial velocity for objects in the Lupus cloud to be ${\bar {RV}}=+2.6 \pm 1.8$ km s$^{-1}$, for the Chamaeleon I & II clouds, ${\bar {RV}}=+12.8 \pm 3.6$ km s$^{-1}$ whereas for the CrA cloud, we find ${\bar {RV}}=-1.1 \pm 0.5$ km s$^{-1}$. All stars are coronally and chromospherically active, exhibiting X-ray and H$α$ emission levels marginally less, approximately equal or superior to that of their older IC 2602/2391 and/or Pleiades counterparts. All bar three of the targets show little or no signature of accretion from a circumstellar environment, according to their positions in a J$-$K/H$-$K$^{'}$ diagram. We have performed a metallicity analysis for 5 stars in Chamaeleon, 4 stars in Lupus and 3 stars in the CrA star forming regions. These results show that all three regions are slightly metal-poor, with marginally sub-solar metallicities, with $<$[Fe/H]$> = -0.11 \pm 0.14$, $-0.10 \pm 0.04$ & $-0.04 \pm 0.05$ respectively.

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arXiv2004

The "missing link": a 4-day period transiting exoplanet around OGLE-TR-111

We report the discovery of a transiting hot Jupiter around OGLE-TR-111, from our radial velocity follow-up of OGLE transiting candidates in Carina. The planet has a mass of 0.53 +- 0.11 M_J and a radius of 1.0 +0.13-0.06 R_J. Three transiting exoplanets have already been found among OGLE candidates, all with periods near 1.5 days. The planet presented here, with P=4.0 days, is the first exoplanet detected by transits with the characteristics of a "normal" hot Jupiter, as found in abundance by radial velocity surveys The radius of OGLE-TR-111b and the scarcity of hot Jupiters detected among OGLE transit candidates tend to indicate that the case of HD209458b, with a radius of 1.4 R_J, is exceptional, with most hot Jupiters being smaller.

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