arXiv subjects

Dafydd Wyn Evans

Publications and source records attributed to Dafydd Wyn Evans.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2022

Gaia-TESS synergy: Improving the identification of transit candidates

Context: The TESS team periodically issues a new list of transiting exoplanet candidates based on the analysis of the accumulating light curves obtained by the satellite. The list includes the estimated epochs, periods, and durations of the potential transits. As the point spread function (PSF) of TESS is relatively wide, follow-up photometric observations at higher spatial resolution are required in order to exclude apparent transits that are actually blended background eclipsing binaries (BEBs). Aims: The Gaia space mission, with its growing database of epoch photometry and high angular resolution, enables the production of distinct light curves for all sources included in the TESS PSF, up to the limiting magnitude of Gaia. This paper reports the results of an ongoing Gaia-TESS collaboration that uses the Gaia photometry to facilitate the identification of BEB candidates and even to confirm on-target candidates in some cases. Methods: We inspected the Gaia photometry of the individual sources included in the TESS PSF, searching for periodic dimming events compatible with their ephemerides and uncertainties, as published by TESS. The performance of the search depends mainly on the number of Gaia measurements during transit and their precision. Results: Since February 2021, the collaboration has been able to confirm 126 on-target candidates and exclude 124 as BEBs. Since June 2021, when our search methodology matured, we have been able to identify on the order of 5% as on-target candidates and another 5% as BEBs. Conclusions: This synergistic approach is combining the complementary capabilities of two of the astronomical space missions of NASA and ESA. It serves to optimize the process of detecting new planets by making better use of the resources of the astronomical community.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2022

The Detection of Transiting Exoplanets by Gaia

Context: The space telescope Gaia is dedicated mainly to performing high-precision astrometry, but also spectroscopy and epoch photometry which can be used to study various types of photometric variability. One such variability type is exoplanetary transits. The photometric data accumulated so far have finally matured enough to allow the detection of some exoplanets. Aims: In order to fully exploit the scientific potential of Gaia, we search its photometric data for the signatures of exoplanetary transits. Methods: The search relies on a version of the Box-Least-Square (BLS) method, applied to a set of stars prioritized by machine-learning classification methods. An independent photometric validation was obtained using the public full-frame images of TESS. In order to validate the first two candidates, radial-velocity follow-up observations were performed using the spectrograph PEPSI of the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT). Results: The radial-velocity measurements confirm that two of the candidates are indeed hot Jupiters. Thus, they are the first exoplanets detected by Gaia - Gaia-1b and Gaia-2b. Conclusions: Gaia-1b and Gaia-2b demonstrate that the approach presented in this paper is indeed effective. This approach will be used to assemble a set of additional exoplanet candidates, to be released in Gaia third data release, ensuring better fulfillment of the exoplanet detection potential of Gaia.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2017

Theia: Faint objects in motion or the new astrometry frontier

In the context of the ESA M5 (medium mission) call we proposed a new satellite mission, Theia, based on relative astrometry and extreme precision to study the motion of very faint objects in the Universe. Theia is primarily designed to study the local dark matter properties, the existence of Earth-like exoplanets in our nearest star systems and the physics of compact objects. Furthermore, about 15 $\%$ of the mission time was dedicated to an open observatory for the wider community to propose complementary science cases. With its unique metrology system and "point and stare" strategy, Theia's precision would have reached the sub micro-arcsecond level. This is about 1000 times better than ESA/Gaia's accuracy for the brightest objects and represents a factor 10-30 improvement for the faintest stars (depending on the exact observational program). In the version submitted to ESA, we proposed an optical (350-1000nm) on-axis TMA telescope. Due to ESA Technology readiness level, the camera's focal plane would have been made of CCD detectors but we anticipated an upgrade with CMOS detectors. Photometric measurements would have been performed during slew time and stabilisation phases needed for reaching the required astrometric precision.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2016

Clouds, Streams and Bridges. Redrawing the blueprint of the Magellanic System with Gaia DR1

We present the discovery of stellar tidal tails around the Large and the Small Magellanic Clouds in the Gaia DR1 data. In between the Clouds, their tidal arms are stretched towards each other to form an almost continuous stellar bridge. Our analysis relies on the exquisite quality of the Gaia's photometric catalogue to build detailed star-count maps of the Clouds. We demonstrate that the Gaia DR1 data can be used to detect variable stars across the whole sky, and in particular, RR Lyrae stars in and around the LMC and the SMC. Additionally, we use a combination of Gaia and Gale to follow the distribution of Young Main Sequence stars in the Magellanic System. Viewed by Gaia, the Clouds show unmistakable signs of interaction. Around the LMC, clumps of RR Lyrae are observable as far as ~20 degrees, in agreement with the most recent map of Mira-like stars reported in Deason et al (2016). The SMC's outer stellar density contours show a characteristic S-shape, symptomatic of the on-set of tidal stripping. Beyond several degrees from the center of the dwarf, the Gaia RR Lyrae stars trace the Cloud's trailing arm, extending towards the LMC. This stellar tidal tail mapped with RR Lyrae is not aligned with the gaseous Magellanic Bridge, and is shifted by some ~5 degrees from the Young Main Sequence bridge. We use the offset between the bridges to put constraints on the density of the hot gaseous corona of the Milky Way.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2015

The variability processing and analysis of the Gaia mission

We present the variability processing and analysis that is foreseen for the Gaia mission within Coordination Unit 7 (CU7) of the Gaia Data Processing and Analysis Consortium (DPAC). A top level description of the tasks is given.

astro-ph.IM↗