arXiv subjects

J. Hagelberg

Publications and source records attributed to J. Hagelberg.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2020

Spectral and atmospheric characterisation of a new benchmark brown dwarf HD13724B

Context. HD13724 is a nearby solar-type star at 43.48 $\pm$ 0.06 pc hosting a long-period low-mass brown dwarf detected with the CORALIE echelle spectrograph as part of the historical CORALIE radial-velocity search for extra-solar planets. The companion has a minimum mass of $26.77^{+4.4}_{-2.2} M_{\mathrm{Jup}}$ and an expected semi-major axis of $\sim$ 240 mas making it a suitable target for further characterisation with high-contrast imaging, in particular to measure its inclination, mass, and spectrum and thus establish its substellar nature. Aims. Using high-contrast imaging with the SPHERE instrument on the Very Large Telescope (VLT), we are able to directly image a brown dwarf companion to HD13724 and obtain a low-resolution spectrum. Methods. We combine the radial-velocity measurements of CORALIE and HARPS taken over two decades and high contrast imaging from SPHERE to obtain a dynamical mass estimate. From the SPHERE data we obtain a low resolution spectrum of the companion from Y to J band, as well as photometric measurements from IRDIS in the J, H and K bands. Results. Using high-contrast imaging with the SPHERE instrument at the VLT, we report the first images of a brown dwarf companion to the host star HD13724. It has an angular separation of 175.6 $\pm$ 4.5 mas and H-band contrast of $10.61\pm0.16$ mag and, using the age estimate of the star to be $\sim$1 Gyr, gives an isochronal mass estimate of $\sim$44 $M_{\mathrm{Jup}}$. By combining radial-velocity and imaging data we also obtain a dynamical mass of $50.5^{+3.3}_{-3.5} M_{\mathrm{Jup}}$. Through fitting an atmospheric model, we estimate a surface gravity of $\log g = 5.5$ and an effective temperature of 1000K. A comparison of its spectrum with observed T dwarfs estimates a spectral type of T4 or T4.5, with a T4 object providing the best fit.

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arXiv2019

A dusty benchmark brown dwarf near the ice line of HD 72946

Context. HD72946 is a bright and nearby solar-type star hosting a low-mass companion at long period (P~16 yr) detected with the radial velocities (RV) method. The companion has a minimum mass of 60.4+/-2.2 MJ and might be a brown dwarf. Its expected semi-major axis of ~243 mas makes it a suitable target for further characterization with high-contrast imaging, in particular to measure its inclination, mass, and spectrum and thus definitely establish its substellar nature. Aims. We aim to further characterize the orbit, atmosphere, and physical nature of HD72946B. Methods. We present high-contrast imaging data in the near-infrared with the Spectro-Polarimetric High-contrast Exoplanet REsearch (SPHERE) instrument. We also use proper motion measurements of the star from Hipparcos and Gaia. Results. The SPHERE data reveal a point source with a contrast of ~9 mag at a projected separation of ~235 mas. No other point sources are detected in the field of view. By jointly fitting the RV, imaging, and proper motion data, we constrain all the orbital parameters of HD72946B and assess a dynamical mass of 72.4+/-1.6 MJ and a semi-major axis of 6.45$^{+0.08}_{-0.07}$ au. Empirical comparison of its IFS spectrum to template dwarfs indicates a spectral type of L5.0+/-1.5. The J-H3 color is close to the expectations of the DUSTY models and suggests a cloudy atmosphere. Comparison with atmospheric models of the spectrophotometry suggests an effective temperature of ~1700 K. The bolometric luminosity (log(L/LS)=-4.11+/-0.10 dex) and dynamical mass of HD72946B are more compatible with evolutionary models for an age range of ~0.9-3 Gyr. The formation mechanism of the companion is currently unclear as it appears slightly away from the bulk of model predictions. HD72946B is currently the closest benchmark brown dwarf companion to a solar-type star with imaging, RV, and proper motion measurements.

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arXiv2019

VLT/SPHERE exploration of the young multiplanetary system PDS70

Context. PDS 70 is a young (5.4 Myr), nearby (~113 pc) star hosting a known transition disk with a large gap. Recent observations with SPHERE and NACO in the near-infrared (NIR) allowed us to detect a planetary mass companion, PDS70b, within the disk cavity. Moreover, observations in H_alpha with MagAO and MUSE revealed emission associated to PDS70b and to another new companion candidate, PDS70c, at a larger separation from the star. Aims. Our aim is to confirm the discovery of the second planet PDS70c using SPHERE at VLT, to further characterize its physical properties, and search for additional point sources in this young planetary system. Methods. We re-analyzed archival SPHERE NIR observations and obtained new data in Y, J, H and K spectral bands for a total of four different epochs. The data were reduced using the data reduction and handling pipeline and the SPHERE data center. We then applied custom routines (e.g. ANDROMEDA and PACO) to subtract the starlight. Results. We re-detect both PDS 70 b and c and confirm that PDS70c is gravitationally bound to the star. We estimate this second planet to be less massive than 5 M Jup and with a T_eff around 900 K. Also, it has a low gravity with log g between 3.0 and 3.5 dex. In addition, a third object has been identified at short separation (~0.12") from the star and gravitationally bound to the star. Its spectrum is however very blue, so that we are probably seeing stellar light reflected by dust and our analysis seems to demonstrate that it is a feature of the inner disk. We, however, cannot completely exclude the possibility that it is a planetary mass object enshrouded by a dust envelope. In this latter case, its mass should be of the order of few tens of M_Earth. Moreover, we propose a possible structure for the planetary system based on our data that, however, cannot be stable on a long timescale.

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arXiv2019

The detection and characterisation of 54 massive companions with the SOPHIE spectrograph -- 7 new brown dwarfs and constraints on the BD desert

Brown-dwarfs are substellar objects with masses intermediate between planets and stars within about 13-80Mjup. While isolated BDs are most likely produced by gravitational collapse in molecular clouds down to masses of a few Mjup, a non-negligible fraction of low-mass companions might be formed through the planet formation channel in protoplanetary disks. The upper mass limit of objects formed within disks is still observationally unknown, the main reason being the strong dearth of BD companions at orbital periods shorter than 10 years, a.k.a. the BD desert. To address this question, we aim at determining the best statistics of secondary companions within the 10-100Mjup range and within 10 au from the primary star, while minimising observational bias. We made an extensive use of the RV surveys of FGK stars below 60pc distance to the Sun and in the northern hemisphere performed with the SOPHIE spectrograph at the Observatoire de Haute-Provence. We derived the Keplerian solutions of the RV variations of 54 sources. Public astrometric data of the Hipparcos and Gaia missions allowed constraining the mass of the companion for most sources. We introduce GASTON, a new method to derive inclination combining RVs Keplerian and astrometric excess noise from Gaia DR1. We report the discovery of 12 new BD candidates. For 5 of them, additional astrometric data led to revise their mass in the M-dwarf regime. Among the 7 remaining objects, 4 are confirmed BD companions, and 3 others are likely in this mass regime. We also report the detection of 42 M-dwarfs within 90Mjup-0.52Msun. The resulting Msin(i)-P distribution of BD candidates shows a clear drop in the detection rate below 80-day orbital period. Above that limit, the BD desert reveals rather wet, with a uniform distribution of the Msin(i). We derive a minimum BD-detection frequency around Solar-like stars of 2.0+/-0.5%.

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arXiv2019

Constraining the properties of HD 206893 B. A combination of radial velocity, direct imaging, and astrometry data

High contrast imaging enables the determination of orbital parameters for substellar companions (planets, brown dwarfs) from the observed relative astrometry and the estimation of model and age-dependent masses from their observed magnitudes or spectra. Combining astrometric positions with radial velocity gives direct constraints on the orbit and on the dynamical masses of companions. A brown dwarf was discovered with the VLT/SPHERE instrument in 2017, which orbits at $\sim$ 11 au around HD 206893. Its mass was estimated between 12 and 50 $M_{Jup}$ from evolutionary models and its photometry. However, given the significant uncertainty on the age of the system and the peculiar spectrophotometric properties of the companion, this mass is not well constrained. We aim at constraining the orbit and dynamical mass of HD 206893 B. We combined radial velocity data obtained with HARPS spectra and astrometric data obtained with the high contrast imaging VLT/SPHERE and VLT/NaCo instruments, with a time baseline less than three years. We then combined those data with astrometry data obtained by Hipparcos and Gaia with a time baseline of 24 years. We used a MCMC approach to estimate the orbital parameters and dynamical mass of the brown dwarf from those data. We infer a period between 21 and 33° and an inclination in the range 20-41° from pole-on from HD 206893 B relative astrometry. The RV data show a significant RV drift over 1.6 yrs. We show that HD 206893 B cannot be the source of this observed RV drift as it would lead to a dynamical mass inconsistent with its photometry and spectra and with Hipparcos and Gaia data. An additional inner (semimajor axis in the range 1.4-2.6 au) and massive ($\sim$ 15 $M_{Jup}$) companion is needed to explain the RV drift, which is compatible with the available astrometric data of the star, as well as with the VLT/SPHERE and VLT/NaCo nondetection.

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arXiv2019

The SPHERE view of the jet and the envelope of RY Tau

Jets are rarely associated with pre-main-sequence intermediate-mass stars. Optical and near-IR observations of jet-driving sources are often hindered by the presence of a natal envelope. Jets around partly embedded sources are a useful diagnostic to constrain the geometry of the concealed protoplanetary disk. In fact, the jet-driving mechanisms are affected by both spatial anisotropies and episodic variations at the (sub-)au scale from the star. We obtained a rich set of high-contrast VLT/SPHERE observations from 0.6 micron to 2.2 micron of the young intermediate-mass star RY Tau. Given the proximity to the Sun of this source, our images have the highest spatial resolution ever obtained for an atomic jet. Optical observations in polarized light show no sign of the protoplanetary disk detected by ALMA. Instead, we observed a diffuse signal resembling a remnant envelope with an outflow cavity. The jet is detected in four spectral lines. The jet appears to be wiggling and its radial width increasing with the distance is complementary to the shape of the outflow cavity suggesting a strong jet/envelope interaction. Through the estimated tangential velocity, we revealed a possible connection between the launching time of the jet sub-structures and the stellar activity of RY Tau. RY Tau is at an intermediate stage toward the dispersal of the natal envelope. This source shows episodic increases of mass accretion/ejection similarly to other known intermediate-mass stars. The amount of observed jet wiggle is consistent with the presence of a precessing disk warp or misaligned inner disk that would be induced by an unseen planetary/sub-stellar companion at sub-/few-au scales. The high disk mass of RY Tau and of two other jet-driving intermediate-mass stars, HD163296 and MWC480, suggests that massive, full disks are more efficient at launching prominent jets.

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arXiv2019

Determining mass limits around HD163296 through SPHERE direct imaging data

HD163296 is a Herbig Ae/Be star known to host a protoplanetary disk with a ringed structure. To explain the disk features, previous works proposed the presence of planets embedded into the disk. We have observed HD163296 with the near-infrared (NIR) branch of SPHERE composed by IRDIS and IFS with the aim to put tight constraints on the presence of substellar companions around this star. Despite the low rotation of the field of view during our observation we were able to put upper mass limits of few M_Jup around this object. These limits do not allow to give any definitive conclusion about the planets proposed through the disk characteristics. On the other hand, our results seem to exclude the presence of the only candidate proposed until now using direct imaging in the NIR even if some caution has to be taken considered the different wavelength bands of the two observations.

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arXiv2019

Two cold belts in the debris disk around the G-type star NZ Lup

Planetary systems hold the imprint of the formation and of the evolution of planets especially at young ages, and in particular at the stage when the gas has dissipated leaving mostly secondary dust grains. The dynamical perturbation of planets in the dust distribution can be revealed with high-contrast imaging in a variety of structures. SPHERE, the high-contrast imaging device installed at the VLT, was designed to search for young giant planets in long period, but is also able to resolve fine details of planetary systems at the scale of astronomical units in the scattered-light regime. As a young and nearby star, NZ Lup was observed in the course of the SPHERE survey. A debris disk had been formerly identified with HST/NICMOS. We observed this system in the near-infrared with the camera in narrow and broad band filters and with the integral field spectrograph. High contrasts are achieved by the mean of pupil tracking combined with angular differential imaging algorithms. The high angular resolution provided by SPHERE allows us to reveal a new feature in the disk which is interpreted as a superimposition of two belts of planetesimals located at stellocentric distances of $\sim$85 and $\sim$115\,au, and with a mutual inclination of about 5$\degb$. Despite the very high inclination of the disk with respect to the line of sight, we conclude that the presence of a gap, that is, a void in the dust distribution between the belts, is likely. We discuss the implication of the existence of two belts and their relative inclination with respect to the presence of planets.

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arXiv2019

Hint of curvature in the orbital motion of the exoplanet 51 Eridani b using 3 years of VLT/SPHERE monitoring

Context. The 51 Eridani system harbors a complex architecture with its primary star forming a hierarchical system with the binary GJ 3305AB at a projected separation of 2000 au, a giant planet orbiting the primary star at 13 au, and a low-mass debris disk around the primary star with possibly a cold component and a warm component inferred from the spectral energy distribution. Aims. We aim to better constrain the orbital parameters of the known giant planet. Methods. We monitored the system over three years from 2015 to 2018 with the VLT/SPHERE exoplanet imaging instrument. Results. We measure an orbital motion for the planet of ~130 mas with a slightly decreasing separation (~10 mas) and find a hint of curvature. This potential curvature is further supported at 3$σ$ significance when including literature GPI astrometry corrected for calibration systematics. Fits of the SPHERE and GPI data using three complementary approaches provide broadly similar results. The data suggest an orbital period of 32$^{+17}_{-9}$ yr (i.e. 12$^{+4}_{-2}$ au in semi-major axis), an inclination of 133$^{+14}_{-7}$ deg, an eccentricity of 0.45$^{+0.10}_{-0.15}$, and an argument of periastron passage of 87$^{+34}_{-30}$ deg [mod 180 deg]. The time at periastron passage and the longitude of node exhibit bimodal distributions because we do not detect yet if the planet is accelerating or decelerating along its orbit. Given the inclinations of the planet's orbit and of the stellar rotation axis (134-144 deg), we infer alignment or misalignment within 18 deg for the star-planet spin-orbit. Further astrometric monitoring in the next 3-4 years is required to confirm at a higher significance the curvature in the planet's motion, determine if the planet is accelerating or decelerating on its orbit, and further constrain its orbital parameters and the star-planet spin-orbit.

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arXiv2019

A search for accreting young companions embedded in circumstellar disks: High-contrast H$α$ imaging with VLT/SPHERE

Aims: We want to detect and quantify observables related to accretion processes occurring locally in circumstellar disks, which could be attributed to young forming planets. We focus on objects known to host protoplanet candidates and/or disk structures thought to be the result of interactions with planets. Methods: We analyzed observations of 6 young stars (age $3.5-10$ Myr) and their surrounding environments with the SPHERE/ZIMPOL instrument on the VLT in the H$α$ filter (656 nm) and a nearby continuum filter (644.9 nm). Results: We re-detect the known accreting M-star companion HD142527 B with the highest published signal to noise to date in both H$α$ and the continuum. We derive new astrometry ($r = 62.8^{+2.1}_{-2.7}$ mas and $\text{PA} = (98.7\,\pm1.8)^\circ$) and photometry ($Δ$N_Ha=$6.3^{+0.2}_{-0.3}$ mag, $Δ$B_Ha=$6.7\pm0.2$ mag and $Δ$Cnt_Ha=$7.3^{+0.3}_{-0.2}$ mag) for the companion in agreement with previous studies, and estimate its mass accretion rate ($\dot{M}\approx1-2\,\times10^{-10}\,M_\odot\text{ yr}^{-1}$). A faint point-like source around HD135344 B (SAO206462) is also investigated, but a second deeper observation is required to reveal its nature. No other companions are detected. In the framework of our assumptions we estimate detection limits at the locations of companion candidates around HD100546, HD169142 and MWC758 and calculate that processes involving H$α$ fluxes larger than $\sim8\times10^{-14}-10^{-15}\,\text{erg/s/cm}^2$ ($\dot{M}>10^{-10}-10^{-12}\,M_\odot\text{ yr}^{-1}$) can be excluded. Furthermore, flux upper limits of $\sim10^{-14}-10^{-15}\,\text{erg/s/cm}^2$ ($\dot{M}<10^{-11}-10^{-12}\,M_\odot \text{ yr}^{-1}$) are estimated within the gaps identified in the disks surrounding HD135344B and TW Hya.

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arXiv2018

SPHERE dynamical and spectroscopic characterization of HD142527B

We detect the accreting low-mass companion HD142527B at a separation of 73 mas (11.4 au) from the star. No other companions with mass greater than 10 MJ are visible in the field of view of IFS (\sim 100 au centered on the star) or in the IRDIS field of view (\sim 400 au centered on the star). Measurements from IFS, SAM IFS, and IRDIS suggest an M6 spectral type for HD142527B, with an uncertainty of one spectral subtype, compatible with an object of M=0.11 \pm 0.06 MSun and R=0.15 \pm 0.07 RSun. The determination of the mass remains a challenge using contemporary evolutionary models, as they do not account for the energy input due to accretion from infalling material. We consider that the spectral type of the secondary may also be earlier than the type we derived from IFS spectra. From dynamical considerations, we further constrain the mass to 0.26^{+0.16}_{-0.14} MSun , which is consistent with both our spectroscopic analysis and the values reported in the literature. Following previous methods, the lower and upper dynamical mass values correspond to a spectral type between M2.5 and M5.5 for the companion. By fitting the astrometric points, we find the following orbital parameters: a period of P=35-137 yr; an inclination of i=121-130 deg.; , a value of Omega=124-135 deg for the longitude of node, and an 68% confidence interval of \sim 18 - 57 au for the separation at periapsis. Eccentricity and time at periapsis passage exhibit two groups of values: \sim0.2-0.45 and \sim0.45-0.7 for e, and \sim 2015-2020 and \sim2020-2022 for T_0. While these orbital parameters might at first suggest that HD142527B is not the companion responsible for the outer disk truncation, a previous hydrodynamical analysis of this system showed that they are compatible with a companion that is able to produce the large cavity and other observed features.

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arXiv2018

Post conjunction detection of $β$ Pictoris b with VLT/SPHERE

With an orbital distance comparable to that of Saturn in the solar system, \bpic b is the closest (semi-major axis $\simeq$\,9\,au) exoplanet that has been imaged to orbit a star. Thus it offers unique opportunities for detailed studies of its orbital, physical, and atmospheric properties, and of disk-planet interactions. With the exception of the discovery observations in 2003 with NaCo at the Very Large Telescope (VLT), all following astrometric measurements relative to \bpic have been obtained in the southwestern part of the orbit, which severely limits the determination of the planet's orbital parameters. We aimed at further constraining \bpic b orbital properties using more data, and, in particular, data taken in the northeastern part of the orbit. We used SPHERE at the VLT to precisely monitor the orbital motion of beta \bpic b since first light of the instrument in 2014. We were able to monitor the planet until November 2016, when its angular separation became too small (125 mas, i.e., 1.6\,au) and prevented further detection. We redetected \bpic b on the northeast side of the disk at a separation of 139\,mas and a PA of 30$^{\circ}$ in September 2018. The planetary orbit is now well constrained. With a semi-major axis (sma) of $a = 9.0 \pm 0.5$ au (1 $σ$), it definitely excludes previously reported possible long orbital periods, and excludes \bpic b as the origin of photometric variations that took place in 1981. We also refine the eccentricity and inclination of the planet. From an instrumental point of view, these data demonstrate that it is possible to detect, if they exist, young massive Jupiters that orbit at less than 2 au from a star that is 20 pc away.

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arXiv2018

Mapping of shadows cast on a protoplanetary disk by a close binary system

For a comprehensive understanding of planetary formation and evolution, we need to investigate the environment in which planets form: circumstellar disks. Here we present high-contrast imaging observations of V4046 Sagittarii, a 20-Myr-old close binary known to host a circumbinary disk. We have discovered the presence of rotating shadows in the disk, caused by mutual occultations of the central binary. Shadow-like features are often observed in disks\cite{garufi,marino15}, but those found thus far have not been due to eclipsing phenomena. We have used the phase difference due to light travel time to measure the flaring of the disk and the geometrical distance of the system. We calculate a distance that is in very good agreement with the value obtained from the Gaia mission's Data Release 2 (DR2), and flaring angles of $α= 6.2 \pm 0.6 $ deg and $α= 8.5 \pm 1.0 $ deg for the inner and outer disk rings, respectively. Our technique opens up a path to explore other binary systems, providing an independent estimate of distance and the flaring angle, a crucial parameter for disk modelling.

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arXiv2018

High-Contrast study of the candidate planets and protoplanetary disk around HD~100546

The nearby Herbig Be star HD100546 is known to be a laboratory for the study of protoplanets and their relation with the circumstellar disk that is carved by at least 2 gaps. We observed the HD100546 environment with high contrast imaging exploiting several different observing modes of SPHERE, including datasets with/without coronagraphs, dual band imaging, integral field spectroscopy and polarimetry. The picture emerging from these different data sets is complex. Flux-conservative algorithms images clearly show the disk up to 200au. More aggressive algorithms reveal several rings and warped arms overlapping the main disk. The bright parts of this ring lie at considerable height over the disk mid-plane at about 30au. Our images demonstrate that the brightest wings close to the star in the near side of the disk are a unique structure, corresponding to the outer edge of the intermediate disk at ~40au. Modeling of the scattered light from the disk with a geometrical algorithm reveals that a moderately thin structure can well reproduce the light distribution in the flux-conservative images. We suggest that the gap between 44 and 113 au span between the 1:2 and 3:2 resonance orbits of a massive body located at ~70au that might coincide with the candidate planet HD100546b detected with previous thermal IR observations. In this picture, the two wings can be the near side of a ring formed by disk material brought out of the disk at the 1:2 resonance with the same massive object. While we find no clear evidence confirming detection of the planet candidate HD100546c in our data, we find a diffuse emission close to the expected position of HD100546b. This source can be described as an extremely reddened substellar object surrounded by a dust cloud or its circumplanetary disk. Its astrometry is broadly consistent with a circular orbital motion on the disk plane.

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arXiv2018

VLT/SPHERE astrometric confirmation and orbital analysis of the brown dwarf companion HR 2562 B

Context. A low-mass brown dwarf has been recently imaged around HR 2562 (HD 50571), a star hosting a debris disk resolved in the far infrared. Interestingly, the companion location is compatible with an orbit coplanar with the disk and interior to the debris belt. This feature makes the system a valuable laboratory to analyze the formation of substellar companions in a circumstellar disk and potential disk-companion dynamical interactions. Aims. We aim to further characterize the orbital motion of HR 2562 B and its interactions with the host star debris disk. Methods. We performed a monitoring of the system over ~10 months in 2016 and 2017 with the VLT/SPHERE exoplanet imager. Results. We confirm that the companion is comoving with the star and detect for the first time an orbital motion at high significance, with a current orbital motion projected in the plane of the sky of 25 mas (~0.85 au) per year. No orbital curvature is seen in the measurements. An orbital fit of the SPHERE and literature astrometry of the companion without priors on the orbital plane clearly indicates that its orbit is (quasi-)coplanar with the disk. To further constrain the other orbital parameters, we used empirical laws for a companion chaotic zone validated by N-body simulations to test the orbital solutions that are compatible with the estimated disk cavity size. Non-zero eccentricities (>0.15) are allowed for orbital periods shorter than 100 yr, while only moderate eccentricities up to ~0.3 for orbital periods longer than 200 yr are compatible with the disk observations. A comparison of synthetic Herschel images to the real data does not allow us to constrain the upper eccentricity of the companion.

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arXiv2018

Discovery of a planetary-mass companion within the gap of the transition disk around PDS 70

Young circumstellar disks are of prime interest to understand the physical and chemical conditions under which planet formation takes place. Only very few detections of planet candidates within these disks exist, and most of them are currently suspected to be disk features. In this context, the transition disk around the young star PDS 70 is of particular interest, due to its large gap identified in previous observations, indicative of ongoing planet formation. We aim to search for the presence of planets and search for disk structures indicative for disk-planet interactions and other evolutionary processes. We analyse new and archival near-infrared (NIR) images of the transition disk PDS 70 obtained with the VLT/SPHERE, VLT/NaCo and Gemini/NICI instruments in polarimetric differential imaging (PDI) and angular differential imaging (ADI) modes. We detect a point source within the gap of the disk at about 195 mas (about 22 au) projected separation. The detection is confirmed at five different epochs, in three filter bands and using different instruments. The astrometry results in an object of bound nature, with high significance. The comparison of the measured magnitudes and colours to evolutionary tracks suggests that the detection is a companion of planetary mass. We confirm the detection of a large gap of about 54 au in size within the disk in our scattered light images, and detect a signal from an inner disk component. We find that its spatial extent is very likely smaller than about 17 au in radius. The images of the outer disk show evidence of a complex azimuthal brightness distribution which may in part be explained by Rayleigh scattering from very small grains. Future observations of this system at different wavelengths and continuing astrometry will allow us to test theoretical predictions regarding planet-disk interactions, planetary atmospheres and evolutionary models.

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arXiv2018

The GJ 504 system revisited. Combining interferometric, radial velocity, and high contrast imaging data

The G-type star GJ504A is known to host a 3 to 35 MJup companion whose temperature, mass, and projected separation all contribute to make it a test case for the planet formation theories and for atmospheric models of giant planets and light brown dwarfs. We collected data from the CHARA interferometer, SOPHIE spectrograph, and VLT/SPHERE high contrast imager to revisit the properties of the system. We measure a radius of 1.35+/- 0.04Rsun for GJ504A which yields isochronal ages of 21+/-2Myr or 4.0+/-1.8Gyr for the system and line-of-sight stellar rotation axis inclination of $162.4_{-4.3}^{+3.8}$ degrees or $18.6_{-3.8}^{+4.3}$ degrees. We re-detect the companion in the Y2, Y3, J3, H2, and K1 dual band SPHERE images. The complete 1-4 $μ$m SED shape of GJ504b is best reproduced by T8-T9.5 objects with intermediate ages ($\leq1.5$Gyr), and/or unusual dusty atmospheres and/or super-solar metallicities. All six atmospheric models used yield $\mathrm{T_{eff}=550 \pm 50}$K for GJ504b and point toward a low surface gravity (3.5-4.0 dex). The accuracy on the metallicity value is limited by model-to-model systematics. It is not degenerate with the C/O ratio. We derive $\mathrm{log\:L/L_{\odot}=-6.15\pm0.15}$ dex for the companion compatible with masses of $\mathrm{M=1.3^{+0.6}_{-0.3}M_{Jup}}$ and $\mathrm{M=23^{+10}_{-9} M_{Jup}}$ for the young and old age ranges, respectively. The semi-major axis (sma) is above 27.8 au and the eccentricity lower than 0.55. The posterior on GJ~504b's orbital inclination suggests a misalignment with GJ~504A rotation axis. We combine the radial velocity and multi-epoch imaging data to exclude additional objects (90\% prob.) more massive than 2.5 and 30 $\mathrm{M_{Jup}}$ with sma in the range 0.01-80 au for the young and old system ages, respectively. The companion is in the envelope of the population of planets synthetized with our core-accretion model.

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arXiv2018

Orbital and atmospheric characterization of the planet within the gap of the PDS 70 transition disk

Aims: We aim to characterize the orbital and atmospheric properties of PDS 70 b, which was first identified on May 2015 in the course of the SHINE survey with SPHERE, the extreme adaptive-optics instrument at the VLT. Methods: We obtained new deep SPHERE/IRDIS imaging and SPHERE/IFS spectroscopic observations of PDS 70 b. The astrometric baseline now covers 6 years which allows us to perform an orbital analysis. For the first time, we present spectrophotometry of the young planet which covers almost the entire near-infrared range (0.96 to 3.8 micrometer). We use different atmospheric models covering a large parameter space in temperature, log(g), chemical composition, and cloud properties to characterize the properties of the atmosphere of PDS 70 b. Results: PDS 70 b is most likely orbiting the star on a circular and disk coplanar orbit at ~22 au inside the gap of the disk. We find a range of models that can describe the spectrophotometric data reasonably well in the temperature range between 1000-1600 K and log(g) no larger than 3.5 dex. The planet radius covers a relatively large range between 1.4 and 3.7 R_jupiter with the larger radii being higher than expected from planet evolution models for the age of the planet of 5.4 Myr. Conclusions: This study provides a comprehensive dataset on the orbital motion of PDS 70 b, indicating a circular orbit and a motion coplanar with the disk. The first detailed spectral energy distribution of PDS 70 b indicates a temperature typical for young giant planets. The detailed atmospheric analysis indicates that a circumplanetary disk may contribute to the total planet flux.

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