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J. Laskar

Publications and source records attributed to J. Laskar.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
arXiv2017

The new lunar ephemeris INPOP17a and its application to fundamental physics

We present here the new INPOP lunar ephemeris, INPOP17a. This ephemeris is obtained through the numerical integration of the equations of motion and of rotation of the Moon, fitted over 48 years of Lunar Laser Ranging (LLR) data. We also include the 2 years of infrared (IR) LLR data acquired at the Grasse station between 2015 and 2017. Tests of the universality of free fall are performed. We find no violation of the principle of equivalence at the 10-14 level. A new interpretation in the frame of dilaton theories is also proposed.

gr-qc↗
arXiv2016

An extreme planetary system around HD219828. One long-period super Jupiter to a hot-neptune host star

With about 2000 extrasolar planets confirmed, the results show that planetary systems have a whole range of unexpected properties. We present a full investigation of the HD219828 system, a bright metal-rich star for which a hot neptune has previously been detected. We used a set of HARPS, SOPHIE, and ELODIE radial velocities to search for the existence of orbiting companions to HD219828. A dynamical analysis is also performed to study the stability of the system and to constrain the orbital parameters and planet masses. We announce the discovery of a long period (P=13.1years) massive (msini=15.1MJup) companion (HD219828c) in a very eccentric orbit (e=0.81). The same data confirms the existence of a hot-neptune, HD219828b, with a minimum mass of 21 MEarth and a period of 3.83days. The dynamical analysis shows that the system is stable. The HD219828 system is extreme and unique in several aspects. First, among all known exoplanet systems it presents an unusually high mass ratio. We also show that systems like HD219828, with a hot neptune and a long-period massive companion are more frequent than similar systems with a hot jupiter instead. This suggests that the formation of hot neptunes follows a different path than the formation of their hot jovian counterparts. The high mass, long period, and eccentricity of HD219828c also make it a good target for Gaia astrometry as well as a potential target for atmospheric characterisation, using direct imaging or high-resolution spectroscopy. Astrometric observations will allow us to derive its real mass and orbital configuration. If a transit of HD219828b is detected, we will be able to fully characterise the system, including the relative orbital inclinations. With a clearly known mass, HD219828c may become a benchmark object for the range in between giant planets and brown dwarfs.

astro-ph.EP↗
arXiv2016

Constraints on the location of a possible 9th planet derived from the Cassini data

To explain the unusual distribution of Kuiper Belt objects, several authors have advocated the existence of a super-Earth planet in the outer solar system. It has recently been proposed that a 10 M$_{\oplus}$ object with an orbit of 700 AU semi major axis and 0.6 eccentricity can explain the observed distribution of Kuiper Belt objects around Sedna. Here we use the INPOP planetary ephemerides model as a sensor for testing for an additional body in the solar system. We test the possibility of adding the proposed planet without increasing the residuals of the planetary ephemerides, fitted over the whole INPOP planetary data sample. We demonstrate that the presence of such an object is not compatible with the most sensitive data set, the Cassini radio ranging data, if its true anomaly is in the intervals $[-130^\circ:-100^\circ]$ or $[-65^\circ : 85^\circ]$. Moreover, we find that the addition of this object can reduce the Cassini residuals, with a most probable position given by a true anomaly $v = {117.8^\circ}^{ + 11^\circ}_{ - 10^\circ} $.

astro-ph.EP↗
arXiv2016

The SOPHIE search for northern extrasolar planets. X. Detection and characterization of giant planets by the dozen

We present new radial velocity measurements of eight stars secured with the spectrograph SOPHIE at the 193-cm telescope of the Haute-Provence Observatory allowing the detection and characterization of new giant extrasolar planets. The host stars are dwarfs of spectral types between F5 and K0 and magnitudes between 6.7 and 9.6; the planets have minimum masses M_p sin i between 0.4 to 3.8 M_Jup and orbital periods of several days to several months. The data allow only single planets to be discovered around the first six stars (HD143105, HIP109600, HD35759, HIP109384, HD220842, and HD12484), but one of them shows the signature of an additional substellar companion in the system. The seventh star, HIP65407, allows the discovery of two giant planets, just outside the 12:5 resonance in weak mutual interaction. The last star, HD141399, was already known to host a four-planetary system; our additional data and analyses allow new constraints to be put on it. We present Keplerian orbits of all systems, together with dynamical analyses of the two multi-planetary systems. HD143105 is one of the brightest stars known to host a hot Jupiter, which could allow numerous follow-up studies to be conducted despite this is not a transiting system. The giant planets HIP109600b, HIP109384b, and HD141399c are located in the habitable zone of their host star.

astro-ph.EP↗
arXiv2015

IAU 2015 Resolution B2 on Recommended Zero Points for the Absolute and Apparent Bolometric Magnitude Scales

The XXIXth IAU General Assembly in Honolulu adopted IAU 2015 Resolution B2 on recommended zero points for the absolute and apparent bolometric magnitude scales. The resolution was proposed by the IAU Inter-Division A-G Working Group on Nominal Units for Stellar and Planetary Astronomy after consulting with a broad spectrum of researchers from the astronomical community. Resolution B2 resolves the long-standing absence of an internationally-adopted zero point for the absolute and apparent bolometric magnitude scales. Resolution B2 defines the zero point of the absolute bolometric magnitude scale such that a radiation source with $M_{\rm Bol}$ = 0 has luminosity L$_{\circ}$ = 3.0128e28 W. The zero point of the apparent bolometric magnitude scale ($m_{\rm Bol}$ = 0) corresponds to irradiance $f_{\circ}$ = 2.518021002e-8 W/m$^2$. The zero points were chosen so that the nominal solar luminosity (3.828e26 W) adopted by IAU 2015 Resolution B3 corresponds approximately to $M_{\rm Bol}$(Sun) = 4.74, the value most commonly adopted in recent literature. The nominal total solar irradiance (1361 W/m$^2$) adopted in IAU 2015 Resolution B3 corresponds approximately to apparent bolometric magnitude $m_{\rm bol}$(Sun) = -26.832. Implicit in the IAU 2015 Resolution B2 definition of the apparent bolometric magnitude scale is an exact definition for the parsec (648000/$π$ au) based on the IAU 2012 Resolution B2 definition of the astronomical unit.

astro-ph.SR↗
arXiv2015

IAU 2015 Resolution B3 on Recommended Nominal Conversion Constants for Selected Solar and Planetary Properties

Astronomers commonly quote the properties of celestial objects in units of parameters for the Sun, Jupiter, or the Earth. The resolution presented here was proposed by the IAU Inter-Division Working Group on Nominal Units for Stellar and Planetary Astronomy and passed by the XXIXth IAU General Assembly in Honolulu. IAU 2015 Resolution B3 adopts a set of nominal solar, terrestrial, and jovian conversion constants for stellar and (exo)planetary astronomy which are defined to be exact SI values. While the nominal constants are based on current best estimates (CBEs; which have uncertainties, are not secularly constant, and are updated regularly using new observations), they should be interpreted as standard values and not as CBEs. IAU 2015 Resolution B3 adopts five solar conversion constants (nominal solar radius, nominal total solar irradiance, nominal solar luminosity, nominal solar effective temperature, and nominal solar mass parameter) and six planetary conversion constants (nominal terrestrial equatorial radius, nominal terrestrial polar radius, nominal jovian equatorial radius, nominal jovian polar radius, nominal terrestrial mass parameter, and nominal jovian mass parameter).

astro-ph.SR↗
arXiv2015

INPOP new release: INPOP13b

Based on the use of MESSENGER radiotracking data in the construction of new Mercury ephemerides (Verma et al. 2014) a new planetary ephemerides INPOP13b was built including Mercury improvements but also improvements on the Mars orbit and on the tie of INPOP planetary ephemerides to ICRF in general.

astro-ph.EP↗
arXiv2015

Stability of resonant configurations during the migration of planets and constraints on disk-planet interactions

We study the stability of mean-motion resonances (MMR) between two planets during their migration in a protoplanetary disk. We use an analytical model of resonances, and describe the effect of the disk by a migration timescale (T_{m,i}) and an eccentricity damping timescale (T_{e,i}) for each planet (i=1,2 respectively for the inner and outer planet). We show that the resonant configuration is stable if T_{e,1}/T_{e,2} > (e_1/e_2)^2. This general result can be used to put constraints on specific models of disk-planet interactions. For instance, using classical prescriptions for type I migration, we show that when the angular momentum deficit (AMD) of the inner orbit is larger than the outer's orbit AMD, resonant systems must have a locally inverted disk density profile to stay locked in resonance during the migration. This inversion is very untypical of type I migration and our criterion can thus provide an evidence against classical type I migration. That is indeed the case for the Jupiter-mass resonant systems HD 60532b, c (3:1 MMR), GJ 876b, c (2:1 MMR), and HD 45364b, c (3:2 MMR). This result may be an evidence for type II migration (gap opening planets), which is compatible with the large masses of these planets.

astro-ph.EP↗
arXiv2014

Tests of General relativity with planetary orbits and Monte Carlo simulations

Based on the new developped planetary ephemerides INPOP13c, determinations of acceptable intervals of General Relativity violation in considering simultaneously the PPN parameters $β$, PPN $γ$, the flattening of the sun $J_{2}^\odot$ and time variation of the gravitational mass of the sun $μ$ are obtained in using Monte Carlo simulation coupled with basic genetic algorithm. Possible time variations of the gravitational constant G are also deduced. Discussions are lead about the better choice of indicators for the goodness-of-fit for each run and limits consistent with general relativity are obtained simultaneously.

astro-ph.EP↗
arXiv2014

Tidal dissipation and the formation of Kepler near-resonant planets

Multi-planetary systems detected by the Kepler mission present an excess of planets close to first-order mean-motion resonances (2:1 and 3:2) but with a period ratio slightly higher than the resonant value. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain this observation. Here we provide some clues that these near-resonant systems were initially in resonance and reached their current configuration through tidal dissipation. The argument that has been opposed to this scenario is that it only applies to the close-in systems and not to the farthest ones for which the tidal effect is too weak. Using the catalog of KOI of the Kepler mission, we show that the distributions of period ratio among the most close-in planetary systems and the farthest ones differ significantly. This distance dependent repartition is a strong argument in favor of the tidal dissipation scenario.

astro-ph.EP↗
arXiv2014

Interests of a new lunar laser instrumentation on the ESO NTT Telescope

We analyze the impact of the installation of a lunar laser ranging device on the NTT 3.6m ESO telescope. With such an instrument, the scientific communities of fundamental physics and solar system formation will highly benefit of the only LLR station in the Southern Hemisphere. The quality of the NTT 3.6 meter telescope will also greatly complement the LLR 3.5 meter Apache Point telescope (3.5 m) instrument in the Northern Hemisphere (USA) which is the best instrument for tracking the Moon since 2006. Finally, we also consider the technical characteristics of such installation including the observational constraints.

astro-ph.IM↗
arXiv2014

Resonance breaking due to dissipation in planar planetary systems

We study the evolution of two planets around a star, in mean-motion resonance and undergoing tidal effect. We derive an integrable analytical model of mean-motion resonances of any order which reproduce the main features of the resonant dynamics. Using this simplified model, we obtain a criterion showing that depending on the balance of the tidal dissipation in both planets, their final period ratio may stay at the resonant value, increase above, or decrease below the resonant value. Applying this criterion to the two inner planets orbiting GJ163, we deduce that the current period ratio (2.97) could be the outcome of dissipation in the 3:1 MMR provided that the innermost planet is gaseous (slow dissipation) while the second one is rocky (faster dissipation). We perform N-body simulations with tidal dissipation to confirm the results of our analytical model. We also apply our criterion on GJ581b, c (5:2 MMR) and reproduce the current period ratio (2.4) if the inner planet is gaseous and the outer is rocky (as for GJ163). Finally, we apply our model to the Kepler mission's statistics. We show that the excess of planets pairs close to first order MMR but in external circulation, i.e., with period ratios P_out/P_in > (p+1)/p for the resonance (p+1):p, can be reproduced by tidal dissipation in the inner planet. There is no need for any other dissipative mechanism, provided that these systems left the resonance with non-negligible eccentricities.

astro-ph.EP↗
arXiv2013

The HARPS search for southern extra-solar planets. XXXIV. A planetary system around the nearby M dwarf GJ163, with a super-Earth possibly in the habitable zone

The meter-per-second precision achieved by today velocimeters enables the search for 1-10 M_Earth planets in the habitable zone of cool stars. This paper reports on the detection of 3 planets orbiting GJ163 (HIP19394), a M3 dwarf monitored by our ESO/HARPS search for planets. We made use of the HARPS spectrograph to collect 150 radial velocities of GJ163 over a period of 8 years. We searched the RV time series for coherent signals and found 5 distinct periodic variabilities. We investigated the stellar activity and casted doubts on the planetary interpretation for 2 signals. Before more data can be acquired we concluded that at least 3 planets are orbiting GJ163. They have orbital periods of P_b=8.632+-0.002, P_c=25.63+-0.03 and P_d=604+-8 days and minimum masses msini = 10.6+-0.6, 6.8+-0.9, and 29+-3 M_Earth, respectively. We hold our interpretations for the 2 additional signals with periods P_(e)=19.4 and P_(f)=108 days. The inner pair presents an orbital period ratio of 2.97, but a dynamical analysis of the system shows that it lays outside the 3:1 mean motion resonance. GJ163c, in particular, is a super-Earth with an equilibrium temperature of T_eq = (302+-10) (1-A)^(1/4) K and may lie in the so called habitable zone for albedo values (A=0.34-0.89) moderately higher than that of Earth (A_Earth=0.2-0.3).

astro-ph.EP↗
arXiv2013

Tidal damping of the mutual inclination in hierachical systems

Hierarchical two-planet systems, in which the inner body's semi-major axis is between 0.1 and 0.5 AU, usually present high eccentricity values, at least for one of the orbits. As a result of the formation process, one may expect that planetary systems with high eccentricities also have high mutual inclinations. However, here we show that tidal effects combined with gravitational interactions damp the initial mutual inclination to modest values in timescales that are shorter than the age of the system. This effect is not a direct consequence of tides on the orbits, but it results from a secular forcing of the inner planet's flattening. We then conclude that these hierarchical planetary systems are unlikely to present very high mutual inclinations, at least as long as the orbits remain outside the Lidov-Kozai libration areas. The present study can also be extended to systems of binary stars and to planet-satellite systems.

astro-ph.EP↗
arXiv2013

INPOP new release: INPOP10e

The INPOP ephemerides have known several improvements and evolutions since the first INPOP06 release (Fienga et al. 2008) in 2008. In 2010, anticipating the IAU 2012 resolutions, adjustement of the gravitational solar mass with a fixed astronomical unit (AU) has been for the first time implemented in INPOP10a (Fienga et al. 2011) together with improvements in the asteroid mass determinations. With the latest INPOP10e version, such advancements have been enhanced and studies about solar corona have also been investigated (Verma et al. 2012). The use of planetary ephemerides for several physical applications are presented here from electronic densities of solar slow and fast winds to asteroid mass determinations and tests of general relativity operated with INPOP10a. Perspectives will also be drawn especially related to the analysis of the Messenger spacecraft data for the planetary orbits and future computation of the time variations of the gravitational mass of the sun.

astro-ph.EP↗
arXiv2013

Electron density distribution and solar plasma correction of radio signals using MGS, MEX and VEX spacecraft navigation data and its application to planetary ephemerides

The Mars Global Surveyor (MGS), Mars Express (MEX), and Venus Express (VEX) experienced several superior solar conjunctions. These conjunctions cause severe degradations of radio signals when the line of sight between the Earth and the spacecraft passes near to the solar corona region. The primary objective of this work is to deduce a solar corona model from the spacecraft navigation data acquired at the time of solar conjunctions and to estimate its average electron density. The corrected or improved data are then used to fit the dynamical modeling of the planet motions, called planetary ephemerides. We analyzed the radio science raw data of the MGS spacecraft using the orbit determination software GINS. The range bias, obtained from GINS and provided by ESA for MEX and VEX, are then used to derive the electron density profile. These profiles are obtained for different intervals of solar distances: from 12Rs to 215Rs for MGS, 6Rs to 152Rs for MEX, and form 12Rs to 154Rs for VEX. They are acquired for each spacecraft individually, for ingress and egress phases separately and both phases together, for different types of solar winds (fast, slow), and for solar activity phases (minimum, maximum). We compared our results with the previous estimations that were based on in situ measurements, and on solar type III radio and radio science studies made at different phases of solar activity and at different solar wind states. Our results are consistent with estimations obtained by these different methods. Moreover, fitting the planetary ephemerides including complementary data that were corrected for the solar corona perturbations, noticeably improves the extrapolation capability of the planetary ephemerides and the estimation of the asteroids masses.

physics.space-ph↗
arXiv2012

Dissipation in planar resonant planetary systems

Close-in planetary systems detected by the Kepler mission present an excess of periods ratio that are just slightly larger than some low order resonant values. This feature occurs naturally when resonant couples undergo dissipation that damps the eccentricities. However, the resonant angles appear to librate at the end of the migration process, which is often believed to be an evidence that the systems remain in resonance. Here we provide an analytical model for the dissipation in resonant planetary systems valid for low eccentricities. We confirm that dissipation accounts for an excess of pairs that lie just aside from the nominal periods ratios, as observed by the Kepler mission. In addition, by a global analysis of the phase space of the problem, we demonstrate that these final pairs are non-resonant. Indeed, the separatrices that exist in the resonant systems disappear with the dissipation, and remains only a circulation of the orbits around a single elliptical fixed point. Furthermore, the apparent libration of the resonant angles can be explained using the classical secular averaging method. We show that this artifact is only due to the severe damping of the amplitudes of the eigenmodes in the secular motion.

astro-ph.EP↗