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N. C. Santos

Publications and source records attributed to N. C. Santos.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
arXiv2024

The tidal deformation and atmosphere of WASP-12b from its phase curve

Ultra-hot Jupiters present a unique opportunity to understand the physics and chemistry of planets at extreme conditions. WASP-12b stands out as an archetype of this class of exoplanets. We performed comprehensive analyses of the transits, occultations, and phase curves of WASP-12b by combining new CHEOPS observations with previous TESS and Spitzer data to measure the planet's tidal deformation, atmospheric properties, and orbital decay rate. The planet was modeled as a triaxial ellipsoid parameterized by the second-order fluid Love number, $h_2$, which quantifies its radial deformation and provides insight into the interior structure. We measured the tidal deformation of WASP-12b and estimated a Love number of $h_2=1.55_{-0.49}^{+0.45}$ (at 3.2$σ$) from its phase curve. We measured occultation depths of $333\pm24$ppm and $493\pm29$ppm in the CHEOPS and TESS bands, respectively, while the dayside emission spectrum indicates that CHEOPS and TESS probe similar pressure levels in the atmosphere at a temperature of 2900K. We also estimated low geometric albedos of $0.086\pm0.017$ and $0.01\pm0.023$ in the CHEOPS and TESS passbands, respectively, suggesting the absence of reflective clouds in the dayside of the WASP-12b. The CHEOPS occultations do not show strong evidence for variability in the dayside atmosphere of the planet. Finally, we refine the orbital decay rate by 12% to a value of -30.23$\pm$0.82 ms/yr. WASP-12b becomes the second exoplanet, after WASP-103b, for which the Love number has been measured (at 3$sigma$) from the effect of tidal deformation in the light curve. However, constraining the core mass fraction of the planet requires measuring $h_2$ with a higher precision. This can be achieved with high signal-to-noise observations with JWST since the phase curve amplitude, and consequently the induced tidal deformation effect, is higher in the infrared.

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arXiv2024

TESS and ESPRESSO discover a super-Earth and a mini-Neptune orbiting the K-dwarf TOI-238

The number of super-Earth and mini-Neptune planet discoveries has increased significantly in the last two decades thanks to transit and radial velocity surveys. When it is possible to apply both techniques, we can characterise the internal composition of exoplanets, which in turn provides unique insights on their architecture, formation and evolution. We performed a combined photometric and radial velocity analysis of TOI-238 (TYC 6398-132-1), which has one short-orbit super-Earth planet candidate announced by NASA's TESS team. We aim to confirm its planetary nature using radial velocities taken with the ESPRESSO and HARPS spectrographs, to measure its mass and to detect the presence of other possible planetary companions. We carried out a joint analysis by including Gaussian processes and Keplerian orbits to account for the stellar activity and planetary signals simultaneously. We detected the signal induced by TOI-238 b in the radial velocity time-series, and the presence of a second transiting planet, TOI-238 c, whose signal appears in RV and TESS data. TOI-238 b is a planet with a radius of 1.402$^{+0.084}_{-0.086}$ R$_{\oplus}$ and a mass of 3.40$^{+0.46}_{-0.45}$ M$_{\oplus}$. It orbits at a separation of 0.02118 $\pm$ 0.00038 AU of its host star, with an orbital period of 1.2730988 $\pm$ 0.0000029 days, and has an equilibrium temperature of 1311 $\pm$ 28 K. TOI-238 c has a radius of 2.18$\pm$ 0.18 R$_{\oplus}$ and a mass of 6.7 $\pm$ 1.1 M$_{\oplus}$. It orbits at a separation of 0.0749 $\pm$ 0.0013 AU of its host star, with an orbital period of 8.465652 $\pm$ 0.000031 days, and has an equilibrium temperature of 696 $\pm$ 15 K. The mass and radius of planet b are fully consistent with an Earth-like composition, making it likely a rocky super-Earth. Planet c could be a water-rich planet or a rocky planet with a small H-He atmosphere.

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arXiv2024

Density discrepancy between transit-timing variations and radial velocity: Insights from the host star composition

The determination of planetary densities from the masses derived with the radial velocity (RV) and transit-timing variation (TTV) methods reveals discrepancies. Specifically, planets detected through RV exhibit higher densities than those detected through TTV, even though their radii are similar. We explored the possibility that the discrepant mass/densities in the TTV and RV populations might be linked to the properties of the environments in which these planets are formed. For the largest currently available sample of FGK-type stars hosting low-mass TTV and RV planets, we determined the host star abundances. Then, by employing a simple stoichiometric model, we used these abundances to estimate the iron-to-silicate mass fraction ($f_{iron}$) and the water-mass fraction ($w_{f}$) of the protoplanetary disks. We also calculated the kinematic properties of the host stars. We observed an indication that the hosts of TTV planets have slightly higher $f_{iron}$ and lower $w_{f}$ values than their RV counterparts. This suggests that TTV planets (without considering their atmospheres) are denser than RV planets on average, which implies that larger atmospheres on TTV planets are required to account for their overall lower densities. However, we also note differences in the properties of the planets, such as their orbital periods, and variations in the quality of the spectroscopic data, which may have an impact on these results. Exploring the TTV-RV mass and/or density discrepancy through a chemical analysis of the host star holds promise for future research, particularly with larger sample sizes and higher-quality data. Meanwhile, the provided detailed host star abundances can be employed to study the composition of the planets within the current sample, thereby contributing to a better understanding of the aforementioned discrepancy.

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arXiv2024

The compact multi-planet system GJ 9827 revisited with ESPRESSO

GJ 9827 is a bright, nearby K7V star orbited by two super-Earths and one mini-Neptune on close-in orbits. The system was first discovered using K2 data and then further characterized by other spectroscopic and photometric instruments. Previous literature studies provide several mass measurements for the three planets, however, with large variations and uncertainties. To better constrain the planetary masses, we added high-precision radial velocity measurements from ESPRESSO to published datasets from HARPS, HARPS-N, and HIRES and we performed a Gaussian process analysis combining radial velocity and photometric datasets from K2 and TESS. This method allowed us to model the stellar activity signal and derive precise planetary parameters. We determined planetary masses of $M_b = 4.28_{-0.33}^{+0.35}$ M${_\oplus}$, $M_c = 1.86_{-0.39}^{+0.37}$ M${_\oplus}$, and $M_d = 3.02_{-0.57}^{+0.58}$ M${_\oplus}$, and orbital periods of $1.208974 \pm 0.000001$ days for planet b, $3.648103_{-0.000010}^{+0.000013}$ days for planet c, and $6.201812 \pm 0.000009$ days for planet d. We compared our results to literature values and found that our derived uncertainties for the planetary mass, period, and radial velocity amplitude are smaller than the previously determined uncertainties. We modeled the interior composition of the three planets using the machine-learning-based tool ExoMDN and conclude that GJ 9827 b and c have an Earth-like composition, whereas GJ 9827 d has an hydrogen envelope, which, together with its density, places it in the mini-Neptune regime.

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arXiv2023

The EBLM Project XI. Mass, radius and effective temperature measurements for 23 M-dwarf companions to solar-type stars observed with CHEOPS

Observations of low-mass stars have frequently shown a disagreement between observed stellar radii and radii predicted by theoretical stellar structure models. This ``radius inflation'' problem could have an impact on both stellar and exoplanetary science. We present the final results of our observation programme with the CHEOPS satellite to obtain high-precision light curves of eclipsing binaries with low mass stellar companions (EBLMs). Combined with the spectroscopic orbits of the solar-type companion, we can derive the masses, radii and effective temperatures of 23 M-dwarf stars. We use the PYCHEOPS data analysis software to analyse their primary and secondary occultations. For all but one target, we also perform analyses with TESS light curves for comparison. We have assessed the impact of starspot-induced variation on our derived parameters and account for this in our radius and effective temperature uncertainties using simulated light curves. We observe trends for inflation with both metallicity and orbital separation. We also observe a strong trend in the difference between theoretical and observational effective temperatures with metallicity. There is no such trend with orbital separation. These results are not consistent with the idea that observed inflation in stellar radius combines with lower effective temperature to preserve the luminosity predicted by low-mass stellar models. Our EBLM systems are high-quality and homogeneous measurements that can be used in further studies into radius inflation.

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arXiv2023

TOI-1736 and TOI-2141: two systems including sub-Neptunes around solar analogs revealed by TESS and SOPHIE

Planetary systems around solar analogs inform us about how planets form and evolve in Solar System-like environments. We report the detection and characterization of two planetary systems around the solar analogs TOI-1736 and TOI-2141 using TESS photometry data and spectroscopic data obtained with the SOPHIE instrument on the 1.93 m telescope at the Observatoire de Haute-Provence (OHP). We performed a detailed spectroscopic analysis of these systems to obtain the precise radial velocities (RV) and physical properties of their host stars. TOI-1736 and TOI-2141 each host a transiting sub-Neptune with radii of $2.44\pm0.18$ R$_{\oplus}$ and $3.05\pm0.23$ R$_{\oplus}$, orbital periods of $7.073088(7)$ d and $18.26157(6)$ d, and masses of $12.8\pm1.8$ M$_{\oplus}$ and $24\pm4$ M$_{\oplus}$, respectively. TOI-1736 shows long-term RV variations that are consistent with a two-planet solution plus a linear trend of $-0.177$ ms$^{-1}$d$^{-1}$. We measured an RV semi-amplitude of $201.1\pm0.7$ ms$^{-1}$ for the outer companion, TOI-1736 c, implying a projected mass of $m_{c}\sin{i}=8.09\pm0.20$ M$_{\rm Jup}$. From the GAIA DR3 astrometric excess noise, we constrained the mass of TOI-1736 c at $8.7^{+1.5}_{-0.6}$ M$_{\rm Jup}$. This planet is in an orbit of $570.2\pm0.6$ d with an eccentricity of $0.362\pm0.003$ and a semi-major axis of $1.381\pm0.017$ au, where it receives a flux of $0.71\pm0.08$ times the bolometric flux incident on Earth, making it an interesting case of a supergiant planet that has settled into an eccentric orbit in the habitable zone of a solar analog. Our analysis of the mass-radius relation for the transiting sub-Neptunes shows that both TOI-1736 b and TOI-2141 b likely have an Earth-like dense rocky core and a water-rich envelope.

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arXiv2023

Characterising TOI-732 b and c: New insights into the M-dwarf radius and density valley

TOI-732 is an M dwarf hosting two transiting planets that are located on the two opposite sides of the radius valley. By doubling the number of available space-based observations and increasing the number of radial velocity (RV) measurements, we aim at refining the parameters of TOI-732 b and c. We also use the results to study the slope of the radius valley and the density valley for a well-characterised sample of M-dwarf exoplanets. We performed a global MCMC analysis by jointly modelling ground-based light curves and CHEOPS and TESS observations, along with RV time series both taken from the literature and obtained with the MAROON-X spectrograph. The slopes of the M-dwarf valleys were quantified via a Support Vector Machine (SVM) procedure. TOI-732 b is an ultrashort-period planet ($P\sim0.77$ d) with a radius $R_b=1.325_{-0.058}^{+0.057}$ $R_{\oplus}$ and a mass $M_b=2.46\pm0.19$ $M_{\oplus}$ (mean density $ρ_b=5.8_{-0.8}^{+1.0}$ g cm$^{-3}$), while the outer planet at $P\sim12.25$ d has $R_c=2.39_{-0.11}^{+0.10}$ $R_{\oplus}$, $M_c=8.04_{-0.48}^{+0.50}$ $M_{\oplus}$, and thus $ρ_c=3.24_{-0.43}^{+0.55}$ g cm$^{-3}$. Also taking into account our interior structure calculations, TOI-732 b is a super-Earth and TOI-732 c is a mini-Neptune. Following the SVM approach, we quantified $\mathrm{d}\log{R_{p,{\mathrm{valley}}}}/\mathrm{d}\log{P}=-0.065_{-0.013}^{+0.024}$, which is flatter than for Sun-like stars. In line with former analyses, we note that the radius valley for M-dwarf planets is more densely populated, and we further quantify the slope of the density valley as $\mathrm{d}\log{\hatρ_{\mathrm{valley}}}/\mathrm{d}\log{P}=-0.02_{-0.04}^{+0.12}$. Compared to FGK stars, the weaker dependence of the position of the radius valley on the orbital period might indicate that the formation shapes the radius valley around M dwarfs more strongly than the evolution mechanisms.

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arXiv2023

CHEOPS observations of KELT-20 b/MASCARA-2 b: An aligned orbit and signs of variability from a reflective dayside

Occultations are windows of opportunity to indirectly peek into the dayside atmosphere of exoplanets. High-precision transit events provide information on the spin-orbit alignment of exoplanets around fast-rotating hosts. We aim to precisely measure the planetary radius and geometric albedo of the ultra-hot Jupiter (UHJ) KELT-20 b as well as the system's spin-orbit alignment. We obtained optical high-precision transits and occultations of KELT-20 b using CHEOPS observations in conjunction with the simultaneous TESS observations. We interpreted the occultation measurements together with archival infrared observations to measure the planetary geometric albedo and dayside temperatures. We further used the host star's gravity-darkened nature to measure the system's obliquity. We present a time-averaged precise occultation depth of 82(6) ppm measured with seven CHEOPS visits and 131(+8/-7) ppm from the analysis of all available TESS photometry. Using these measurements, we precisely constrain the geometric albedo of KELT-20 b to 0.26(0.04) and the brightness temperature of the dayside hemisphere to 2566(+77/-80) K. Assuming Lambertian scattering law, we constrain the Bond albedo to 0.36(+0.04/-0.05) along with a minimal heat transfer to the night side. Furthermore, using five transit observations we provide stricter constraints of 3.9(1.1) degrees on the sky-projected obliquity of the system. The aligned orbit of KELT-20 b is in contrast to previous CHEOPS studies that have found strongly inclined orbits for planets orbiting other A-type stars. The comparably high planetary geometric albedo of KELT-20 b corroborates a known trend of strongly irradiated planets being more reflective. Finally, we tentatively detect signs of temporal variability in the occultation depths, which might indicate variable cloud cover advecting onto the planetary day side.

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arXiv2023

The SOPHIE search for northern extrasolar planets-XIX. A system including a cold sub-Neptune potentially transiting a V = 6.5 star HD88986

Transiting planets with orbital periods longer than 40 d are extremely rare among the 5000+ planets discovered so far. The lack of discoveries of this population poses a challenge to research into planetary demographics, formation, and evolution. Here, we present the detection and characterization of HD88986b, a potentially transiting sub-Neptune, possessing the longest orbital period among known transiting small planets (< 4 R$_{\oplus}$) with a precise mass measurement ($σ_M/M$ > 25%). Additionally, we identified the presence of a massive companion in a wider orbit around HD88986. Our analysis reveals that HD88986b, based on two potential single transits on sector 21 and sector 48 which are both consistent with the predicted transit time from the RV model, is potentially transiting. The joint analysis of RV and photometric data show that HD88986b has a radius of 2.49$\pm$0.18 R$_{\oplus}$, a mass of 17.2$^{+4.0}_{-3.8}$ M$_{\oplus}$, and it orbits every 146.05$^{+0.43}_{-0.40}$ d around a subgiant HD88986 which is one of the closest and brightest exoplanet host stars (G2V type, R=1.543 $\pm$0.065 R$_{\odot}$, V=$6.47\pm 0.01$ mag, distance=33.37$\pm$0.04 pc). The nature of the outer, massive companion is still to be confirmed; a joint analysis of RVs, Hipparcos, and Gaia astrometric data shows that with a 3$σ$ confidence interval, its semi-major axis is between 16.7 and 38.8 au and its mass is between 68 and 284 M$_{Jup}$. HD88986b's wide orbit suggests the planet did not undergo significant mass loss due to extreme-ultraviolet radiation from its host star. Therefore, it probably maintained its primordial composition, allowing us to probe its formation scenario. Furthermore, the cold nature of HD88986b (460$\pm$8 K), thanks to its long orbital period, will open up exciting opportunities for future studies of cold atmosphere composition characterization.

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arXiv2023

No random transits in CHEOPS observations of HD 139139

HD 139139 (a.k.a. 'The Random Transiter') is a star that exhibited enigmatic transit-like features with no apparent periodicity in K2 data. The shallow depth of the events ($\sim$200 ppm -- equivalent to transiting objects with radii of $\sim$1.5 R$_\oplus$ in front of a Sun-like star), and their non-periodicity, constitutes a challenge for the photometric follow-up of this star. The goal of this study is to confirm with independent measurements the presence of shallow, non-periodic transit-like features on this object. We performed observations with CHEOPS, for a total accumulated time of 12.75 d, distributed in visits of roughly 20 h in two observing campaigns in years 2021 and 2022. The precision of the data is sufficient to detect 150 ppm features with durations longer than 1.5 h. We use the duration and times of the events seen in the K2 curve to estimate how many should have been detected in our campaigns, under the assumption that their behaviour during the CHEOPS observations would be the same as in the K2 data of 2017. We do not detect events with depths larger than 150 ppm in our data set. If the frequency, depth, and duration of the events were the same as in the K2 campaign, we estimate the probability of having missed all events due to our limited observing window would be 4.8 %. We suggest three different scenarios to explain our results: 1) Our observing window was not long enough, and the events were missed with the estimated 4.8 % probability. 2) The events recorded in the K2 observations were time critical, and the mechanism producing them was either not active in the 2021 and 2022 campaigns or created shallower events under our detectability level. 3) The enigmatic events in the K2 data are the result of an unidentified and infrequent instrumental noise in the original data set or its data treatment.

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arXiv2023

An ESPRESSO view of HD 189733 system. Broadband transmission spectrum, differential rotation, and system architecture

The development of state-of-the-art spectrographs has ushered in a new era in the detection and characterization of exoplanetary systems. Our objective is to utilize the high-resolution and precision capabilities of the ESPRESSO instrument to detect and measure the broad-band transmission spectrum of HD 189733b's atmosphere. Additionally, we aim to employ an improved Rossiter-McLaughlin model to derive properties related to the velocity fields of the stellar surface and to constrain the orbital architecture. Our results demonstrate a high degree of precision in fitting the observed radial velocities during transit using the improved modeling of the Rossiter-McLaughlin effect. We tentatively detect the effect of differential rotation with a confidence level of $93.4 \%$ when considering a rotation period within the photometric literature values, and $99.6\%$ for a broader range of rotation periods. For the former, the amplitude of differential rotation ratio suggests an equatorial rotation period of $11.45\pm 0.09$ days and a polar period of $14.9\pm 2$. The addition of differential rotation breaks the latitudinal symmetry, enabling us to measure the true spin-orbit angle $ ψ\approx 13.6 \pm 6.9 ^\circ$ and the stellar inclination axis angle $ i_{\star} \approx 71.87 ^{+6.91^\circ}_{-5.55^\circ}$. Moreover, we determine a sub-solar amplitude of the convective blueshift velocity $V_{CB}$ $\approx$ $-211 ^{+69} _{-61}$ m$\,$s$ ^{-1}$, which falls within the expected range for a K-dwarf host star and is compatible with both runs. Finally, we successfully retrieved the transmission spectrum of HD 189733b from the high-resolution ESPRESSO data. We observe a significant decrease in radius with increasing wavelength, consistent with the phenomenon of super-Rayleigh scattering.

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arXiv2023

On the 12C/13C isotopic ratio at the dawn of chemical evolution

The known Mega and Hyper Metal-Poor (MMP-HMP) stars with [Fe/H]<-6.0 and <-5.0, respectively, likely belong to the CEMP-no class, i.e. carbon-enhanced stars with low or absent second peak neutron capture elements. They are likely second generation stars and the few elements measurable in their atmospheres are used to infer the properties of single or very few progenitors. The high carbon abundance in the CEMP-no stars offers a unique opportunity to measure the carbon isotopic ratio, which directly monitors the presence of mixing between the He and H-burning layers either within the star or in the progenitor(s). By means of high-resolution spectra acquired with the ESPRESSO spectrograph at the VLT we aim to derive values for the 12C/13C ratio at the lowest metallicities. A spectral synthesis technique based on the SYNTHE code and on ATLAS models is used within a Markov-chain Monte Carlo methodology to derive 12C/13C in the stellar atmospheres of five of the most metal poor stars. These are the Mega Metal-Poor giant SMS J0313-6708 ([Fe/H]<-7.1), the Hyper Metal-Poor dwarf HE1327-2326 ([Fe/H]=-5.8),the Hyper Metal-Poor giant SDSS J1313-0019 ([Fe/H] = -5.0) and the Ultra Metal-Poor subgiant HE0233-0343 ([Fe/H]=-4.7). We also revise a previous value for the Mega Metal-Poor giant SMSS J1605-1443 with ([Fe/H] = -6.2). In four stars we derive an isotopic value while for HE1327-2326 we provide a lower limit. All Measurements are in the range 39<12C/13C<100 showing that the He- and H-burning layers underwent partial mixing either in the stars or, more likely, in their progenitors. This provides evidence of a primary production of 13C at the dawn of chemical evolution. [abridged]

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arXiv2023

Planets around evolved intermediate-mass stars III. Planet candidates and long-term activity signals in six open clusters

[abridged]The aim of this work is to search for planets around evolved stars, with a special focus on stars more massive than 2\,M$_\odot$ in light of previous findings that show a drop in planet occurrence around stars above this mass. We used \texttt{kima} to find the Keplerian orbits most capable of explaining the periodic signals observed in RV data. We also studied the variation of stellar activity indicators and photometry in order to discard stellar signals mimicking the presence of planets. We present a planet candidate in the open cluster NGC3680 that orbits the 1.64\,M$_\odot$ star No. 41. The planet has a minimum mass of 5.13M\,$_{J}$ and a period of 1155 days. We also present periodic and large-amplitude RV signals of probable stellar origin in two more massive stars (5.84 and 3.05\,M$_\odot$ in the clusters NGC2345 and NGC3532). Finally, using new data, we revise the RV signals of the three stars analysed in our previous paper. We confirm the stellar origin of the signals observed in NGC2423 No. 3 and NGC4349 No. 127. On the other hand, the new data collected for IC4651 No. 9122 (1.79\,M$_\odot$) seem to support the presence of a bona fide planet of 6.22M\,$_{J}$ at a period of 744 days, although more data will be needed to discard a possible correlation with the CCF-FWHM. The targets presented in this work showcase the difficulties in interpreting RV data for evolved massive stars. The use of several activity indicators (CCF-FWHM, CCF-BIS, \ha), photometry, and long-term observations (covering several orbital and stellar rotational periods) is required to discern the true nature of the signals. However, in some cases, all this information is insufficient, and the inclusion of additional data -- such as the determination of magnetic field variability or RV points in the near-infrared -- will be necessary to identify the nature of the discovered signals.

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arXiv2023

Constraining the reflective properties of WASP-178b using Cheops photometry

Multiwavelength photometry of the secondary eclipses of extrasolar planets is able to disentangle the reflected and thermally emitted light radiated from the planetary dayside. This leads to the measurement of the planetary geometric albedo $A_g$, which is an indicator of the presence of clouds in the atmosphere, and the recirculation efficiency $ε$, which quantifies the energy transport within the atmosphere. In this work we aim to measure $A_g$ and $ε$ for the planet WASP-178 b, a highly irradiated giant planet with an estimated equilibrium temperature of 2450 K.} We analyzed archival spectra and the light curves collected by Cheops and Tess to characterize the host WASP-178, refine the ephemeris of the system and measure the eclipse depth in the passbands of the two respective telescopes. We measured a marginally significant eclipse depth of 70$\pm$40 ppm in the Tess passband and statistically significant depth of 70$\pm$20 ppm in the Cheops passband. Combining the eclipse depth measurement in the Cheops (lambda_eff=6300 AA) and Tess (lambda_eff=8000 AA) passbands we constrained the dayside brightness temperature of WASP-178 b in the 2250-2800 K interval. The geometric albedo 0.1<$\rm A_g$<0.35 is in general agreement with the picture of poorly reflective giant planets, while the recirculation efficiency $ε>$0.7 makes WASP-178 b an interesting laboratory to test the current heat recirculation models.

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arXiv2023

A compact multi-planet system transiting HIP 29442 (TOI-469) discovered by TESS and ESPRESSO. Radial velocities lead to the detection of transits with low signal-to-noise ratio

We followed-up with ESPRESSO the K0V star HIP 29442 (TOI-469), already known to host a validated sub-Neptune companion TOI-469.01. We aim to verify the planetary nature of TOI-469.01. We modelled radial velocity and photometric time series to measure the dynamical mass, radius, and ephemeris, and to characterise the internal structure and composition of TOI-469.01. We confirmed the planetary nature of TOI-469.01. Thanks to ESPRESSO we discovered two additional close-in companions. We also detected their low signal-to-noise transit signals in the TESS light curve. HIP 29442 is a compact multi-planet system, and the three planets have orbital periods $P_{\rm orb, b}=13.63083\pm0.00003$, $P_{\rm orb, c}=3.53796\pm0.00003$, and $P_{\rm orb, d}=6.42975^{+0.00009}_{-0.00010}$ days, and we measured their masses with high precision: $m_{\rm p, b}=9.6\pm0.8~M_{\oplus}$, $m_{\rm p, c}=4.5\pm0.3~M_{\oplus}$, and $m_{\rm p, d}=5.1\pm0.4~M_{\oplus}$. We measured radii and bulk densities of all the planets (the 3$σ$ confidence intervals are shown in parenthesis): $R_{\rm p, b}=3.48^{+0.07 (+0.19)}_{-0.08 (-0.28)} ~R_{\oplus}$ and $ρ_{\rm p, b}=1.3\pm0.2 (0.3) g~cm^{-3}$; $R_{\rm p, c}=1.58^{+0.10 (+0.30)}_{-0.11 (-0.34)}~R_{\oplus}$ and $ρ_{\rm p, c}=6.3^{+1.7 (+6.0)}_{-1.3 (-2.7)} g~cm^{-3}$; $R_{\rm p, d}=1.37\pm0.11^{(+0.32)}_{(-0.43)}~R_{\oplus}$ and $ρ_{\rm p, d}=11.0^{+3.4 (+21.0)}_{-2.4 (-6.3)} g~cm^{-3}$. We used the more conservative 3$σ$ confidence intervals for the radii as input to the interior structure modelling. We find that HIP 29442 $b$ appears as a typical sub-Neptune, likely surrounded by a gas layer of pure H-He with a mass of $0.27^{+0.24}_{-0.17} M_{\oplus}$ and a thickness of $1.4\pm0.5 R_{\oplus}$. For the innermost companions HIP 29442 $c$ HIP 29442 $d$, the model supports an Earth-like composition.

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arXiv2023

Refining the properties of the TOI-178 system with CHEOPS and TESS

The TOI-178 system consists of a nearby late K-dwarf transited by six planets in the super-Earth to mini-Neptune regime, with orbital periods between 1.9 and 20.7 days. All planets but the innermost one form a chain of Laplace resonances. Mass estimates derived from a preliminary radial velocity (RV) dataset suggest that the planetary densities do not decrease in a monotonic way with the orbital distance to the star, contrary to what one would expect based on simple formation and evolution models. To improve the characterisation of this key system and prepare for future studies (in particular with JWST), we perform a detailed photometric study based on 40 new CHEOPS visits, one new TESS sector, as well as previously published CHEOPS, TESS, and NGTS data. First we perform a global analysis of the 100 transits contained in our data to refine the transit parameters of the six planets and study their transit timing variations (TTVs). We then use our extensive dataset to place constraints on the radii and orbital periods of potential additional transiting planets in the system. Our analysis significantly refines the transit parameters of the six planets, most notably their radii, for which we now obtain relative precisions $\lesssim$3%, with the exception of the smallest planet $b$ for which the precision is 5.1%. Combined with the RV mass estimates, the measured TTVs allow us to constrain the eccentricities of planets $c$ to $g$, which are found to be all below 0.02, as expected from stability requirements. Taken alone, the TTVs also suggest a higher mass for planet $d$ than the one estimated from the RVs, which had been found to yield a surprisingly low density for this planet. However, the masses derived from the current TTV dataset are very prior-dependent and further observations, over a longer temporal baseline, are needed to deepen our understanding of this iconic planetary system.

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arXiv2023

CHEOPS and TESS view of the ultra-short period super-Earth TOI-561 b

Ultra-short period planets (USPs) are a unique class of super-Earths with an orbital period of less than a day and hence subject to intense radiation from their host star. While most of them are consistent with bare rocks, some show evidence of a heavyweight envelope, which could be a water layer or a secondary metal-rich atmosphere sustained by an outgassing surface. Much remains to be learned about the nature of USPs. The prime goal of the present work is to study the bulk planetary properties and atmosphere of TOI-561b, through the study of its transits and occultations. We obtained ultra-precise transit photometry of TOI-561b with CHEOPS and performed a joint analysis of this data with four TESS sectors. Our analysis of TOI-561b transit photometry put strong constraints on its properties, especially on its radius, Rp=1.42 +/- 0.02 R_Earth (at ~2% error). The internal structure modelling of the planet shows that the observations are consistent with negligible H/He atmosphere, however requiring other lighter materials, in addition to pure iron core and silicate mantle to explain the observed density. We find that this can be explained by the inclusion of a water layer in our model. We searched for variability in the measured Rp/R* over time to trace changes in the structure of the planetary envelope but none found within the data precision. In addition to the transit event, we tentatively detect occultation signal in the TESS data with an eclipse depth of ~27 +/- 11 ppm. Using the models of outgassed atmospheres from the literature we find that the thermal emission from the planet can mostly explain the observation. Based on this, we predict that NIR/MIR observations with JWST should be able to detect silicate species in the atmosphere of the planet. This could also reveal important clues about the planetary interior and help disentangle planet formation and evolution models.

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arXiv2023

Investigating the visible phase-curve variability of 55 Cnc e

55 Cnc e is an ultra-short period super-Earth transiting a Sun-like star. Previous observations in the optical range detected a time-variable flux modulation that is phased with the planetary orbital period, whose amplitude is too large to be explained by reflected light and thermal emission alone. The goal of the study is to investigate the origin of the variability and timescale of the phase-curve modulation in 55 Cnc e. To this end, we used the CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite (CHEOPS), whose exquisite photometric precision provides an opportunity to characterise minute changes in the phase curve from one orbit to the next. CHEOPS observed 29 individual visits of 55 Cnc e between March 2020 and February 2022. Based on these observations, we investigated the different processes that could be at the origin of the observed modulation. In particular, we built a toy model to assess whether a circumstellar torus of dust driven by radiation pressure and gravity might match the observed flux variability timescale. We find that the phase-curve amplitude and peak offset of 55 Cnc e do vary between visits. The sublimation timescales of selected dust species reveal that silicates expected in an Earth-like mantle would not survive long enough to explain the observed phase-curve modulation. We find that silicon carbide, quartz, and graphite are plausible candidates for the circumstellar torus composition because their sublimation timescales are long. The extensive CHEOPS observations confirm that the phase-curve amplitude and offset vary in time.We find that dust could provide the grey opacity source required to match the observations. However, the data at hand do not provide evidence that circumstellar material with a variable grain mass per unit area causes the observed variability. Future observations with the James Webb Space Telescope promise exciting insights into this iconic super-Earth.

astro-ph.EP↗