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R. P. Stefanik

Publications and source records attributed to R. P. Stefanik.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

HD 285507b: An Eccentric Hot Jupiter in the Hyades Open Cluster

We report the discovery of the first hot Jupiter in the Hyades open cluster. HD 285507b orbits a V=10.47 K4.5V dwarf ($M_* = 0.734 M_\odot$; $R_* = 0.656 R_\odot$) in a slightly eccentric ($e = 0.086^{+0.018}_{-0.019}$) orbit with a period of $6.0881^{+0.0019}_{-0.0018}$ days. The induced stellar radial velocity corresponds to a minimum companion mass of $M_{\rm p} \sin{i} = 0.917 \pm 0.033 M_{\rm Jup}$. Line bisector spans and stellar activity measures show no correlation with orbital phase, and the radial velocity amplitude is independent of wavelength, supporting the conclusion that the variations are caused by a planetary companion. Follow-up photometry indicates with high confidence that the planet does not transit. HD 285507b joins a small but growing list of planets in open clusters, and its existence lends support to a planet formation scenario in which a high stellar space density does not inhibit giant planet formation and migration. We calculate the circularization timescale for HD 285507b to be larger than the age of the Hyades, which may indicate that this planet's non-zero eccentricity is the result of migration via interactions with a third body. We also demonstrate a significant difference between the eccentricity distributions of hot Jupiters that have had time to tidally circularize and those that have not, which we interpret as evidence against Type II migration in the final stages of hot Jupiter formation. Finally, the dependence of the circularization timescale on the planetary tidal quality factor, $Q_{\rm p}$, allows us to constrain the average value for hot Jupiters to be $\log{Q_{\rm p}} = 6.14^{+0.41}_{-0.25}$.

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Direct Ultraviolet Imaging and Spectroscopy of Betelgeuse

Direct images of Betelgeuse were obtained over a span of 4 years with the Faint Object Camera on the Hubble Space Telescope. These images reveal the extended ultraviolet continuum emission (about 2 times the optical diameter), the varying overall ultraviolet flux levels and a pattern of bright surface continuum features that change in position and appearance over several months or less. Concurrent photometry and radial velocity measures support the model of a pulsating star, first discovered in the ultraviolet from IUE. Spatially resolved HST spectroscopy reveals a larger extention in chromospheric emissions of Mg II as well as the rotation of the supergiant. Changing localized subsonic flows occur in the low chromosphere that can cover a substantial fraction of the stellar disk and may initiate the mass outflow.

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Two 'b's in the Beehive: The Discovery of the First Hot Jupiters in an Open Cluster

We present the discovery of two giant planets orbiting stars in Praesepe (also known as the Beehive Cluster). These are the first known hot Jupiters in an open cluster and the only planets known to orbit Sun-like, main-sequence stars in a cluster. The planets are detected from Doppler shifted radial velocities; line bisector spans and activity indices show no correlation with orbital phase, confirming the variations are caused by planetary companions. Pr0201b orbits a V=10.52 late F dwarf with a period of 4.4264 +/- 0.0070 days and has a minimum mass of 0.540 +/- 0.039 Mjup, and Pr0211b orbits a V=12.06 late G dwarf with a period of 2.1451 +/- 0.0012 days and has a minimum mass of 1.844 +/- 0.064 Mjup. The detection of 2 planets among 53 single members surveyed establishes a lower limit on the hot Jupiter frequency of 3.8 (+5.0)(-2.4) % in this metal-rich open cluster. Given the precisely known age of the cluster, this discovery also demonstrates that, in at least 2 cases, giant planet migration occurred within 600 Myr after formation. As we endeavor to learn more about the frequency and formation history of planets, environments with well-determined properties -- such as open clusters like Praesepe -- may provide essential clues to this end.

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HAT-P-39b--HAT-P-41b: Three Highly Inflated Transiting Hot Jupiters

We report the discovery of three new transiting extrasolar planets orbiting moderately bright (V=11.1 to 12.4) F stars. The planets have periods of P = 2.6940 d to 4.4572 d, masses of 0.60 M_J to 0.80 M_J, and radii of 1.57 R_J to 1.73 R_J. They orbit stars with masses between 1.40 M_sun and 1.51 M_sun. The three planets are members of an emerging population of highly inflated Jupiters with 0.4 M_J < M < 1.5 M_J and R > 1.5 R_J.

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HAT-P-34b -- HAT-P-37b: Four Transiting Planets More Massive Than Jupiter Orbiting Moderately Bright Stars

We report the discovery of four transiting extrasolar planets (HAT-P-34b - HAT-P-37b) with masses ranging from 1.05 to 3.33 MJ and periods from 1.33 to 5.45 days. These planets orbit relatively bright F and G dwarf stars (from V = 10.16 to V = 13.2). Of particular interest is HAT-P-34b which is moderately massive (3.33 MJ), has a high eccentricity of e = 0.441 +/- 0.032 at P = 5.4526540+/-0.000016 d period, and shows hints of an outer component. The other three planets have properties that are typical of hot Jupiters.

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Absolute dimensions of eclipsing binaries. XXIX. The Am-type systems SW Canis Majoris and HW Canis Majoris

CONTEXT: Accurate physical properties of eclipsing stars provide important constraints on models of stellar structure and evolution, especially when combined with spectroscopic information on their chemical composition. Empirical calibrations of the data also lead to accurate mass and radius estimates for exoplanet host stars. Finally, accurate data for unusual stellar subtypes, such as Am stars, also help to unravel the cause(s) of their peculiarities. AIMS: We aim to determine the masses, radii, effective temperatures, detailed chemical composition and rotational speeds for the Am-type eclipsing binaries SW CMa (A4-5m) and HW CMa (A6m) and compare them with similar normal stars. METHODS: Accurate radial velocities from the Digital Speedometers of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics were combined with previously published uvby photometry to determine precise physical parameters for the four stars. A detailed abundance analysis was performed from high-resolution spectra obtained with the Nordic Optical Telescope (La Palma). RESULTS: We find the masses of the (relatively evolved) stars in SW CMa to be 2.10 and 2.24 solar masses, with radii of 2.50 and 3.01 solar radii, while the (essentially zero-age) stars in HW CMa have masses of 1.72 and 1.78 solar masses, radii of 1.64 and 1.66 solar radii -- all with errors well below 2%. Detailed atmospheric abundances for one or both components were determined for 14 elements in SW CMa ([Fe/H] = +0.49/+0.61 dex) and 16 in HW CMa ([Fe/H] = +0.33/+0.32 dex); both abundance patterns are characteristic of metallic-line stars. Both systems are well fit by current stellar evolution models for assumed bulk abundances of [Fe/H] = +0.05 and +0.23, respectively ([alpha/Fe] = 0.0), and ages of about 700 Myr and 160 Myr.

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HAT-P-32b and HAT-P-33b: Two Highly Inflated Hot Jupiters Transiting High-Jitter Stars

We report the discovery of two exoplanets transiting high-jitter stars. HAT-P-32b orbits the bright V=11.289 star GSC 3281-00800, with a period P = 2.150008 d. The stellar and planetary masses and radii depend on the eccentricity of the system, which is poorly constrained due to the high velocity jitter (~80m/s). Assuming a circular orbit, the star has a mass of 1.16+-0.04 M_sun, and radius of 1.22+-0.02 R_sun, while the planet has a mass of 0.860+-0.164 MJ, and a radius of 1.789+-0.025 RJ. When the eccentricity is allowed to vary, the best-fit model results in a planet which is close to filling its Roche Lobe. Including the constraint that the planet cannot exceed its Roche Lobe results in the following best-fit parameters: e = 0.163+-0.061, Mp = 0.94+-0.17 MJ, Rp = 2.04+-0.10 RJ, Ms = 1.18+0.04-0.07 M_sun and Rs = 1.39+-0.07 R_sun. The second planet, HAT-P-33b, orbits the bright V=11.188 star GSC 2461-00988, with a period P = 3.474474 d. As for HAT-P-32, the stellar and planetary masses and radii of HAT-P-33 depend on the eccentricity, which is poorly constrained due to the high jitter (~50m/s). In this case spectral line bisector spans are significantly anti-correlated with the radial velocity residuals, and we use this correlation to reduce the residual rms to ~35m/s. We find the star has a mass of either 1.38+-0.04 M_sun or 1.40+-0.10 M_sun, and a radius of either 1.64+-0.03 R_sun or 1.78+-0.28 R_sun, while the planet has a mass of either 0.762+-0.101 MJ or 0.763+-0.117 MJ, and a radius of either 1.686+-0.045 RJ or 1.827+-0.290 RJ, for an assumed circular orbit or for the best-fit eccentric orbit respectively. Due to the large bisector span variations exhibited by both stars we rely on detailed modeling of the photometric light curves to rule out blend scenarios. Both planets are among the largest radii transiting planets discovered to date.

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HAT-P-28b and HAT-P-29b: Two Sub-Jupiter Mass Transiting Planets

We present the discovery of two transiting exoplanets. HAT-P-28b orbits a V=13.03 G3 dwarf star with a period P = 3.2572 d and has a mass of 0.63 +- 0.04 MJ and a radius of 1.21 + 0.11 -0.08 RJ yielding a mean density of 0.44 +- 0.09 g cm-3. HAT-P-29b orbits a V=11.90 F8 dwarf star with a period P = 5.7232 d and has a mass of 0.78 +0.08 -0.04 MJ and a radius of 1.11 +0.14 -0.08 RJ yielding a mean density of 0.71 +- 0.18 g cm-3. We discuss the properties of these planets in the context of other known transiting planets.

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HAT-P-30b: A transiting hot Jupiter on a highly oblique orbit

We report the discovery of HAT-P-30b, a transiting exoplanet orbiting the V=10.419 dwarf star GSC 0208-00722. The planet has a period P=2.810595+/-0.000005 d, transit epoch Tc = 2455456.46561+/-0.00037 (BJD), and transit duration 0.0887+/-0.0015 d. The host star has a mass of 1.24+/-0.04 Msun, radius of 1.21+/-0.05 Rsun, effective temperature 6304+/-88 K, and metallicity [Fe/H] = +0.13+/-0.08. The planetary companion has a mass of 0.711+/-0.028 Mjup, and radius of 1.340+/-0.065 Rjup yielding a mean density of 0.37+/-0.05 g cm^-3. We also present radial velocity measurements that were obtained throughout a transit that exhibit the Rossiter-McLaughlin effect. By modeling this effect we measure an angle of λ= 73.5+/-9.0 deg between the sky projections of the planet's orbit normal and the star's spin axis. HAT-P-30b represents another example of a close-in planet on a highly tilted orbit, and conforms to the previously noted pattern that tilted orbits are more common around stars with Teff > 6250 K.

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Qatar-1b: a hot Jupiter orbiting a metal-rich K dwarf star

We report the discovery and initial characterisation of Qatar-1b, a hot Jupiter orbiting a metal-rich K dwarf star, the first planet discovered by the Alsubai Project exoplanet transit survey. We describe the strategy used to select candidate transiting planets from photometry generated by the Alsubai Project instrument. We examine the rate of astrophysical and other false positives found during the spectroscopic reconnaissance of the initial batch of candidates. A simultaneous fit to the follow-up radial velocities and photometry of Qatar-1b yield a planetary mass of 1.09+/-0.08 Mjup and a radius of 1.16+/-0.05 Rjup. The orbital period and separation are 1.420033 days and 0.0234 AU for an orbit assumed to be circular. The stellar density, effective temperature and rotation rate indicate an age greater than 4 Gyr for the system.

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HAT-P-18b and HAT-P-19b: Two Low-Density Saturn-Mass Planets Transiting Metal-Rich K Stars

We report the discovery of two new transiting extrasolar planets. HAT-P-18b orbits the V=12.759 K2 dwarf star GSC 2594-00646, with a period P=5.508023+-0.000006 d, transit epoch Tc=2454715.02174+-0.00020 (BJD), and transit duration 0.1131+-0.0009 d. The host star has a mass of 0.77+-0.03 Msun, radius of 0.75+-0.04 Rsun, effective temperature 4803+-80 K, and metallicity [Fe/H]=+0.10+-0.08. The planetary companion has a mass of 0.197+-0.013 Mjup, and radius of 0.995+-0.052 Rjup yielding a mean density of 0.25+-0.04 g cm-3. HAT-P-19b orbits the V=12.901 K1 dwarf star GSC 2283-00589, with a period P=4.008778+-0.000006 d, transit epoch Tc=2455091.53417+-0.00034 (BJD), and transit duration 0.1182+-0.0014 d. The host star has a mass of 0.84+-0.04 Msun, radius of 0.82+-0.05 Rsun, effective temperature 4990+-130 K, and metallicity [Fe/H]=+0.23+-0.08. The planetary companion has a mass of 0.292+-0.018 Mjup, and radius of 1.132+-0.072 Rjup yielding a mean density of 0.25+-0.04 g cm-3. The radial velocity residuals for HAT-P-19 exhibit a linear trend in time, which indicates the presence of a third body in the system. Comparing these observations with theoretical models, we find that HAT-P-18b and HAT-P-19b are each consistent with a hydrogen-helium dominated gas giant planet with negligible core mass. HAT-P-18b and HAT-P-19b join HAT-P-12b and WASP-21b in an emerging group of low-density Saturn-mass planets, with negligible inferred core masses. However, unlike HAT-P-12b and WASP-21b, both HAT-P-18b and HAT-P-19b orbit stars with super-solar metallicity. This calls into question the heretofore suggestive correlation between the inferred core mass and host star metallicity for Saturn-mass planets.

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HAT-P-24b: An inflated hot-Jupiter on a 3.36d period transiting a hot, metal-poor star

We report the discovery of HAT-P-24b, a transiting extrasolar planet orbiting the moderately bright V=11.818 F8 dwarf star GSC 0774-01441, with a period P = 3.3552464 +/- 0.0000071 d, transit epoch Tc = 2455216.97669 +/- 0.00024 (BJD_UTC), and transit duration 3.653 +/- 0.025 hours. The host star has a mass of 1.191 +/- 0.042 Msun, radius of 1.317 +/- 0.068 Rsun, effective temperature 6373 +/- 80 K, and a low metallicity of [Fe/H] = -0.16 +/- 0.08. The planetary companion has a mass of 0.681 +/- 0.031 MJ, and radius of 1.243 +/- 0.072 RJ yielding a mean density of 0.439 +/- 0.069 g cm-3 . By repeating our global fits with different parameter sets, we have performed a critical investigation of the fitting techniques used for previous HAT planetary discoveries. We find that the system properties are robust against the choice of priors. The effects of fixed versus fitted limb darkening are also examined. HAT-P-24b probably maintains a small eccentricity of e = 0.052 +0.022 -0.017, which is accepted over the circular orbit model with false alarm probability 5.8%. In the absence of eccentricity pumping, this result suggests HAT-P-24b experiences less tidal dissipation than Jupiter. Due to relatively rapid stellar rotation, we estimate that HAT-P-24b should exhibit one of the largest known Rossiter-McLaughlin effect amplitudes for an exoplanet (deltaVRM ~ 95 m/s) and thus a precise measurement of the sky-projected spin-orbit alignment should be possible.

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HAT-P-26b: A Low-Density Neptune-Mass Planet Transiting a K Star

We report the discovery of HAT-P-26b, a transiting extrasolar planet orbiting the moderately bright V=11.744 K1 dwarf star GSC 0320-01027, with a period P = 4.234516 +- 0.000015 d, transit epoch Tc = 2455304.65122 +- 0.00035 (BJD), and transit duration 0.1023 +- 0.0010 d. The host star has a mass of 0.82 +- 0.03 Msun, radius of 0.79 + 0.10 - 0.04 Rsun, effective temperature 5079 +- 88 K, and metallicity [Fe/H] = -0.04 +- 0.08. The planetary companion has a mass of 0.059 +- 0.007 MJ, and radius of 0.565 + 0.072 - 0.032 RJ yielding a mean density of 0.40 +- 0.10 g cm-3. HAT-P-26b is the fourth Neptune-mass transiting planet discovered to date. It has a mass that is comparable to those of Neptune and Uranus, and slightly smaller than those of the other transiting Super-Neptunes, but a radius that is ~65% larger than those of Neptune and Uranus, and also larger than those of the other transiting Super-Neptunes. HAT-P-26b is consistent with theoretical models of an irradiated Neptune-mass planet with a 10 Mearth heavy element core that comprises >~ 50% of its mass with the remainder contained in a significant hydrogen-helium envelope, though the exact composition is uncertain as there are significant differences between various theoretical models at the Neptune-mass regime. The equatorial declination of the star makes it easily accessible to both Northern and Southern ground-based facilities for follow-up observations.

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HAT-P-17b,c: A Transiting, Eccentric, Hot Saturn and a Long-period, Cold Jupiter

We report the discovery of HAT-P-17b,c, a multi-planet system with an inner transiting planet in a short-period, eccentric orbit and an outer planet in a 4.8 yr, nearly circular orbit. The inner planet, HAT-P-17b, transits the bright V = 10.54 early K dwarf star GSC 2717-00417, with an orbital period P = 10.338523 +/- 0.000009 d, orbital eccentricity e = 0.346 +/- 0.007, transit epoch T_c = 2454801.16945 +/- 0.00020, and transit duration 0.1691 +/- 0.0009 d. HAT-P-17b has a mass of 0.530 +/- 0.018 M_J and radius of 1.010 +/- 0.029 R_J yielding a mean density of 0.64 +/- 0.05 g cm^-3. This planet has a relatively low equilibrium temperature in the range 780-927 K, making it an attractive target for follow-up spectroscopic studies. The outer planet, HAT-P-17c, has a significantly longer orbital period P_2 = 1797^+58_-89 d and a minimum mass m_2 sin i_2 = 1.4^+1.1_-0.4 M_J. The orbital inclination of HAT-P-17c is unknown as transits have not been observed and may not be present. The host star has a mass of 0.86 +/- 0.04 M_Sun, radius of 0.84 +/- 0.02, effective temperature 5246 +/- 80 K, and metallicity [Fe/H] = 0.00 +/- 0.08. HAT-P-17 is the second multi-planet system detected from ground-based transit surveys.

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HAT-P-25b: a Hot-Jupiter Transiting a Moderately Faint G Star

We report the discovery of HAT-P-25b, a transiting extrasolar planet orbiting the V = 13.19 G5 dwarf star GSC 1788-01237, with a period P = 3.652836 +/- 0.000019 days, transit epoch Tc = 2455176.85173 +/- 0.00047 (BJD), and transit duration 0.1174 +/- 0.0017 days. The host star has mass of 1.01 +/- 0.03 M(Sun), radius of 0.96 +(0.05)-(0.04) R(Sun), effective temperature 5500 +/- 80 K, and metallicity [Fe/H] = +0.31 +/- 0.08. The planetary companion has a mass of 0.567 +/- 0.022 M(Jup), and radius of 1.190 +(0.081)-(0.056) R(Jup) yielding a mean density of 0.42 +/- 0.07 g cm-3. Comparing these observations with recent theoretical models, we find that HAT-P-25b is consistent with a hydrogen-helium dominated gas giant planet with negligible core mass and age 3.2 +/- 2.3 Gyr. The properties of HAT-P-25b support several previously observed correlations for planets in the mass range 0.4 < M < 0.7 M(Jup), including those of core mass vs. metallicity, planet radius vs. equilibrium temperature, and orbital period vs. planet mass. We also note that HAT-P-25b orbits the faintest star found by HATNet to have a transiting planet to date, and is one of only a very few number of planets discovered from the ground orbiting a star fainter than V = 13.0.

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HAT-P-20b--HAT-P-23b: Four Massive Transiting Extrasolar Planets

We report the discovery of four relatively massive (2-7MJ) transiting extrasolar planets. HAT-P-20b orbits a V=11.339 K3 dwarf star with a period P=2.875317+/-0.000004d. The host star has a mass of 0.760+/-0.03 Msun, radius of 0.690+/-0.02 Rsun, Teff=4595+/-80 K, and metallicity [Fe/H]=+0.35+/-0.08. HAT-P-20b has a mass of 7.246+/-0.187 MJ, and radius of 0.867+/-0.033 RJ yielding a mean density of 13.78+/-1.50 gcm^-3 , which is the second highest value among all known exoplanets. HAT-P-21b orbits a V=11.685 G3 dwarf on an eccentric (e=0.2280+/-0.016) orbit, with a period of P=4.1244810+/-000007d. The host star has a mass of 0.95+/-0.04Msun, radius of 1.10+/-0.08Rsun, Teff=5588+/-80K, and [Fe/H]=+0.01+/-0.08. HAT-P-21b has a mass of 4.063+/-0.161MJ, and radius of 1.024+/-0.092RJ. HAT-P-22b orbits the V=9.732 G5 dwarf HD233731, with P=3.2122200+/-0.000009d. The host star has a mass of 0.92+/-0.03Msun, radius of 1.04+/-0.04Rsun, Teff=5302+/-80K, and metallicity of +0.24+/-0.08. The planet has a mass of 2.147+/-0.061 MJ, and compact radius of 1.080+/-0.058RJ. The host star also harbors an M-dwarf companion at a wide separation. Finally, HAT-P-23b orbits a V=12.432 G0 dwarf star, with a period P=1.212884+/-0.000002d. The host star has a mass of 1.13+/-0.04sun, radius of 1.20+/-0.07Rsun, Teff=5905+/-80K, and [Fe/H]=+0.15+/-0.04. The planetary companion has a mass of 2.090+/-0.111MJ, and radius of 1.368+/-0.090RJ (abridged).

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HAT-P-15b: A 10.9-day Extrasolar Planet Transiting a Solar-type Star

We report the discovery of HAT-P-15b, a transiting extrasolar planet in the `period valley', a relatively sparsely-populated period regime of the known extrasolar planets. The host star, GSC 2883-01687, is a G5 dwarf with V=12.16. It has a mass of 1.01+/-0.04 M(Sun), radius of 1.08+/-0.04 R(Sun), effective temperature 5568+/-90 K, and metallicity [Fe/H] = +0.22+/-0.08. The planetary companion orbits the star with a period 10.863502+/-0.000027 days, transit epoch Tc = 2454638.56019+/-0.00048 (BJD), and transit duration 0.2285+/-0.0015 days. It has a mass of 1.946+/-0.066 M(Jup), and radius of 1.072+/-0.043 R(Jup) yielding a mean density of 1.96+/-0.22 g/cm3. At an age of 6.8+/-2.1 Gyr, the planet is H/He-dominated and theoretical models require about 2% (10 M(Earth)) worth of heavy elements to reproduce its measured radius. With an estimated equilibrium temperature of 820 K during transit, and 1000 K at occultation, HAT-P-15b is a potential candidate to study moderately cool planetary atmospheres by transmission and occultation spectroscopy.

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HAT-P-16b: A 4 Mj Planet Transiting A Bright Star On An Eccentric Orbit

We report the discovery of HAT-P-16b, a transiting extrasolar planet orbiting the V = 10.8 mag F8 dwarf GSC 2792-01700, with a period P = 2.775960 +- 0.000003 d, transit epoch Tc = 2455027.59293 +- 0.00031 (BJD), and transit duration 0.1276 +- 0.0013 d. The host star has a mass of 1.22 +- 0.04 Msun, radius of 1.24 +- 0.05 Rsun, effective temperature 6158 +-80 K, and metallicity [Fe/H] = +0.17 +- 0.08. The planetary companion has a mass of 4.193 +- 0.094 MJ, and radius of 1.289 +- 0.066 RJ yielding a mean density of 2.42 +- 0.35 g/cm3. Comparing these observed characteristics with recent theoretical models, we find that HAT-P-16b is consistent with a 1 Gyr H/He-dominated gas giant planet. HAT-P-16b resides in a sparsely populated region of the mass{radius diagram and has a non-zero eccentricity of e = 0.036 with a significance of 10 sigma.

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