arXiv subjects

R. P. Stefanik

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

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2010

HAT-P-14b: A 2.2 Jupiter-mass exoplanet transiting a bright F star

We report the discovery of HAT-P-14b, a fairly massive transiting extrasolar planet orbiting the moderately bright star GSC 3086-00152 (V = 9.98), with a period of P = 4.627669 +/- 0.000005 days. The transit is close to grazing (impact parameter 0.891 +0.007/-0.008) and has a duration of 0.0912 +/- 0.0017 days, with a reference epoch of mid transit of Tc = 2454875.28938 +/- 0.00047 (BJD). The orbit is slightly eccentric (e = 0.107 +/- 0.013), and the orientation is such that occultations are unlikely to occur. The host star is a slightly evolved mid-F dwarf with a mass of 1.386 +/- 0.045 M(Sun), a radius of 1.468 +/- 0.054 R(Sun) effective temperature 6600 +/- 90 K, and a slightly metal-rich composition corresponding to [Fe/H] = +0.11 +/- 0.08. The planet has a mass of 2.232 +/- 0.059 M(Jup) and a radius of 1.150 +/- 0.052 R(Jup), implying a mean density of 1.82 +/- 0.24 g/cm3. Its radius is well reproduced by theoretical models for the 1.3 Gyr age of the system if the planet has a heavy-element fraction of about 50 M(Earth) (7% of its total mass). The brightness, near-grazing orientation, and other properties of HAT-P-14 make it a favorable transiting system to look for changes in the orbital elements or transit timing variations induced by a possible second planet, and also to place meaningful constraints on the presence of sub-Earth mass or Earth mass exomoons, by monitoring it for transit duration variations.

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arXiv2009

HAT-P-11b: A Super-Neptune Planet Transiting a Bright K Star in the Kepler Field

We report on the discovery of HAT-P-11b, the smallest radius transiting extrasolar planet (TEP) discovered from the ground, and the first hot Neptune discovered to date by transit searches. HAT-P-11b orbits the bright (V=9.587) and metal rich ([Fe=H] = +0.31 +/- 0.05) K4 dwarf star GSC 03561-02092 with P = 4.8878162 +/- 0.0000071 days and produces a transit signal with depth of 4.2 mmag. We present a global analysis of the available photometric and radial-velocity data that result in stellar and planetary parameters, with simultaneous treatment of systematic variations. The planet, like its near-twin GJ 436b, is somewhat larger than Neptune (17Mearth, 3.8Rearth) both in mass Mp = 0.081 +/- 0.009 MJ (25.8 +/- 2.9 Mearth) and radius Rp = 0.422 +/- 0.014 RJ (4.73 +/- 0.16 Rearth). HAT-P-11b orbits in an eccentric orbit with e = 0.198 +/- 0.046 and omega = 355.2 +/- 17.3, causing a reflex motion of its parent star with amplitude 11.6 +/- 1.2 m/s, a challenging detection due to the high level of chromospheric activity of the parent star. Our ephemeris for the transit events is Tc = 2454605.89132 +/- 0.00032 (BJD), with duration 0.0957 +/- 0.0012 d, and secondary eclipse epoch of 2454608.96 +/- 0.15 d (BJD). The basic stellar parameters of the host star are M* = 0.809+0.020-0.027 Msun, R* = 0.752 +/- 0.021 Rsun and Teff = 4780 +/- 50 K. Importantly, HAT-P-11 will lie on one of the detectors of the forthcoming Kepler mission. We discuss an interesting constraint on the eccentricity of the system by the transit light curve and stellar parameters. We also present a blend analysis, that for the first time treats the case of a blended transiting hot Jupiter mimicing a transiting hot Neptune, and proves that HAT-P-11b is not such a blend.

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arXiv2009

HAT-P-12b: A Low-Density Sub-Saturn Mass Planet Transiting a Metal-Poor K Dwarf

We report on the discovery of HAT-P-12b, a transiting extrasolar planet orbiting the moderately bright V=12.8 K4 dwarf GSC 03033-00706, with a period P = 3.2130598 +- 0.0000021 d, transit epoch Tc = 2454419.19556 +- 0.00020 (BJD) and transit duration 0.0974 +- 0.0006 d. The host star has a mass of 0.73 +- 0.02 Msun, radius of 0.70 +- ^0.02_0.01 Rsun, effective temperature 4650 +- 60 K and metallicity [Fe/H] = -0.29 +- 0.05. We find a slight correlation between the observed spectral line bisector spans and the radial velocity, so we consider, and rule out, various blend configurations including a blend with a background eclipsing binary, and hierarchical triple systems where the eclipsing body is a star or a planet. We conclude that a model consisting of a single star with a transiting planet best fits the observations, and show that a likely explanation for the apparent correlation is contamination from scattered moonlight. Based on this model, the planetary companion has a mass of 0.211 +- 0.012 MJup, and a radius of 0.959 +- ^0.029_0.021 RJup yielding a mean density of 0.295 +- 0.025 g cm^-3. Comparing these observations with recent theoretical models we find that HAT-P-12b is consistent with a ~ 1-4.5 Gyr, mildly irradiated, H/He dominated planet with a core mass Mc <~ 10 Mearth. HAT-P-12b is thus the least massive H/He dominated gas giant planet found to date. This record was previously held by Saturn.

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arXiv2009

HAT-P-13b,c: a transiting hot Jupiter with a massive outer companion on an eccentric orbit

We report on the discovery of a planetary system with a close-in transiting hot Jupiter on a near circular orbit and a massive outer planet on a highly eccentric orbit. The inner planet, HAT-P-13b, transits the bright V=10.622 G4 dwarf star GSC 3416-00543 every P = 2.916260 \pm 0.000010 days, with transit epoch Tc = 2454779.92979 \pm 0.00038 (BJD) and duration 0.1345 \pm 0.0017 d. The outer planet, HAT-P-13c orbits the star with P2 = 428.5 \pm 3.0 days and nominal transit center (assuming zero impact parameter) of T2c = 2454870.4 \pm 1.8 (BJD) or time of periastron passage T2,peri= 2454890.05 \pm 0.48 (BJD). Transits of the outer planet have not been observed, and may not be present. The host star has a mass of 1.22 \pm ^0.05_0.10 Msun, radius of 1.56 \pm 0.08 Rsun, effective temperature 5653 \pm 90 K, and is rather metal rich with [Fe=H] = +0.41 \pm 0.08. The inner planetary companion has a mass of 0.853\pm ^0.029_-0.046MJup, and radius of 1.281 \pm 0.079 RJup yielding a mean density of 0.498\pm +0.103_-0.069 gcm^-3. The outer companion has m2 sini2 = 15.2 \pm 1.0 MJup, and orbits on a highly eccentric orbit of e2 = 0.691 \pm 0.018. While we have not detected significant transit timing variations of HAT-P-13b, due to gravitational and light-travel time effects, future observations will constrain the orbital inclination of HAT-P-13c, along with its mutual inclination to HAT-P-13b. The HAT-P-13 (b,c) double-planet system may prove extremely valuable for theoretical studies of the formation and dynamics of planetary systems.

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arXiv2009

Independent confirmation and refined parameters of the hot Jupiter XO-5b

We present HATNet observations of XO-5b, confirming its planetary nature based on evidence beyond that described in the announcement of Burke et al. (2008), namely, the lack of significant correlation between spectral bisector variations and orbital phase. In addition, using extensive spectroscopic measurements spanning multiple seasons, we investigate the relatively large scatter in the spectral line bisectors. We also examine possible blended stellar configurations (hierarchical triples, chance alignments) that can mimic the planet signals, and we are able to show that none are consistent with the sum of all the data. The analysis of the S activity index shows no significant stellar activity. Our results for the planet parameters are consistent with values in Burke et al. (2008), and we refine both the stellar and planetary parameters using our data. XO-5b orbits a slightly evolved, late G type star with mass M_s = 0.88 +/- 0.03, radius R_s = 1.08 +/- 0.04, and metallicity close to solar. The planetary mass and radius are M_p = 1.059 +/- 0.028 M_Jup and R_p = 1.109 +/- 0.050 R_Jup, respectively, corresponding to a mean density of 0.96 -0.11 +0.14 g/cm^3. The ephemeris for the orbit is P = 4.187757 +/- 0.000011, E= 2454552.67168 +/- 0.00029 (BJD) with transit duration of 0.1307 +/- 0.0013 d. By measuring four individual transit centers, we found no signs for transit timing variations. The planet XO-5b is notable for its anomalously high Safronov number, and has a high surface gravity when compared to other transiting exoplanets with similar period.

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arXiv2009

A Keck HIRES Doppler Search for Planets Orbiting Metal-Poor Dwarfs. II. On the Frequency of Giant Planets in the Metal-Poor Regime

We present an analysis of three years of precision radial velocity measurements of 160 metal-poor stars observed with HIRES on the Keck 1 telescope. We report on variability and long-term velocity trends for each star in our sample. We identify several long-term, low-amplitude radial-velocity variables worthy of follow-up with direct imaging techniques. We place lower limits on the detectable companion mass as a function of orbital period. Our survey would have detected, with a 99.5% confidence level, over 95% of all companions on low-eccentricity orbits with velocity semi-amplitude K > 100 m/s, or M_p*sin(i) > 3.0 M_JUP*(P/yr)^(1/3), for orbital periods P< 3 yr. None of the stars in our sample exhibits radial-velocity variations compatible with the presence of Jovian planets with periods shorter than the survey duration. The resulting average frequency of gas giants orbiting metal-poor dwarfs with -2.0 < [Fe/H] < -0.6 is f_p<0.67% (at the 1-sigma confidence level). We examine the implications of this null result in the context of the observed correlation between the rate of occurrence of giant planets and the metallicity of their main-sequence solar-type stellar hosts. By combining our dataset with the Fischer & Valenti (2005) uniform sample, we confirm that the likelihood of a star to harbor a planet more massive than Jupiter within 2 AU is a steeply rising function of the host's metallicity. However, the data for stars with -1.0 < [Fe/H] < 0.0 are compatible, in a statistical sense, with a constant occurrence rate f_p~1%. Our results can usefully inform theoretical studies of the process of giant planet formation across two orders of magnitude in metallicity.

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arXiv2008

HAT-P-10b: A light and moderately hot Jupiter transiting a K dwarf

We report on the discovery of HAT-P-10b, the lowest mass (0.46 +/- 0.03 MJ) transiting extrasolar planet (TEP) discovered to date by transit searches. HAT-P-10b orbits the moderately bright V=11.89 K dwarf GSC 02340-01714, with a period P = 3.7224690 +/- 0.0000067 d, transit epoch Tc = 2454729.90631 +/- 0.00030 (BJD) and duration 0.1100 +/- 0.0015 d. HAT-P-10b has a radius of 1.05 +(0.05)-(0.03) RJ yielding a mean density of 0.498+/-0.064 g cm^-3 . Comparing these observations with recent theoretical models we find that HAT-P-10 is consistent with a ~4.5 Gyr, coreless, pure hydrogen and helium gas giant planet. With an equilibrium temperature of Teq = 1030 +(26)-(19)K, HAT-P-10b is one of the coldest TEPs. Curiously, its Safronov number Theta = 0.047 +/- 0.003 falls close to the dividing line between the two suggested TEP populations.

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arXiv2008

Absolute dimensions of eclipsing binaries. XXVI. Setting a new standard: Masses, radii, and abundances for the F-type systems AD Bootis, VZ Hydrae, and WZ Ophiuchi

We determine absolute dimensions and abundances for the three F-type main-sequence detached eclipsing binaries AD Boo, VZ Hya, and WZ Oph and perform a detailed comparison with results from recent stellar evolutionary models. uvby light curves and standard photometry were obtained at ESO,radial velocity observations at CfA facilities, and high-resolution spectra with ESO's FEROS spectrograph. State-of-the-art methods were applied for the analyses. Masses and radii that are precise to 0.5-0.7% and 0.4-0.9%, respectively, have been established for the components, which span the ranges of 1.1 to 1.4 M_sun and 1.1 to 1.6 R_sun. The [Fe/H] abundances are from -0.27 to +0.10, with uncertainties between 0.07 and 0.15 dex. We find indications of a slight alpha-element overabundance of [alpha/Fe] ~ +0.1$ for WZ Oph. The secondary component of AD Boo and both components of WZ Oph appear to be slightly active. Yale-Yonsai and Victoria-Regina evolutionary models fit the components of AD Boo and VZ Hya almost equally well, assuming coeval formation, at ages of about 1.75/1.50 Gyr (AD Boo) and 1.25/1.00 Gyr (VZ Hya). BaSTI models, however, predict somewhat different ages for the primary and secondary components. For WZ Oph, the models from all three grids are significantly hotter than observed. A low He content, decreased envelope convection coupled with surface activity, and/or higher interstellar absorption would remove the discrepancy, but its cause has not been definitively identified. We have demonstrated the power of testing and comparing recent stellar evolutionary models using eclipsing binaries, provided their abundances are known. The strongest limitations and challenges are set by T_eff and interstellar absorption determinations, and by their effects on and correlation with abundance results.

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arXiv2007

Observational Tests of Planet Formation Models

We summarize the results of two experiments to address important issues related to the correlation between planet frequencies and properties and the metallicity of the hosts. Our results can usefully inform formation, structural, and evolutionary models of gas giant planets.

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arXiv2007

HAT-P-4b: A metal-rich low-density transiting hot Jupiter

We describe the discovery of HAT-P-4b, a low-density extrasolar planet transiting BD+36 2593, a V = 11.2 mag slightly evolved metal-rich late F star. The planet's orbital period is 3.056536+/-0.000057 d with a mid-transit epoch of 2,454,245.8154 +/- 0.0003 (HJD). Based on high-precision photometric and spectroscopic data, and by using transit light curve modeling, spectrum analysis and evolutionary models, we derive the following planet parameters: Mp= 0.68 +/- 0.04 MJ, Rp= 1.27 +/- 0.05 RJ, rho = 0.41 +/- 0.06 g cm-3 and a = 0.0446 +/- 0.0012 AU. Because of its relatively large radius, together with its assumed high metallicity of that of its parent star, this planet adds to the theoretical challenges to explain inflated extrasolar planets.

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arXiv2007

Line Broadening in Field Metal-poor Red Giant and Red Horizontal Branch Stars

We report 349 radial velocities for 45 metal-poor field red giant and red horizontal branch stars. We have have identified one new spectroscopic binary, HD 4306, and one possible such system, HD 184711. We also report 57 radial velocities for 11 of the 91 stars reported on previously by Carney et al. (2003). As was found in the previous study, radial velocity "jitter" is present in many of the most luminous stars. Excluding stars showing spectroscopic binary orbital motion, all 7 of the red giants with M(V) <= -2.0 display jitter, as well as 3 of the 14 stars with -2.0 <= M(V) <= -1.4. We have also measured line broadening in all of the new spectra, using synthetic spectra as templates. The most luminous red giants show significant line broadening, as do many of the red horizontal branch stars, and we discuss briefly possible causes.

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arXiv2007

HAT-P-3b: A heavy-element rich planet transiting a K dwarf star

We report the discovery of a Jupiter-size planet transiting a relatively bright (V = 11.56) and metal-rich early K dwarf star with a period of about 2.9 days. On the basis of follow-up photometry and spectroscopy we determine the mass and radius of the planet, HAT-P-3b, to be M_p = 0.599 +/- 0.026 M_Jup and R_p = 0.890 +/- 0.046 R_Jup. The relatively small size of the object for its mass implies the presence of about 75 Earth masses worth of heavy elements (1/3 of the total mass) based on current theories of irradiated extrasolar giant planets, similar to the mass of the core inferred for the transiting planet HD 149026b. The bulk density of HAT-P-3b is found to be rho_p = 1.06 +/- 0.17 g/cm^3, and the planet orbits the star at a distance of 0.03894 AU. Ephemerides for the transit centers are T_c = 2,454,218.7594 +/- 0.0029 + N (2.899703 +/- 0.000054) (HJD).

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arXiv2007

HD147506b: A Super-Massive Planet in an Eccentric Orbit Transiting a Bright Star

We report the discovery of a massive (Mp = 9.04+/-0.50 MJup) planet transiting the bright (V = 8.7) F8 star HD 147506, with an orbital period of 5.63341+/-0.00013 days and an eccentricity of e = 0.520+/-0.010. From the transit light curve we determine that the radius of the planet is Rp = 0.982^{+0.038}_{0.105}RJup. HD 147506b (also coined HAT-P-2b) has a mass about 9 times the average mass of previously-known transiting exoplanets, and a density of rho = 11.9 g cm-3, greater than that of rocky planets like the Earth. Its mass and radius are marginally consistent with theories of structure of massive giant planets composed of pure H and He, and may require a large (~100 Earth mass) core to account for. The high eccentricity causes a 9-fold variation of insolation of the planet between peri- and apastron. Using follow-up photometry, we find that the center of transit is Tmid = 2,454,212.8559 +/- 0.0007 (HJD), and the transit duration is 0.177 +/-0.002 d.

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arXiv2007

The Mass and Radius of the Unseen M-Dwarf Companion in the Single-Lined Eclipsing Binary HAT-TR-205-013

We derive masses and radii for both components in the single-lined eclipsing binary HAT-TR-205-013, which consists of a F7V primary and a late M-dwarf secondary. The system's period is short, $P=2.230736 \pm 0.000010$ days, with an orbit indistinguishable from circular, $e=0.012 \pm 0.021$. We demonstrate generally that the surface gravity of the secondary star in a single-lined binary undergoing total eclipses can be derived from characteristics of the light curve and spectroscopic orbit. This constrains the secondary to a unique line in the mass-radius diagram with $M/R^2$ = constant. For HAT-TR-205-013, we assume the orbit has been tidally circularized, and that the primary's rotation has been synchronized and aligned with the orbital axis. Our observed line broadening, $V_{\rm rot} \sin i_{\rm rot} = 28.9 \pm 1.0$ \kms, gives a primary radius of $R_{\rm A} = 1.28 \pm 0.04$ \rsun. Our light curve analysis leads to the radius of the secondary, $R_{\rm B} = 0.167 \pm 0.006$ \rsun, and the semimajor axis of the orbit, $a = 7.54 \pm 0.30 \rsun = 0.0351 \pm 0.0014$ AU. Our single-lined spectroscopic orbit and the semimajor axis then yield the individual masses, $M_{\rm B} = 0.124 \pm 0.010$ \msun and $M_{\rm A} = 1.04 \pm 0.13$ \msun. Our result for HAT-TR-205-013 B lies above the theoretical mass-radius models from the Lyon group, consistent with results from double-lined eclipsing binaries. The method we describe offers the opportunity to study the very low end of the stellar mass-radius relation.

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arXiv2007

Cross-correlation in four dimensions: Application to the quadruple-lined spectroscopic system HD 110555

We develop a technique to measure radial velocities of stars from spectra that present four sets of lines. The algorithm is an extension of the two-dimensional cross-correlation method TODCOR to four dimensions. It computes the correlation of the observed spectrum against a combination of four templates with all possible shifts, and allows also for the derivation of the light ratios of the components. After testing the algorithm and demonstrating its ability to measure Doppler shifts accurately even under conditions of heavy line blending, we apply it to the case of the quadruple-lined system HD 110555. The primary and secondary components of this previously known visual binary (separation about 0.4 arcsec) are each shown to be double-lined spectroscopic binaries with periods of 57 days and 76 days, respectively, making the system a hierarchical quadruple. The secondary in the 76-day subsystem contributes only 2.5% to the total light, illustrating the ability of the method to measure velocities of very faint components.

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arXiv2006

HAT-P-1b: A Large-Radius, Low-Density Exoplanet Transiting one Member of a Stellar Binary

Using small automated telescopes in Arizona and Hawaii, the HATNet project has detected an object transiting one member of the double star system ADS 16402 AB. This system is a pair of G0 main-sequence stars with age about 3 Gyr at a distance of ~139 pc and projected separation of ~1550 AU. The transit signal has a period of 4.46529 days and depth of 0.015 mag. From follow-up photometry and spectroscopy, we find that the object is a "hot Jupiter" planet with mass about 0.53 M_jup and radius ~1.36 R_jup traveling in an orbit with semimajor axis 0.055 AU and inclination about 85.9 deg, thus transiting the star at impact parameter 0.74 of the stellar radius. Based on a data set spanning three years, ephemerides for the transit center are: T_C = 2453984.397 + N_tr * 4.46529. The planet, designated HAT-P-1b, appears to be at least as large in radius, and smaller in mean density, than any previously-known planet.

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arXiv2006

A Keck/HIRES Doppler Search for Planets Orbiting Metal-Poor Dwarfs. I. Testing Giant Planet Formation and Migration Scenarios

We describe a high-precision Doppler search for giant planets orbiting a well-defined sample of metal-poor dwarfs in the field. This experiment constitutes a fundamental test of theoretical predictions which will help discriminate between proposed giant planet formation and migration models. We present here details on the survey as well as an overall assessment of the quality of our measurements, making use of the results for the stars that show no significant velocity variation.

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arXiv2006

Particle Dark Energy

We explore the physics of a gas of particles interacting with a condensate that spontaneously breaks Lorentz invariance. The equation of state of this gas varies from 1/3 to less than -1 and can lead to the observed cosmic acceleration. The particles are always stable. In our particular class of models these particles are fermions with a chiral coupling to the condensate. They may behave as relativistic matter at early times, produce a brief period where they dominate the expansion with w<0 today, and behave as matter at late time. There are no small parameters in our models, which generically lead to dark energy clustering and, depending on the choice of parameters, smoothing of small scale power.

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