arXiv subjects

Saul A. Rappaport

Publications and source records attributed to Saul A. Rappaport.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2022

A Population of Dipper Stars from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite Mission

Dipper stars are a classification of young stellar objects that exhibit dimming variability in their light curves, dropping in brightness by 10-50%, likely induced by occultations due to circumstellar disk material. This variability can be periodic, quasi-periodic, or aperiodic. Dipper stars have been discovered in young stellar associations via ground-based and space-based photometric surveys. We present the detection and characterization of the largest collection of dipper stars to date: 293 dipper stars, including 234 new dipper candidates. We have produced a catalog of these targets, which also includes young stellar variables that exhibit predominately bursting-like variability and symmetric variability (equal parts bursting and dipping). The total number of catalog sources is 414. These variable sources were found in a visual survey of TESS light curves, where dipping-like variability was observed. We found a typical age among our dipper sources of <5 Myr, with the age distribution peaking at ~2 Myr, and a tail of the distribution extending to ages older than 20 Myr. Regardless of the age, our dipper candidates tend to exhibit infrared excess, which is indicative of the presence of disks. TESS is now observing the ecliptic plane, which is rich in young stellar associations, so we anticipate many more discoveries in the TESS dataset. A larger sample of dipper stars would enhance the census statistics of light curve morphologies and dipper ages.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2022

TIC 114936199: A Quadruple Star System with a 12-day Outer Orbit Eclipse

We report the discovery with TESS of a remarkable quadruple star system with a 2+1+1 configuration. The two unique characteristics of this system are that (i) the inner eclipsing binary (stars Aa and Ab) eclipses the star in the outermost orbit (star C), and (ii) these outer 4th body eclipses last for $\sim$12 days, the longest of any such system known. The three orbital periods are $\sim$3.3 days, $\sim$51 days, and $\sim$2100 days. The extremely long duration of the outer eclipses is due to the fact that star B slows binary A down on the sky relative to star C. We combine TESS photometric data, ground-based photometric observations, eclipse timing points, radial velocity measurements, the composite spectral energy distribution, and stellar isochones in a spectro-photodynamical analysis to deduce all of the basic properties of the four stars (mass, radius, $T_{\rm eff}$, and age), as well as the orbital parameters for all three orbits. The four masses are $M_{\rm Aa} =0.382$M$_\odot$, $M_{\rm Ab} =0.300$M$_\odot$, $M_{\rm B} =0.540$M$_\odot$ and $M_{\rm C} =0.615$M$_\odot$, with a typical uncertainty of 0.015 M$_\odot$.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2022

Tidally Tilted Pulsators

The tidally tilted pulsators are a new type of oscillating star in close binary systems that have their pulsation axis in the orbital plane because of the tidal distortion caused by their companion. We describe this group of stars on the basis of the first three representatives discovered and illustrate the basic methods used for their analysis. Their value for astrophysical study is rooted in the combination of the strengths of binary star and asteroseismic analyses; pulsational mode identifications can be achieved because the oscillations are visible over nearly 360 degrees of aspect throughout the orbital cycle. An illustrative case of a particularly interesting system is presented.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2022

The Visual Survey Group: A Decade of Hunting Exoplanets and Unusual Stellar Events with Space-Based Telescopes

This article presents the history of the Visual Survey Group (VSG) - a Professional-Amateur (Pro-Am) collaboration within the field of astronomy working on data from several space missions (Kepler, K2 and TESS). This paper covers the formation of the VSG, its survey-methods including the most common tools used and its discoveries made over the past decade. So far, the group has visually surveyed nearly 10 million light curves and authored 69 peer-reviewed papers which mainly focus on exoplanets and discoveries involving multistellar systems found using the transit method. The preferred manual search-method carried out by the VSG has revealed its strength by detecting numerous sub-stellar objects which were overlooked or discarded by automated search programs, uncovering some of the most rare stars in our galaxy, and leading to several serendipitous discoveries of unprecedented astrophysical phenomena. The main purpose of the VSG is to assist in the exploration of our local Universe, and we therefore advocate continued crowd-sourced examination of time-domain data sets, and invite other research teams to reach out in order to establish collaborating projects.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2022

Kepler K2 and TESS observations of two magnetic cataclysmic variables: The new asynchronous polar SDSS J084617.11+245344.1 and Paloma

There have been relatively few published long-duration, uninterrupted light curves of magnetic cataclysmic variable stars in which the accreting white dwarf's rotational frequency is slightly desynchronized from the binary orbital frequency (asynchronous polars). We report Kepler K2 and TESS observations of two such systems. The first, SDSS J084617.11+245344.1, was observed by the Kepler spacecraft for 80 days during Campaign 16 of the K2 mission, and we identify it as a new asynchronous polar with a likely 4.64 h orbital period. This is significantly longer than any other asynchronous polar, as well as all but several synchronous polars. Its spin and orbital periods beat against each other to produce a conspicuous 6.77 d beat period, across which the system's accretion geometry gradually changes. The second system in this study, Paloma, was observed by TESS for one sector and was already known to be asynchronous. Until now, there had been an ambiguity in its spin period, but the TESS power spectrum pinpoints a spin period of 2.27 h. During the resulting 0.7 d spin-orbit beat period, the light curve phased on the spin modulation alternates between being single- and double-humped. We explore two possible explanations for this behavior: the accretion flow being diverted from one of the poles for part of the beat cycle, or an eclipse of the emitting region responsible for the second hump.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2022

97 Eclipsing Quadruple Star Candidates Discovered in TESS Full Frame Images

We present a catalog of 97 uniformly-vetted candidates for quadruple star systems. The candidates were identified in TESS Full Frame Image data from Sectors 1 through 42 through a combination of machine learning techniques and visual examination, with major contributions from a dedicated group of citizen scientists. All targets exhibit two sets of eclipses with two different periods, both of which pass photocenter tests confirming that the eclipses are on-target. This catalog outlines the statistical properties of the sample, nearly doubles the number of known multiply-eclipsing quadruple systems, and provides the basis for detailed future studies of individual systems. Several important discoveries have already resulted from this effort, including the first sextuply-eclipsing sextuple stellar system and the first transiting circumbinary planet detected from one sector of TESS data.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2021

WASP-47: A Hot Jupiter System with Two Additional Planets Discovered by K2

Using new data from the K2 mission, we show that WASP-47, a previously known hot Jupiter host, also hosts two additional transiting planets: a Neptune-sized outer planet and a super-Earth inner companion. We measure planetary properties from the K2 light curve and detect transit timing variations, confirming the planetary nature of the outer planet. We performed a large number of numerical simulations to study the dynamical stability of the system and to find the theoretically expected transit timing variations (TTVs). The theoretically predicted TTVs are in good agreement with those observed, and we use the TTVs to determine the masses of two planets, and place a limit on the third. The WASP-47 planetary system is important because companion planets can both be inferred by TTVs and are also detected directly through transit observations. The depth of the hot Jupiter's transits make ground-based TTV measurements possible, and the brightness of the host star makes it amenable for precise radial velocity measurements. The system serves as a Rosetta Stone for understanding TTVs as a planet detection technique.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2021

TIC 454140642: A Compact, Coplanar, Quadruple-lined Quadruple Star System Consisting of Two Eclipsing Binaries

We report the discovery of a compact, coplanar, quadruply-lined, eclipsing quadruple star system from TESS data, TIC 454140642, also known as TYC 0074-01254-1. The target was first detected in Sector 5 with 30-min cadence in Full-Frame Images and then observed in Sector 32 with 2-min cadence. The light curve exhibits two sets of primary and secondary eclipses with periods of PA = 13.624 days (binary A) and PB = 10.393 days (binary B). Analysis of archival and follow-up data shows clear eclipse-timing variations and divergent radial velocities, indicating dynamical interactions between the two binaries and confirming that they form a gravitationally-bound quadruple system with a 2+2 hierarchy. The Aa+Ab binary, Ba+Bb binary, and A-B system are aligned with respect to each other within a fraction of a degree: the respective mutual orbital inclinations are 0.25 degrees (A vs B), 0.37 degrees (A vs A-B), and 0.47 degrees (B vs A-B). The A-B system has an orbital period of 432 days - the second shortest amongst confirmed quadruple systems - and an orbital eccentricity of 0.3.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2021

TIC 168789840: A Sextuply-Eclipsing Sextuple Star System

We report the discovery of a sextuply-eclipsing sextuple star system from TESS data, TIC 168789840, also known as TYC 7037-89-1, the first known sextuple system consisting of three eclipsing binaries. The target was observed in Sectors 4 and 5 during Cycle 1, with lightcurves extracted from TESS Full Frame Image data. It was also previously observed by the WASP survey and ASAS-SN. The system consists of three gravitationally-bound eclipsing binaries in a hierarchical structure of an inner quadruple system with an outer binary subsystem. Follow-up observations from several different observatories were conducted as a means of determining additional parameters. The system was resolved by speckle interferometry with a 0."42 separation between the inner quadruple and outer binary, inferring an estimated outer period of ~2 kyr. It was determined that the fainter of the two resolved components is an 8.217 day eclipsing binary, which orbits the inner quadruple that contains two eclipsing binaries with periods of 1.570 days and 1.306 days. MCMC analysis of the stellar parameters has shown that the three binaries of TIC 168789840 are "triplets", as each binary is quite similar to the others in terms of mass, radius, and Teff. As a consequence of its rare composition, structure, and orientation, this object can provide important new insight into the formation, dynamics, and evolution of multiple star systems. Future observations could reveal if the intermediate and outer orbital planes are all aligned with the planes of the three inner eclipsing binaries.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2020

A Giant Planet Candidate Transiting a White Dwarf

Astronomers have discovered thousands of planets outside the solar system, most of which orbit stars that will eventually evolve into red giants and then into white dwarfs. During the red giant phase, any close-orbiting planets will be engulfed by the star, but more distant planets can survive this phase and remain in orbit around the white dwarf. Some white dwarfs show evidence for rocky material floating in their atmospheres, in warm debris disks, or orbiting very closely, which has been interpreted as the debris of rocky planets that were scattered inward and tidally disrupted. Recently, the discovery of a gaseous debris disk with a composition similar to ice giant planets demonstrated that massive planets might also find their way into tight orbits around white dwarfs, but it is unclear whether the planets can survive the journey. So far, the detection of intact planets in close orbits around white dwarfs has remained elusive. Here, we report the discovery of a giant planet candidate transiting the white dwarf WD 1856+534 (TIC 267574918) every 1.4 days. The planet candidate is roughly the same size as Jupiter and is no more than 14 times as massive (with 95% confidence). Other cases of white dwarfs with close brown dwarf or stellar companions are explained as the consequence of common-envelope evolution, wherein the original orbit is enveloped during the red-giant phase and shrinks due to friction. In this case, though, the low mass and relatively long orbital period of the planet candidate make common-envelope evolution less likely. Instead, the WD 1856+534 system seems to demonstrate that giant planets can be scattered into tight orbits without being tidally disrupted, and motivates searches for smaller transiting planets around white dwarfs.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2018

Detecting Exomoons Via Doppler Monitoring of Directly Imaged Exoplanets

Recently, Teachey, Kipping, and Schmitt (2018) reported the detection of a candidate exomoon, tentatively designated Kepler-1625b I, around a giant planet in the Kepler field. The candidate exomoon would be about the size and mass of Neptune, considerably larger than any moon in our Solar System, and if confirmed, would be the first in a new class of giant moons or binary planets. Motivated by the large mass ratio in the Kepler-1625b planet and satellite system, we investigate the detectability of similarly massive exomoons around directly imaged exoplanets via Doppler spectroscopy. The candidate moon around Kepler-1625b would induce a radial velocity signal of about 200 m/s on its host planet, large enough that similar moons around directly imaged planets orbiting bright, nearby stars might be detected with current or next generation instrumentation. In addition to searching for exomoons, a radial velocity survey of directly imaged planets could reveal the orientations of the planets' spin axes, making it possible to identify Uranus analogs.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2018

Transiting Disintegrating Planetary Debris around WD 1145+017

More than a decade after astronomers realized that disrupted planetary material likely pollutes the surfaces of many white dwarf stars, the discovery of transiting debris orbiting the white dwarf WD 1145+017 has opened the door to new explorations of this process. We describe the observational evidence for transiting planetary material and the current theoretical understanding (and in some cases lack thereof) of the phenomenon.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2016

New constraints on quantum foam models from X-ray and gamma-ray observations of distant quasars

Astronomical observations of distant quasars may be important to test models for quantum gravity, which posit Planck-scale spatial uncertainties ('spacetime foam') that would produce phase fluctuations in the wavefront of radiation emitted by a source, which may accumulate over large path lengths. We show explicitly how wavefront distortions cause the image intensity to decay to the point where distant objects become undetectable if the accumulated path-length fluctuations become comparable to the wavelength of the radiation. We also reassess previous efforts in this area. We use X-ray and gamma-ray observations to rule out several models of spacetime foam, including the interesting random-walk and holographic models.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2015

Kepler Eclipsing Binary Stars. VI. Identification of Eclipsing Binaries in the K2 Campaign 0 Data-set

The original {\it Kepler} mission observed and characterized over 2400 eclipsing binaries in addition to its prolific exoplanet detections. Despite the mechanical malfunction and subsequent non-recovery of two reaction wheels used to stabilize the instrument, the {\it Kepler} satellite continues collecting data in its repurposed {\it K2} mission surveying a series of fields along the ecliptic plane. Here we present an analysis of the first full baseline {\it K2} data release: the Campaign 0 data-set. In the 7761 light curves, we have identified a total of 207 eclipsing binaries. Of these, 97 are new discoveries that were not previously identified. Our pixel-level analysis of these objects has also resulted in identification of several false positives (observed targets contaminated by neighboring eclipsing binaries), as well as the serendipitous discovery of two short period exoplanet candidates. We provide catalog cross-matched source identifications, orbital periods, morphologies and ephemerides for these eclipsing systems. We also describe the incorporation of the K2 sample into the Kepler Eclipsing Binary Catalog\footnote{\url{keplerebs.villanova.edu/k2}}, present spectroscopic follow-up observations for a limited selection of nine systems, and discuss prospects for upcoming {\it K2} campaigns.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2015

New Constraints on Quantum Gravity from X-ray and Gamma-Ray Observations

One aspect of the quantum nature of spacetime is its "foaminess" at very small scales. Many models for spacetime foam are defined by the accumulation power $α$, which parameterizes the rate at which Planck-scale spatial uncertainties (and thephase shifts they produce) may accumulate over large path-lengths. Here $α$ is defined by theexpression for the path-length fluctuations, $δ\ell$, of a source at distance $\ell$, wherein $δ\ell \simeq \ell^{1 - α} \ell_P^α$, with $\ell_P$ being the Planck length. We reassess previous proposals to use astronomical observations ofdistant quasars and AGN to test models of spacetime foam. We show explicitly how wavefront distortions on small scales cause the image intensity to decay to the point where distant objects become undetectable when the path-length fluctuations become comparable to the wavelength of the radiation. We use X-ray observations from {\em Chandra} to set the constraint $α\gtrsim 0.58$, which rules out the random walk model (with $α= 1/2$). Much firmer constraints canbe set utilizing detections of quasars at GeV energies with {\em Fermi}, and at TeV energies with ground-based Cherenkovtelescopes: $α\gtrsim 0.67$ and $α\gtrsim 0.72$, respectively. These limits on $α$ seem to rule out $α= 2/3$, the model of some physical interest.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2011

KOI 1224, a Fourth Bloated Hot White Dwarf Companion Found With Kepler

We present an analysis and interpretation of the Kepler binary system KOI 1224. This is the fourth binary found with Kepler that consists of a thermally bloated, hot white dwarf in a close orbit with a more or less normal star of spectral class A or F. As we show, KOI 1224 contains a white dwarf with Teff = 14400 +/- 1100 K, mass = 0.20 +/- 0.02 Msun, and radius = 0.103 +/- 0.004 Rsun, and an F-star companion of mass = 1.59 +/- 0.07 Msun that is somewhat beyond its terminal-age main sequence. The orbital period is quite short at 2.69802 days. The ingredients that are used in the analysis are the Kepler binary light curve, including the detection of the Doppler boosting effect; the NUV and FUV fluxes from the Galex images of this object; an estimate of the spectral type of the F-star companion; and evolutionary models of the companion designed to match its effective temperature and mean density. The light curve is modelled with a new code named Icarus which we describe in detail. Its features include the full treatment of orbital phase-resolved spectroscopy, Doppler boosting, irradiation effects and transits/eclipses, which are particularly suited to irradiated eclipsing binaries. We interpret the KOI 1224 system in terms of its likely evolutionary history. We infer that this type of system, containing a bloated hot white dwarf, is the direct descendant of an Algol-type binary. In spite of this basic understanding of the origin of KOI 1224, we discuss a number of problems associated with producing this type of system with this short of an short orbital period.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2010

Observations of Doppler Boosting in Kepler Lightcurves

Among the initial results from Kepler were two striking lightcurves, for KOI 74 and KOI 81, in which the relative depths of the primary and secondary eclipses showed that the more compact, less luminous object was hotter than its stellar host. That result became particularly intriguing because a substellar mass had been derived for the secondary in KOI 74, which would make the high temperature challenging to explain; in KOI 81, the mass range for the companion was also reported to be consistent with a substellar object. We re-analyze the Kepler data and demonstrate that both companions are likely to be white dwarfs. We also find that the photometric data for KOI 74 show a modulation in brightness as the more luminous star orbits, due to Doppler boosting. The magnitude of the effect is sufficiently large that we can use it to infer a radial velocity amplitude accurate to 1 km/s. As far as we are aware, this is the first time a radial-velocity curve has been measured photometrically. Combining our velocity amplitude with the inclination and primary mass derived from the eclipses and primary spectral type, we infer a secondary mass of 0.22+/-0.03 Msun. We use our estimates to consider the likely evolutionary paths and mass-transfer episodes of these binary systems.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2009

Galaxy-Scale Strong Lensing Tests of Gravity and Geometric Cosmology: Constraints and Systematic Limitations

Galaxy-scale strong gravitational lenses with measured stellar velocity dispersions allow a test of the weak-field metric on kiloparsec scales and a geometric measurement of the cosmological distance-redshift relation, provided that the mass-dynamical structure of the lensing galaxies can be independently constrained to a sufficient degree. We combine data on 53 galaxy-scale strong lenses from the Sloan Lens ACS Survey with a well-motivated fiducial set of lens-galaxy parameters to find (1) a constraint on the post-Newtonian parameter gamma = 1.01 +/- 0.05 and (2) a determination of Omega_Lambda = 0.75 +/- 0.17 under the assumption of a flat universe. These constraints assume that the underlying observations and priors are free of systematic error. We evaluate the sensitivity of these results to systematic uncertainties in (1) total mass-profile shape, (2) velocity anisotropy, (3) light-profile shape, and (4) stellar velocity dispersion. Based on these sensitivities, we conclude that while such strong-lens samples can in principle provide an important tool for testing general relativity and cosmology, they are unlikely to yield precision measurements of gamma and Omega_Lambda unless the properties of the lensing galaxies are independently constrained with substantially greater accuracy than at present.

astro-ph.CO↗