arXiv subjects

T. J. Henry

Publications and source records attributed to T. J. Henry.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2020

A well aligned orbit for the 45 Myr old transiting Neptune DS Tuc Ab

DS Tuc Ab is a Neptune-sized planet that orbits around a member of the 45 Myr old Tucana-Horologium moving group. Here, we report the measurement of the sky-projected angle between the stellar spin axis and the planet's orbital axis, based on the observation of the Rossiter-McLaughlin effect during three separate planetary transits. The orbit appears to be well aligned with the equator of the host star, with a projected obliquity of lambda = 2.5 +1.0/-0.9 deg. In addition to the distortions in the stellar absorption lines due to the transiting planet, we observed variations that we attribute to large starspots, with angular sizes of tens of degrees. The technique we have developed for simultaneous modeling of starspots and the planet-induced distortions may be useful in other observations of planets around active stars.

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arXiv2016

The Solar Neighborhood XXXVII: The Mass-Luminosity Relation for Main Sequence M Dwarfs

We present a Mass-Luminosity Relation (MLR) for red dwarfs spanning a range of masses from 0.62 Msun to the end of the stellar main sequence at 0.08 Msun. The relation is based on 47 stars for which dynamical masses have been determined, primarily using astrometric data from Fine Guidance Sensors (FGS) 3 and 1r, white-light interferometers on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), and radial velocity data from McDonald Observatory. For our HST/FGS sample of 15 binaries component mass errors range from 0.4% to 4.0% with a median error of 1.8%. With these and masses from other sources, we construct a V-band MLR for the lower main sequence with 47 stars, and a K-band MLR with 45 stars with fit residuals half of those of the V-band. We use GJ 831 AB as an analysis example, obtaining an absolute trigonometric parallax, pi_abs = 125.3 +/- 0.3 milliseconds of arc, with orbital elements yielding MA = 0.270 +/- 0.004 Msun and MB = 0.145 +/- 0.002 Msun. The mass precision rivals that derived for eclipsing binaries. A remaining major task is the interpretation of the intrinsic cosmic scatter in the observed MLR for low mass stars in terms of physical effects. In the meantime, useful mass values can be estimated from the MLR for the ubiquitous red dwarfs that account for 75% of all stars, with applications ranging from the characterization of exoplanet host stars to the contribution of red dwarfs to the mass of the Universe.

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arXiv2014

The Multiplicity of Massive Stars: A High Angular Resolution Survey with the HST Fine Guidance Sensor

We present the results of an all-sky survey made with the Fine Guidance Sensor on Hubble Space Telescope to search for angularly resolved binary systems among the massive stars. The sample of 224 stars is comprised mainly of Galactic O- and B-type stars and Luminous Blue Variables, plus a few luminous stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud. The FGS TRANS mode observations are sensitive to detection of companions with an angular separation between 0."01 and 1."0 and brighter than $\triangle m = 5$. The FGS observations resolved 52 binary and 6 triple star systems and detected partially resolved binaries in 7 additional targets (43 of these are new detections). These numbers yield a companion detection frequency of 29% for the FGS survey. We also gathered literature results on the numbers of close spectroscopic binaries and wider astrometric binaries among the sample, and we present estimates of the frequency of multiple systems and the companion frequency for subsets of stars residing in clusters and associations, field stars, and runaway stars. These results confirm the high multiplicity fraction, especially among massive stars in clusters and associations. We show that the period distribution is approximately flat in increments of log P. We identify a number of systems of potential interest for long term orbital determinations, and we note the importance of some of these companions for the interpretation of the radial velocities and light curves of close binaries that have third companions.

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arXiv2012

Magnetic Activity Cycles in the Exoplanet Host Star epsilon Eridani

The active K2 dwarf epsilon Eri has been extensively characterized, both as a young solar analog and more recently as an exoplanet host star. As one of the nearest and brightest stars in the sky, it provides an unparalleled opportunity to constrain stellar dynamo theory beyond the Sun. We confirm and document the 3 year magnetic activity cycle in epsilon Eri originally reported by Hatzes and coworkers, and we examine the archival data from previous observations spanning 45 years. The data show coexisting 3 year and 13 year periods leading into a broad activity minimum that resembles a Maunder minimum-like state, followed by the resurgence of a coherent 3 year cycle. The nearly continuous activity record suggests the simultaneous operation of two stellar dynamos with cycle periods of 2.95+/-0.03 years and 12.7+/-0.3 years, which by analogy with the solar case suggests a revised identification of the dynamo mechanisms that are responsible for the so-called "active" and "inactive" sequences as proposed by Bohm-Vitense. Finally, based on the observed properties of epsilon Eri we argue that the rotational history of the Sun is what makes it an outlier in the context of magnetic cycles observed in other stars (as also suggested by its Li depletion), and that a Jovian-mass companion cannot be the universal explanation for the solar peculiarities.

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arXiv2012

M dwarf stars in the light of (future) exoplanet searches

We present a brief overview of a splinter session on M dwarf stars as planet hosts that was organized as part of the Cool Stars 17 conference. The session was devoted to reviewing our current knowledge of M dwarf stars and exoplanets in order to prepare for current and future exoplanet searches focusing in low mass stars. We review the observational and theoretical challenges to characterize M dwarf stars and the importance of accurate fundamental parameters for the proper characterization of their exoplanets and our understanding on planet formation.

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arXiv2011

UCAC3 Proper Motion Survey. II. Discovery Of New Proper Motion Stars In UCAC3 With 0.40" yr^-1 > mu >= 0.18" yr^-1 Between Declinations -47 deg and 00 deg

We present 474 new proper motion stellar systems in the southern sky having no previously known components, with 0.40" yr^-1 > mu >= 0.18" yr^-1 between declinations -47 deg and 00 deg. In this second paper utilizing the U.S. Naval Observatory third CCD Astrograph Catalog (UCAC3) we complete our sweep of the southern sky for objects in the proper motion range targeted by this survey with R magnitudes ranging from 9.80 to 19.61. The new systems contribute a ~16% increase in the number of new stellar systems for the same region of sky reported in previous SuperCOSMOS RECONS (SCR) surveys. Among the newly discovered stellar systems are 16 multiples, plus an additional 10 components that are new common proper motion companions to previously known objects. A comparison of UCAC3 proper motions to those from Hipparcos, Tycho-2, Southern Proper Motion (SPM4), and SuperCOSMOS indicates that all proper motions are consistent to ~10 mas/yr, with the exception of SuperCOSMOS. Distance estimates are derived for all stellar systems having SuperCOSMOS Sky Survey (SSS) B_J, R_59F, and I_IVN plate magnitudes and Two-Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS) infrared photometry. We find five new red dwarf systems estimated to be within 25 pc. These discoveries support results from previous proper motion surveys suggesting that more nearby stellar systems are to be found, particularly in the fainter, slower moving samples. In this second paper utilizing the U.S. Naval Observatory third CCD Astrograph Catalog (UCAC3) we complete our sweep of the southern sky for objects in the proper motion range targeted by this survey with R magnitudes ranging from 9.80 to 19.61.

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arXiv2010

Discovery of a 1.6-year Magnetic Activity Cycle in the Exoplanet Host Star iota Horologii

The Mount Wilson Ca HK survey revealed magnetic activity variations in a large sample of solar-type stars with timescales ranging from 2.5 to 25 years. This broad range of cycle periods is thought to reflect differences in the rotational properties and the depths of the surface convection zones for stars with various masses and ages. In 2007 we initiated a long-term monitoring campaign of Ca II H and K emission for a sample of 57 southern solar-type stars to measure their magnetic activity cycles and their rotational properties when possible. We report the discovery of a 1.6-year magnetic activity cycle in the exoplanet host star iota Horologii, and we obtain an estimate of the rotation period that is consistent with Hyades membership. This is the shortest activity cycle so far measured for a solar-type star, and may be related to the short-timescale magnetic variations recently identified in the Sun and HD49933 from helio- and asteroseismic measurements. Future asteroseismic observations can be compared to those obtained near the magnetic minimum in 2006 to search for cycle-induced shifts in the oscillation frequencies. If such short activity cycles are common in F stars, then NASA's Kepler mission should observe their effects in many of its long-term asteroseismic targets.

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arXiv2010

The H-alpha Variations of eta Carinae During the 2009.0 Spectroscopic Event

We report on H-alpha spectroscopy of the 2009.0 spectroscopic event of eta Carinae collected via SMARTS observations using the CTIO 1.5 m telescope and echelle spectrograph. Our observations were made almost every night over a two month interval around the predicted minimum of eta Car. We observed a significant fading of the line emission that reached a minimum seven days after the X-ray minimum. About 17 d prior to the H-alpha flux minimum, the H-alpha profile exhibited the emergence of a broad, P Cygni type, absorption component (near a Doppler shift of -500 km/s) and a narrow absorption component (near -144 km/s and probably associated with intervening gas from the Little Homunculus Nebula). All these features were observed during the last event in 2003.5 and are probably related to the close periastron passage of the companion. We argue that these variations are consistent with qualitative expectations about changes in the primary star's stellar wind that result from the wind-wind collision with a massive binary companion and from atmospheric eclipses of the companion.

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arXiv2009

Activity Cycles of Southern Asteroseismic Targets

The Mount Wilson Ca HK survey revealed magnetic activity variations in a large sample of solar-type stars with timescales ranging from 2.5 to 25 years. This broad range of cycle periods is thought to reflect differences in the rotational properties and the depths of the surface convection zones for stars with various masses and ages. Asteroseismic data will soon provide direct measurements of these quantities for individual stars, but many of the most promising targets are in the southern sky (e.g., alpha Cen A & B, beta Hyi, mu Ara, tau Cet, nu Ind), while long-term magnetic activity cycle surveys are largely confined to the north. In 2007 we began using the SMARTS 1.5-m telescope to conduct a long-term monitoring campaign of Ca II H & K emission for a sample of 57 southern solar-type stars to measure their magnetic activity cycles and their rotational properties when possible. This sample includes the most likely southern asteroseismic targets to be observed by the Stellar Oscillations Network Group (SONG), currently scheduled to begin operations in 2012. We present selected results from the first two years of the survey, and from the longer time baseline sampled by a single-epoch survey conducted in 1992.

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arXiv2008

Dynamical Masses for the Large Magellanic Cloud Massive Binary System [L72] LH 54-425

We present results from an optical spectroscopic investigation of the massive binary system [L72] LH~54-425 in the LH 54 OB association in the Large Magellanic Cloud. We revise the ephemeris of [L72] LH 54-425 and find an orbital period of 2.247409 +/- 0.000010 days. We find spectral types of O3 V for the primary and O5 V for the secondary. We made a combined solution of the radial velocities and previously published V-band photometry to determine the inclination for two system configurations, i = 52 degrees for the configuration of the secondary star being more tidally distorted and i = 55 degrees for the primary as the more tidally distorted star. We argue that the latter case is more probable, and this solution yields masses and radii of M_1 = 47 +/- 2 M_Sun and R_1 = 11.4 +/- 0.1 R_Sun for the primary, and M_2 = 28 +/- 1 M_Sun and R_2 = 8.1 +/- 0.1 R_Sun for the secondary. Our analysis places LH 54-425 amongst the most massive stars known. Based on the position of the two stars plotted on a theoretical HR diagram, we find the age of the system to be about 1.5 Myr.

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arXiv2006

Discovery of Two T Dwarf Companions with the Spitzer Space Telescope

We report the discovery of T dwarf companions to the nearby stars HN Peg (G0V, 18.4 pc, ~0.3 Gyr) and HD 3651 (K0V, 11.1 pc, ~7 Gyr). During an ongoing survey of 5'x5' fields surrounding stars in the solar neighborhood with IRAC aboard the Spitzer Space Telescope, we identified these companions as candidate T dwarfs based on their mid-IR colors. Using near-IR spectra obtained with SpeX at the NASA IRTF, we confirm the presence of methane absorption that characterizes T dwarfs and measure spectral types of T2.5+/-0.5 and T7.5+/-0.5 for HN Peg B and HD 3651 B, respectively. By comparing our Spitzer data to images from 2MASS obtained several years earlier, we find that the proper motions of HN Peg B and HD 3651 B are consistent with those of the primaries, confirming their companionship. HN Peg B and HD 3651 B have angular separations of 43.2" and 42.9" from their primaries, which correspond to projected physical separations of 795 and 476 AU, respectively. A comparison of their luminosities to the values predicted by theoretical evolutionary models implies masses of 0.021+/-0.009 and 0.051+/-0.014 Msun for HN Peg B and HD 3651 B. In addition, the models imply an effective temperature for HN Peg B that is significantly lower than the values derived for other T dwarfs at similar spectral types, which is the same behavior reported by Metchev & Hillenbrand for the young late-L dwarf HD 203030 B. Thus, the temperature of the L/T transition appears to depend on surface gravity. Meanwhile, HD 3651 B is the first substellar companion directly imaged around a star that is known to harbor a close-in planet from RV surveys. The discovery of this companion supports the notion that the high eccentricities of close-in planets like the one near HD 3651 may be the result of perturbations by low-mass companions at wide separations.

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arXiv2006

Calibrating the Solar Dynamo: Magnetic Activity Cycles of Southern Sun-like Stars

The solar magnetic activity cycle is responsible for periodic episodes of severe space weather, which can perturb satellite orbits, interfere with communications systems, and bring down power grids. Much progress has recently been made in forecasting the strength and timing of this 11-year cycle, using a predictive flux-transport dynamo model (Dikpati 2005, Dikpati et al. 2006). We can strengthen the foundation of this model by extending it to match observations of similar magnetic activity cycles in other Sun-like stars, which exhibit variations in their Ca II H and K emission on time scales from 2.5 to 25 years (Baliunas et al. 1995). This broad range of cycle periods is thought to reflect differences in the rotational properties and the depth of the surface convection zone for stars with various masses and ages. Asteroseismology is now yielding direct measurements of these quantities for individual stars, but the most promising asteroseismic targets are in the southern sky (alpha Cen A, alpha Cen B, beta Hyi), while the existing activity cycle survey is confined to the north. We are initiating a long-term survey of Ca II H and K emission for a sample of 92 southern Sun-like stars to measure their magnetic activity cycles and rotational properties, which will ultimately provide independent tests of solar dynamo models.

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arXiv2006

First Results from the CHARA Array. IV. The Interferometric Radii of Low-Mass Stars

We have measured the angular diameters of six M dwarfs with the CHARA Array, a long-baseline optical interferometer located at Mount Wilson Observatory. Spectral types range from M1.0 V to M3.0 V and linear radii from 0.38 to 0.69 Rsun. These results are consistent with the seven other M-dwarf radii measurements from optical interferometry and with those for sixteen stars in eclipsing binary systems. We compare all directly measured M dwarf radii to model predictions and find that current models underestimate the true stellar radii by up to 15-20%. The differences are small among the metal-poor stars but become significantly larger with increasing metallicity. This suggests that theoretical models for low mass stars may be missing some opacity source that alters the computed stellar radii.

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arXiv2005

Three active M dwarfs within 8 pc: L 449-1, L 43-72, & LP 949-15

Three nearby star candidates were selected as bright 2MASS point sources without associated optical sources, i.e. with potentially large proper motions, subsequently confirmed by multi-epoch optical data from the SuperCOSMOS Sky Surveys. All three objects are listed in the NLTT catalogue of high proper motion stars. Follow-up spectroscopic observations allowed us to classify L 449-1 as M4.0e dwarf at 5.7 pc, L43-72 as M4.5e dwarf at 7.2 pc, and LP 949-15 as M5.0e dwarf at 6.1 pc, using known absolute $JHK_\mathrm{s}$ magnitudes of dwarfs with corresponding spectral types, respectively. All three stars exhibit $Hα$ emission lines, and all three can be identified with bright X-ray sources. The available ROSAT light curves of two of the objects show typical flare-like variability. Thus, all three stars are active, very close potential neighbours of the Sun, previously not mentioned as such, certainly deserving further attention. In particular, these are very promising candidates for trigonometric parallax programs.

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arXiv2004

The Solar Neighborhood IX: Hubble Space Telescope Detections of Companions to Five M and L Dwarfs within 10 pc of the Sun

We report the detections of low-mass companions to five M and L dwarfs within 10 pc of the Sun using the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Near-Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer (NICMOS). Follow-up observations using the HST Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) and Fine Guidance Sensor 1r (FGS1r) confirm our NICMOS discoveries of companions to the L4.5 dwarf GJ 1001B (LHS 102B) and the M5 dwarf LHS 224, respectively. Images obtained with the Astrophysical Research Consortium 3.5 m telescope at Apache Point Observatory verify our discovery of a companion to the M3 dwarf G 239-25. Our NICMOS images confirm the previously suspected duplicity of the M3 dwarfs GJ 54 and GJ 84. The components of GJ 1001BC and LHS 224AB have nearly equal luminosities in all the ACS and/or NICMOS bandpasses in which they were observed. The magnitudes of GJ 54A and B in one FGS1r bandpass and four NICMOS bandpasses differ by <~ 1. GJ 84B and G 239-25B are ~4 magnitudes fainter than their M3 companions in the NICMOS bandpasses. We estimate from our NICMOS photometry that GJ 84B and G 239-25B have spectral types M7 and M8, respectively, and masses near the lower limit for sustained hydrogen burning. The apparent separations of GJ 1001BC, GJ 54AB, and LHS 224AB suggest orbital periods less than 5 yr. These binary dwarfs are ideal candidates for continued astrometric monitoring that will quickly yield accurate dynamic masses needed to constrain the mass-luminosity relation for low-mass stars and brown dwarfs.

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arXiv2004

The Solar Neighborhood VIII: Discovery of New High Proper Motion Nearby Stars Using the SuperCOSMOS Sky Survey

Five new objects with proper motions between 1.0 arcsec/yr and 2.6 arcsec/yr have been discovered via a new RECONS search for high proper motion stars utilizing the SuperCOSMOS Sky Survey. The first portion of the search, discussed here, is centered on the south celestial pole and covers declinations -90 degrees to -57.5 degrees. Photographic photometry from SuperCOSMOS and JHKs near-infrared photometry from 2MASS for stars nearer than 10 pc are combined to provide a suite of new M_Ks-color relations useful for estimating distances to main sequence stars. These relations are then used to derive distances to the new proper motion objects as well as previously known stars with mu >= 1.0 arcsec/yr (many of which have no trigonometric parallaxes) recovered during this phase of the survey. Four of the five new stars have red dwarf colors, while one is a nearby white dwarf. Two of the red dwarfs are likely to be within the RECONS 10 pc sample, and the white dwarf probably lies between 15 and 25 pc. Among the 23 known stars recovered during the search, there are three additional candidates for the RECONS sample that have no trigonometric parallaxes.

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arXiv2002

A Near-Infrared Wide-Field Proper Motion Search for Brown Dwarfs

A common proper motion survey of M dwarf stars within 8 pc of the Sun reveals no new stellar or brown dwarf companions at wide separations (~100-1400 AU). This survey tests whether the brown dwarf ``desert'' extends to large separations around M dwarf stars and further explores the census of the solar neighborhood. The sample includes 66 stars north of -30 degrees and within 8 pc of the Sun. Existing first epoch images are compared to new J-band images of the same fields an average of 7 years later to reveal proper motion companions within a ~4 arcminute radius of the primary star. No new companions are detected to a J-band limiting magnitude of ~16.5, corresponding to a companion mass of ~40 Jupiter masses for an assumed age of 5 Gyr at the mean distance of the objects in the survey, 5.8 pc.

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arXiv2000

Precise Masses for Wolf 1062 AB from Hubble Space Telescope Interferometric Astrometry and McDonald Observatory Radial Velocities

We present an analysis of astrometric data from FGS 3, a white-light interferometer on {\it HST}, and of radial velocity data from two ground-based campaigns. We model the astrometric and radial velocity measurements simultaneously to obtain parallax, proper motion and component masses for Wolf 1062 = Gl 748 AB (M3.5V). To derive the mass fraction, we relate FGS 3 fringe scanning observations of the science target to a reference frame provided by fringe tracking observations of a surrounding star field. We obtain an absolute parallax $π_{abs} = 98.0 \pm 0.4$ milliseconds of arc, yielding ${\cal M}_A = 0.379 \pm 0.005{\cal M}_{\sun}$ and ${\cal M}_B= 0.192 \pm 0.003 {\cal M}_{\sun}$, high quality component masses with errors of only 1.5%.

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