arXiv subjects

Yogesh C. Joshi

Publications and source records attributed to Yogesh C. Joshi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Investigation of Transit Timing and an Optical Transmission Spectrum of the Hot Jupiter WASP-11 b

WASP-11~b/HAT-P-10~b is an inflated hot Jupiter, which has a low density that makes it a good target for atmospheric studies using the transmission spectroscopy technique. In this work, we present 31 new transit light curves of WASP-11~b/HAT-P-10~b, obtained through the SPEARNET network. These data were analyzed along with previously published ground-based observations and space-based data from \texttt{TESS}. We refine the planetary parameters of WASP-11~b/HAT-P-10~b and perform a transit timing analysis using data spanning 16 years. The updated ($O-C$) diagram shows no significant evidence of orbital decay. The TTV analysis reveals no significant signals indicative of additional planets. Atmospheric analysis using multi-band optical observations indicates a strong Rayleigh scattering slope in the transmission spectra, which may originate from the planetary atmosphere itself or be influenced by contamination such as stellar activity or light from the companion star.

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arXiv2026

The Transit Timing and Transmission Spectrum of Hot Jupiter WASP-43 b from a decade of Multi-band Transit Follow-up Observations

We present a new set of 35 transit light curves of the hot Jupiter WASP-43~b, obtained through the SPEARNET network. These datasets were analyzed together with previously published ground-based observations, as well as space-based data from \emph{TESS}, \emph{HST}, and \emph{JWST}, to refine the planetary parameters of WASP-43~b. A total of 188 mid-transit times, measured with \texttt{TransitFit}, were analyzed for potential timing variations. The transit timing variations do not show any significant evidence of orbital decay. Atmospheric retrievals using \emph{HST}/WFC3 G141 transmission spectra suggest that higher-temperature solutions are associated with higher water abundances. However, when these data are combined with observations from ground-based telescopes, \emph{TESS}, and \emph{JWST}, the increased modeling complexity across the broad wavelength baseline presents significant challenges for atmospheric characterization. These results highlight that high-precision, multi-instrument datasets will be necessary to break existing degeneracies in the atmospheric modeling of this target in the future.

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arXiv2025

Mapping the reddening plane in the Galactic disk through interstellar extinction of open clusters

As thousands of new open clusters in the Galaxy have recently been reported with reddening or extinction information, we map the distribution and properties of the Galaxy's interstellar material in the Galactic disk as traced by these open clusters. By analyzing the distribution of interstellar extinction for 6215 open clusters located at low Galactic latitude b <= 6 deg, corresponding to the thin Galactic disk, we identify a reddening plane characterized by a dust layer whose thickness varies with Galactic longitude. By splitting the open clusters sample into several sub-regions of Galactic longitude, we observe that the reddening plane is not perfectly aligned with the formal Galactic plane, but instead varies sinusoidally around the Galactic mid-plane. The maximum and minimum interstellar absorption occur at approximately 42 deg and 222 deg, respectively, along the Galactic longitude. Our analysis reveals a noticeable north-south asymmetry in the distribution of interstellar absorption, with a higher proportion of interstellar material below the Galactic plane. We also find that the Sun is located 15.7 +/- 7.3 pc above the reddening plane. The scale height of the open clusters from the reddening plane is estimated to be z_h = 87.3 +/- 1.8 pc. The mean thickness of the absorbing material in the reddening plane, which represents the average extent of the dust layer responsible for interstellar extinction, is found to be about 201 +/- 20 pc. Our findings provide insights into the distribution of interstellar dust, its relationship with the Galactic thin disk, and its implications for the Galactic structure.

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arXiv2025

Investigating Pulsating Variables and Eclipsing Binaries in NGC 2126 using Ground and Space-based Photometry, Astrometry, Spectroscopy and Modeling

Pulsating variables are prevalent in the classical δ Scuti instability strip of intermediate-age open star clusters. The cluster membership of these stars facilitates a comparative analysis of their evolution in analogous environments. In this study, we integrate ground-based observations, TESS Full Frame Images (FFIs), and Gaia DR3 data to investigate variable stars in the intermediate-age open star cluster NGC 2126. We performed ground-based time-series observations of NGC 2126 to identify variable stars within its vicinity. Next, we determined the membership of these stars using parallax and the proper motions from Gaia DR3 archive. Then, we searched the TESS Full Frame Images (FFIs) for counterparts to the variables identified above and performed their frequency analysis and classification. Finally, we modeled the light curves (LCs) of detected eclipsing binaries (EBs), including V551 Aur, which has a pulsating component. We found 25 members and 85 field variable stars. In TESS FFIs, we found LCs for 11 known variables and a new rotational variable. We determined that the pulsating EB V551 Aur is a member of the cluster. The low- and medium-resolution spectra revealed the line profile variation and the basic parameters for the star, respectively. Simultaneous modeling of the eclipses and the embedded pulsations resulted in improved orbital parameters for the binary system. We also report the determination of orbital parameters for the previously uncharacterized EB system UCAC4 700-043174.

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arXiv2024

Low-resolution Transit Spectroscopy of Three Hot Jupiters Using the 2m Himalayan Chandra Telescope

Here, we present the low-resolution transmission spectroscopy of three giant planets using the Himalayan Faint Object Spectrograph Camera (HFOSC) on the 2m Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT) in Hanle, India. It is the first application of transmission spectroscopy with HCT. This study presents results from a single transit, each for three planets: HAT-P-1b, KELT- 18b and WASP-127b. The selection of suitable reference stars assisted in accurately tracking slit losses for the long cadence observations that are needed to achieve the required Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR). We employ the Common Mode Correction (CMC) technique, utilizing a white light transit curve to minimize time dependent systematic errors. The observed spectra for WASP-127b and HAT-P-1b agree with previous low-resolution transit spectroscopic observations using other observing facilities. We confirm the presence of Rayleigh scattering in the atmosphere of WASP-127b. In addition, we provide the first low-resolution transmission spectrum for KELT-18b. Modeling the exoplanet atmosphere with HFOSC and available IR observations from HST and SPITZER for WASP-127b and HAT-P-1b shows that HFOSC can be an alternative optical instrument to use in conjunction with IR observations to constrain the atmospheric parameters better.

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arXiv2024

Transit Timing Variation of K2-237b: Hints Toward Planet Disk Migration

Hot Jupiters should initially form at considerable distances from host stars and subsequently migrate towards inner regions, supported directly by transit timing variation (TTV). We report the TTV of K2-237b, using reproduced timings fitted from \textit{Kepler} K2 and \textit{TESS} data. The timings span from 2016 to 2021, leading to an observational baseline of 5 years. The timing evolution presents a significant bias to a constant period scenario. The model evidence is evaluated utilizing the Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC), which favours the scenario of period decay with a $Δ$BIC of 14.1. The detected TTV induces a period decay rate ($\dot{P}$) of -1.14$\pm$0.28$\times$10$^{-8}$ days per day ($-$0.36 s/year). Fitting the spectral energy distribution, we find infrared excess at the significance level of 1.5 $σ$ for WISE W1 and W2 bands, and 2 $σ$ level for W3 and W4 bands. This potentially reveals the existence of a stellar disk, consisting of hot dust at 800$\pm$300 K, showing a $L_{dust}/L_{\ast}$ of 5$\pm$3$\times$10$^{-3}$. We obtain a stellar age of 1.0$^{+1.4}_{-0.7}$$\times$10$^{9}$ yr from isochrone fitting. The properties of K2-237b potentially serve as a direct observational support to the planet disk migration though more observation are needed.

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arXiv2024

On the Metallicity Gradients in the Galactic Disk using Open Clusters

We study the metallicity distribution and evolution in the Galactic disk based on the largest sample of open star clusters in the Galaxy. From the catalogue of 1879 open clusters in the range of Galactocentric distance (R_GC) from 4 to 20 kpc, we investigate the variation of metallicity in the Galactic disk as functions of R_GC, vertical distance (Z), and ages of the clusters. In the direction perpendicular to the Galactic plane, variation in metallicity is found to follow a stepped linear relation. We estimate a vertical metallicity gradient d[Fe/H]/dZ of -0.545+/-0.046 dex/kpc for |Z| < 0.487 kpc, and -0.075+/-0.093 dex/kpc for 0.487 < |Z| < 1.8 kpc. On average, metallicity variations above and below the Galactic plane are found to change at similar rates. The change in metallicity in the radial direction is also found to follow a two-function linear relation. We obtain a radial metallicity gradient d[Fe/H]/d[R_GC] of -0.070+/-0.002 dex/kpc for 4.0<R_GC<12.8 kpc, and -0.005+/-0.018 dex/kpc for 12.8< R_GC < 20.5 kpc which clearly shows a strong variation in the metallicity gradient when moving from the inner to the outer Galactic disk. Age-metallicity relation (AMR) is found to follow a steeper negative slope of -0.031+/-0.006 dex/Gyr for clusters older than 240 Myr, however, there is some hint of positive metallicity age gradient for younger clusters.

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arXiv2023

Revisiting the Transit Timing and Atmosphere Characterization of the Neptune-mass Planet HAT-P-26 b

We present the transit timing variation (TTV) and planetary atmosphere analysis of the Neptune-mass planet HAT-P-26~b. We present a new set of 13 transit light curves from optical ground-based observations and combine them with light curves from the Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), and previously published ground-based data. We refine the planetary parameters of HAT-P-26 b and undertake a TTV analysis using 33 transits obtained over seven years. The TTV analysis shows an amplitude signal of 1.98 $\pm$ 0.05 minutes, which could result from the presence of an additional $0.02 M_{Jup}$ planet at the 1:2 mean-motion resonance orbit. Using a combination of transit depths spanning optical to near-infrared wavelengths, we find that the atmosphere of HAT-P-26 b contains $2.4^{+2.9}_{-1.6}$% of H$_2$O with a derived temperature of $590^{+60}_{-50}$ K.

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arXiv2023

Revisiting Galactic disk and spiral arms using open clusters

We use the largest open clusters catalogue in the post-Gaia era to provide the observational view of the Galactic disk. By compiling the physical parameters like age, distance, and kinematic information, we investigate the spatial distribution of the open clusters and revisit the spiral arms and other asymmetries in the Galactic disk. Using the young open clusters as a tracer of spiral arms, we map the spiral structure of the Galaxy and found that most of the clusters start migrating away from the spiral arms in about 10-20 Myr and fill the inter-arm regions as their age progress. Using the 3D kinematic information of 371 open star clusters, we derived different individual pattern speeds for spiral arms closely following the Milky Way rotation curve, hence favouring the transient nature of Milky Way spiral arms. The pattern rotation speeds of each spiral arm suggest that the spiral arms have not accelerated in the last 80 Myrs. Based on the distribution of open clusters younger than 700 Myr above or below the Galactic plane, we found a Solar offset of $z_\odot = 17.0\pm0.9$ pc north of the Galactic plane and estimated the scale height $z_h = 91.7 \pm 1.9$ pc from the Galactic plane.

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arXiv2023

Investigation of orbital period changes in 9 contact binaries

We present the results for orbital period analysis of 9 contact binaries (CBs). The photometric data analyzed in this work is collected using ARIES 1-m and 1.3-m telescopes as well as many ground and space-based photometric surveys. The precise orbital periods of the binary systems are studied using the long temporal baseline of data acquired over the last 12-15 years. The changes in the times of minimum brightness are calculated using (O-C) diagram. Out of these 9 CBs, four systems show no change in the orbital period with time while the remaining five systems show non-linear (O-C) variations with time. We derive mass transfer rates for these five CBs which suggests mass is being transferred from secondary to primary components in three systems while it is from primary to secondary components in the other two systems.

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arXiv2023

Characterization of Eclipsing Binary System EPIC 211982753

We present the physical parameters of an eclipsing binary system EPIC 211982753 derived through photometric and radial velocity data modeling. We make use of photometric data from NASA's K2 mission, ASAS-SN, and 1.3-m Devasthal Fast Optical Telescope (DFOT) while spectroscopic data have been acquired from the HERMES spectrograph at the 1.2-m Mercator telescope. The linear ephemeris for the system is updated using the K2 mission data. The synthetic light curve and radial velocity curves are generated with the help of eclipsing binary modeling package PHOEBE 1.0. The masses of primary and secondary components are determined as 1.64 $\pm$0.02 and 1.55 $\pm$0.01 $M_{\odot}$, respectively. The radius for primary and secondary components are estimated as 1.73 $\pm$0.02 and 1.47 $\pm$0.02 $R_{\odot}$, respectively. The distance of the system is calculated as 238 $\pm$ 4 pc. The eclipsing binary is found to be a total eclipsing system with a high mass ratio of q=0.94.

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arXiv2023

Peeping into recent star formation history of the Magellanic Clouds

Here, we study the distribution of Fundamental-mode Cepheids in the Magellanic Cloud as a function of their positions and ages using the data from the OGLE~IV survey. Age of the Cepheids are determined through well known period - age relations for the LMC and SMC Cepheids which are used to understand the star formation scenario in the Magellanic Cloud. The age distributions of the Cepheids in LMC and SMC show peak around $155^{+45}_{-35}$ Myr and $224^{+51}_{-42}$ Myr, respectively. This indicates that a major star formation event took place in the Magellanic Cloud at about 200\,Myr ago. It is believed that this event might have been triggered by a close encounter between the two components of the Magellanic Cloud or due to a possible tidal interaction between the Magellanic Cloud and Milky Way galaxy during one of its pericentric passages round the Milky Way. Cepheids are found to be asymmetrically distributed in both the LMC and SMC. A high-density clumpy structure is found to be located towards eastern side of the LMC and south-west direction of the SMC from their respective galactic centres.

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arXiv2022

Investigating stellar variability in the open cluster region NGC 381

We study variable stars in the field of the open cluster NGC 381 using photometric data observed over 27 nights and identify a total of 57 variable stars out of which five are member stars. The variable stars are classified based on their periods, amplitudes, light curve shapes, and locations in the H-R diagram. We found a rich variety of variable stars in the cluster. We identified a total of 10 eclipsing binaries out of which 2 are Algol type (EA) while 8 are W UMa type (EW) binaries. The estimated ages of these EW binaries are greater than 0.6 Gyr which is in agreement with the formation time constraint of > 0.6 Gyr on short-period eclipsing binaries. The estimation of the physical parameters of the three EW type binaries is done using PHOEBE model-fitting software. The pulsating variable stars include one each from δ Scuti and γ Dor variability class. We determined the pulsation modes of pulsating variables with the help of the FAMIAS package. We obtained 15 rotational variables stars comprising four dwarf stars identified on the basis log(g) versus log(Tef f ) diagram. These dwarf stars are found to have generally larger periods than the remaining rotational variables.

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arXiv2021

Long-term photometric and low-resolution spectroscopic analysis of five contact binaries

A photometric and spectroscopic investigation is performed on five W Ursae Majoris eclipsing binaries (EWs) J015818.6+260247 (hereinafter as J0158b), J073248.4+405538 (hereinafter as J0732), J101330.8+494846 (hereinafter as J1013), J132439.8+130747 (hereinafter as J1324) and J152450.7+245943 (hereinafter as J1524). The photometric data are collected with the help of the 1.3\,m Devasthal Fast Optical Telescope (DFOT), the 1.04\,m Sampurnanand Telescope (ST) and the TESS space mission. The low-resolution spectra of the 4\,m Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST) are used for spectroscopic analysis. The orbital period change of these systems is determined using our and previously available photometric data from different surveys. The orbital period of J1013 and J1524 is changing with a rate of $-2.552(\pm0.249)\times 10^{-7}$ days $yr^{-1}$ and $-6.792(\pm0.952)\times 10^{-8}$ days $yr^{-1}$, respectively, while others do not show any orbital period change. The orbital period change of J1013 and J1524 corresponds to a mass transfer rate of $2.199\times10^{-7} M_{\odot}\,yr^{-1}$ and $6.151\times10^{-8}M_{\odot}\,yr^{-1}$ from the primary to the secondary component in these systems. It is likely that angular momentum loss via magnetic braking may also be responsible for the observed orbital period change in the case of J1524. All systems have a mass-ratio lower than 0.5, except J0158b with a mass-ratio of 0.71. All the systems are shallow type contact binaries. The J0158b and J1524 are A-subtype while others are W-subtype. The $H_α$ emission line region is compared with template spectra prepared using two inactive stars with the help of STARMOD program. The J0158, J1324 and J1524 systems show excess emission in the residual spectra after subtraction of the template.

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arXiv2021

Photometric and Spectroscopic analysis of four contact binaries

We present the photometric and spectroscopic analysis of four W UMa binaries J015829.5+260333 (hereinafter as J0158), J030505.1+293443 (hereinafter as J0305), J102211.7+310022 (hereinafter as J1022) and KW Psc. The VRcIc band photometric observations are carried out with the 1.3-m Devasthal Fast Optical Telescope. For low resolution spectroscopy, we used 2-m Himalayan Chandra Telescope as well as the archival data from 4-m LAMOST survey. The systems J0158 and J0305 show a period increase rate of 5.26(+/-1.72)x10^-7 days/yr and 1.78(+/-1.52)x10^-6 days/yr, respectively. The period of J1022 is found to be decreasing with a rate of 4.22(+/-1.67)x10^-6 days/yr. The period analysis of KW Psc displays no change in its period. PHOEBE package is used for the light curve modeling and basic parameters are evaluated with the help of GAIA parallax. The asymmetry of light curves is explained with the assumption of cool spots at specific positions on one of the components of the system. On the basis of temperatures, mass ratios, fill-out factors and periods, the system J1022 is identified as W-subtype systems while the others show some mixed properties. To probe the chromospheric activities in these W UMa binaries, their spectra are compared with the known inactive stars spectra. The comparison shows emission in Hα, Hβand CaII. To understand the evolutionary status of these systems, the components are drawn in mass-radius and mass-luminosity planes with other well characterized binary systems. The secondary components of all the systems are away from ZAMS which indicates that secondary is more evolved than the primary component.

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arXiv2020

Variable stars in the field of intermediate-age open cluster NGC 559

This work presents the first long-term photometric variability survey of the intermediate-age open cluster NGC 559. Time-series V band photometric observations on 40 nights taken over more than three years with three different telescopes are analyzed to search for variable stars in the cluster. We investigate the data for the periodicity analysis and reveal 70 variable stars including 67 periodic variables in the target field, all of them are newly discovered. The membership analysis of the periodic variables reveal that 30 of them belong to the cluster and remaining 37 are identified as field variables. Out of the 67 periodic variables, 48 are short-period (P<1 day) variables and 19 are long-period (P>1 day) variables. The variable stars have periodicity between 3 hours to 41 days and their brightness ranges from V = 10.9 to 19.3 mag. The periodic variables belonging to the cluster are then classified into different variability types on the basis of observational properties such as shape of the light curves, periods, amplitudes, as well as their positions in the Hertzsprung-Russell (H-R) diagram. As a result, we identify one Algol type eclipsing binary, one possible blue straggler star, 3 slowly pulsating B type stars, 5 rotational variables, 11 non-pulsating variables, 2 FKCOM variables and remaining 7 are characterized as miscellaneous variables. We also identify three Eclipsing Binary stars (EBs) belonging to the field star population. The PHOEBE package is used to analyse the light curve of all four EBs in order to determine the parameters of the binary systems such as masses, temperatures and radii.

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arXiv2020

Photometric, kinematic and variability study in the young open cluster NGC 1960

We present a comprehensive photometric analysis of a young open cluster NGC 1960 (M36) along with the long-term variability study of this cluster. Based on the kinematic data of Gaia DR2, the membership probabilities of 3871 stars are ascertained in the cluster field among which 262 stars are found to be cluster members. Considering the kinematic and trigonometric measurements of the cluster members, we estimate a mean cluster parallax of 0.86+/-0.05 mas and mean proper motions of mu_RA = -0.143+/-0.008 mas/yr, mu_Dec = -3.395+/-0.008 mas/yr. We obtain basic parameters of the cluster such as E(B-V) = 0.24+/-0.02 mag, log(Age/yr)=7.44+/-0.02, and distance = 1.17+/-0.06 kpc. The mass function slope in the cluster for the stars in the mass range of 0.72-7.32 M_solar is found to be γ= -1.26+/-0.19. We find that mass segregation is still taking place in the cluster which is yet to be dynamically relaxed. This work also presents first high-precision variability survey in the central 13'x13' among which 72 are periodic variables. Among them, 59 are short-period (P<1 day)and 13 are long-period (P>1 day). The variable stars have V magnitudes ranging between 9.1 to 19.4 mag and periods between 41 minutes to 10.74 days. On the basis of their locations in the H-R diagram, periods and characteristic light curves, the 20 periodic variables belong to the cluster. We classified them as 2 delta-Scuti, 3 gamma-Dor, 2 slowly pulsating B stars, 5 rotational variables, 2 non-pulsating B stars and 6 as miscellaneous variables.

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arXiv2019

A Long-term photometric variability and spectroscopic study of luminous blue variable AF And in M31

We present photometric and spectroscopic analysis of the Hubble Sandage variable AF And in M31. The data has been taken under the Nainital Microlensing Survey during 1998-2002 and follow-up observations were carried out until 2011. During this period, photometric observations in Cousins R and I bands were obtained for 169 nights spanning over about 5000 days. AF And has shown a prominent outburst around mid-January in 1999 followed by a gradual decrease in brightness of about 1.5 mag in the next 3 years with a declining rate of ~0.0015 mag/day leading to a quiescent phase at the end of 2001. After lying low for about 9 years, AF And again went through a secondary outburst phase in late 2010 with an amplitude of 0.44 mag where it lasted for one year before fading back to its quiescence phase. The spectroscopic observations of AF And show prominent Balmer and He I emission lines along with the comparatively weaker FeII and [FeII] emissions. Asymmetric emission line profiles in its spectrum imply the mass loss rate of about 2.2x10^{-4} solar mass per yr through the stellar winds in the photosphere. Using SED fitting, we find the photospheric temperature of 33,000+/-3000 K during the visual minimum. Using a weak P Cygni profile of HeI emission line, the wind terminal velocity for AF And is found to be around 280-300 km/s.

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