1. |
- Osborn, H. P., et al.
(author)
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Uncovering the true periods of the young sub-Neptunes orbiting TOI-2076
- 2022
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In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 664
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Context. TOI-2076 is a transiting three-planet system of sub-Neptunes orbiting a bright (G = 8.9 mag), young (340 +/- 80 Myr) K-type star. Although a validated planetary system, the orbits of the two outer planets were unconstrained as only two non-consecutive transits were seen in TESS photometry. This left 11 and 7 possible period aliases for each. Aims. To reveal the true orbits of these two long-period planets, precise photometry targeted on the highest-probability period aliases is required. Long-term monitoring of transits in multi-planet systems can also help constrain planetary masses through TTV measurements. Methods. We used the MonoTools package to determine which aliases to follow, and then performed space-based and ground-based photometric follow-up of TOI-2076 c and d with CHEOPS, SAINT-EX, and LCO telescopes. Results. CHEOPS observations revealed a clear detection for TOI-2076 c at P = 21.01538(-0.00074)(+0.00084) d, and allowed us to rule out three of the most likely period aliases for TOI-2076 d. Ground-based photometry further enabled us to rule out remaining aliases and confirm the P = 35.12537 +/- 0.00067 d alias. These observations also improved the radius precision of all three sub-Neptunes to 2.518 +/- 0.036, 3.497 +/- 0.043, and 3.232 +/- 0.063 R-circle plus. Our observations also revealed a clear anti-correlated TTV signal between planets b and c likely caused by their proximity to the 2:1 resonance, while planets c and d appear close to a 5:3 period commensurability, although model degeneracy meant we were unable to retrieve robust TTV masses. Their inflated radii, likely due to extended H-He atmospheres, combined with low insolation makes all three planets excellent candidates for future comparative transmission spectroscopy with JWST.
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2. |
- Barros, S. C. C., et al.
(author)
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Detection of the tidal deformation of WASP-103b at 3σ with CHEOPS
- 2022
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In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 657
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Context. Ultra-short period planets undergo strong tidal interactions with their host star which lead to planet deformation and orbital tidal decay.Aims. WASP-103b is the exoplanet with the highest expected deformation signature in its transit light curve and one of the shortest expected spiral-in times. Measuring the tidal deformation of the planet would allow us to estimate the second degree fluid Love number and gain insight into the planet's internal structure. Moreover, measuring the tidal decay timescale would allow us to estimate the stellar tidal quality factor, which is key to constraining stellar physics.Methods. We obtained 12 transit light curves of WASP-103b with the CHaracterising ExOplanet Satellite (CHEOPS) to estimate the tidal deformation and tidal decay of this extreme system. We modelled the high-precision CHEOPS transit light curves together with systematic instrumental noise using multi-dimensional Gaussian process regression informed by a set of instrumental parameters. To model the tidal deformation, we used a parametrisation model which allowed us to determine the second degree fluid Love number of the planet. We combined our light curves with previously observed transits of WASP-103b with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and Spitzer to increase the signal-to-noise of the light curve and better distinguish the minute signal expected from the planetary deformation.Results. We estimate the radial Love number of WASP-103b to be h(f) = 1.59(-0.53)(+0.45). This is the first time that the tidal deformation is directly detected (at 3 sigma) from the transit light curve of an exoplanet. Combining the transit times derived from CHEOPS, HST, and Spitzer light curves with the other transit times available in the literature, we find no significant orbital period variation for WASP-103b. However, the data show a hint of an orbital period increase instead of a decrease, as is expected for tidal decay. This could be either due to a visual companion star if this star is bound, the Applegate effect, or a statistical artefact.Conclusions. The estimated Love number of WASP-103b is similar to Jupiter's. This will allow us to constrain the internal structure and composition of WASP-103b, which could provide clues on the inflation of hot Jupiters. Future observations with James Webb Space Telescope can better constrain the radial Love number of WASP-103b due to their high signal-to-noise and the smaller signature of limb darkening in the infrared. A longer time baseline is needed to constrain the tidal decay in this system.
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3. |
- Psaridi, A., et al.
(author)
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Discovery of two warm mini-Neptunes with contrasting densities orbiting the young K3V star TOI-815
- 2024
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In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 685
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We present the discovery and characterization of two warm mini-Neptunes transiting the K3V star TOI-815 in a K–M binary system. Analysis of its spectra and rotation period reveal the star to be young, with an age of 200+−400200 Myr. TOI-815b has a 11.2-day period and a radius of 2.94 ± 0.05 R+ with transits observed by TESS, CHEOPS, ASTEP, and LCOGT. The outer planet, TOI-815c, has a radius of 2.62 ± 0.10 R+, based on observations of three nonconsecutive transits with TESS; targeted CHEOPS photometry and radial velocity follow-up with ESPRESSO were required to confirm the 35-day period. ESPRESSO confirmed the planetary nature of both planets and measured masses of 7.6 ± 1.5 M+ (ρP = 1.64+−003331 g cm−3) and 23.5 ± 2.4 M+ (ρP = 7.2+−1110 g cm−3), respectively. Thus, the planets have very different masses, which is unusual for compact multi-planet systems. Moreover, our statistical analysis of mini-Neptunes orbiting FGK stars suggests that weakly irradiated planets tend to have higher bulk densities compared to those undergoing strong irradiation. This could be ascribed to their cooler atmospheres, which are more compressed and denser. Internal structure modeling of TOI-815b suggests it likely has a H-He atmosphere that constitutes a few percent of the total planet mass, or higher if the planet is assumed to have no water. In contrast, the measured mass and radius of TOI-815c can be explained without invoking any atmosphere, challenging planetary formation theories. Finally, we infer from our measurements that the star is viewed close to pole-on, which implies a spin-orbit misalignment at the 3σ level. This emphasizes the peculiarity of the system’s orbital architecture, and probably hints at an eventful dynamical history.
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4. |
- Garai, Z., et al.
(author)
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Refined parameters of the HD 22946 planetary system and the true orbital period of planet d
- 2023
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In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 674
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Context. Multi-planet systems are important sources of information regarding the evolution of planets. However, the long-period planets in these systems often escape detection. These objects in particular may retain more of their primordial characteristics compared to close-in counterparts because of their increased distance from the host star. HD 22946 is a bright (G = 8.13 mag) late F-type star around which three transiting planets were identified via Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) photometry, but the true orbital period of the outermost planet d was unknown until now. Aims. We aim to use the Characterising Exoplanet Satellite (CHEOPS) space telescope to uncover the true orbital period of HD 22946d and to refine the orbital and planetary properties of the system, especially the radii of the planets. Methods. We used the available TESS photometry of HD 22946 and observed several transits of the planets b, c, and d using CHEOPS. We identified two transits of planet d in the TESS photometry, calculated the most probable period aliases based on these data, and then scheduled CHEOPS observations. The photometric data were supplemented with ESPRESSO (Echelle SPectrograph for Rocky Exoplanets and Stable Spectroscopic Observations) radial velocity data. Finally, a combined model was fitted to the entire dataset in order to obtain final planetary and system parameters. Results. Based on the combined TESS and CHEOPS observations, we successfully determined the true orbital period of the planet d to be 47.42489 ± 0.00011 days, and derived precise radii of the planets in the system, namely 1.362 ± 0.040 R, 2.328 ± 0.039 R, and 2.607 ± 0.060 R for planets b, c, and d, respectively. Due to the low number of radial velocities, we were only able to determine 3σ upper limits for these respective planet masses, which are 13.71 M, 9.72 M, and 26.57 M. We estimated that another 48 ESPRESSO radial velocities are needed to measure the predicted masses of all planets in HD 22946. We also derived stellar parameters for the host star. Conclusions. Planet c around HD 22946 appears to be a promising target for future atmospheric characterisation via transmission spectroscopy. We can also conclude that planet d, as a warm sub-Neptune, is very interesting because there are only a few similar confirmed exoplanets to date. Such objects are worth investigating in the near future, for example in terms of their composition and internal structure.
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5. |
- Sulis, S., et al.
(author)
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HIP 41378 observed by CHEOPS: Where is planet d?
- 2024
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In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 686
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- HIP 41378 d is a long-period planet that has only been observed to transit twice, three years apart, with K2. According to stability considerations and a partial detection of the Rossiter- McLaughlin effect, Pd = 278.36 d has been determined to be the most likely orbital period. We targeted HIP 41378 d with CHEOPS at the predicted transit timing based on Pd = 278.36 d, but the observations show no transit. We find that large (> 22.4 h) transit timing variations (TTVs) could explain this non-detection during the CHEOPS observation window. We also investigated the possibility of an incorrect orbital solution, which would have major implications for our knowledge of this system. If Pd ≠ 278.36 d, the periods that minimize the eccentricity would be 101.22 d and 371.14 d. The shortest orbital period will be tested by TESS, which will observe HIP 41378 in Sector 88 starting in January 2025. Our study shows the importance of a mission like CHEOPS, which today is the only mission able to make long observations (i.e., from space) to track the ephemeris of long-period planets possibly affected by large TTVs.
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6. |
- Szabo, Gy M., et al.
(author)
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Transit timing variations of AU Microscopii b and c*
- 2022
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In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 659
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Here we report large-amplitude transit timing variations (TTVs) for AU Microcopii b and c as detected in combined TESS (2018, 2020) and CHEOPS (2020, 2021) transit observations. AU Mic is a young planetary system with a debris disk and two transiting warm Neptunes. A TTV on the order of several minutes was previously reported for AU Mic b, which was suggested to be an outcome of mutual perturbations between the planets in the system. In 2021, we observed AU Mic b (five transits) and c (three transits) with the CHEOPS space telescope to follow-up the TTV of AU Mic b and possibly detect a TTV for AU Mic c. When analyzing TESS and CHEOPS 2020-2021 measurements together, we find that a prominent TTV emerges with a full span of >= 23 min between the two TTV extrema. Assuming that the period change results from a periodic process -such as mutual perturbations- we demonstrate that the times of transits in the summer of 2022 are expected to be 30-85 min later than predicted by the available linear ephemeris.
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7. |
- Tuson, A., et al.
(author)
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TESS and CHEOPS discover two warm sub-Neptunes transiting the bright K-dwarf HD 15906
- 2023
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In: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. - 0035-8711 .- 1365-2966. ; 523:2, s. 3090-3118
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We report the discovery of two warm sub-Neptunes transiting the bright (G = 9.5 mag) K-dwarf HD 15906 (TOI 461, TIC 4646810). This star was observed by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) in sectors 4 and 31, revealing two small transiting planets. The inner planet, HD 15906 b, was detected with an unambiguous period but the outer planet, HD 15906 c, showed only two transits separated by ∼ 734 d, leading to 36 possible values of its period. We performed follow-up observations with the CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite (CHEOPS) to confirm the true period of HD 15906 c and improve the radius precision of the two planets. From TESS, CHEOPS, and additional ground-based photometry, we find that HD 15906 b has a radius of 2.24 ± 0.08 R and a period of 10.924709 ± 0.000032 d, whilst HD 15906 c has a radius of 2.93+−000607 R and a period of 21.583298+−00000055000052 d. Assuming zero bond albedo and full day-night heat redistribution, the inner and outer planet have equilibrium temperatures of 668 ± 13 K and 532 ± 10 K, respectively. The HD 15906 system has become one of only six multiplanet systems with two warm (700 K) sub-Neptune sized planets transiting a bright star (G ≤ 10 mag). It is an excellent target for detailed characterization studies to constrain the composition of sub-Neptune planets and test theories of planet formation and evolution.
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8. |
- Ulmer-Moll, S., et al.
(author)
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TOI-5678b: A 48-day transiting Neptune-mass planet characterized with CHEOPS and HARPS
- 2023
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In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 674
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Context. A large sample of long-period giant planets has been discovered thanks to long-term radial velocity surveys, but only a few dozen of these planets have a precise radius measurement. Transiting gas giants are crucial targets for the study of atmospheric composition across a wide range of equilibrium temperatures and, more importantly, for shedding light on the formation and evolution of planetary systems. Indeed, compared to hot Jupiters, the atmospheric properties and orbital parameters of cooler gas giants are unaltered by intense stellar irradiation and tidal effects. Aims. We aim to identify long-period planets in the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) data as single or duo-transit events. Our goal is to solve the orbital periods of TESS duo-transit candidates with the use of additional space-based photometric observations and to collect follow-up spectroscopic observations in order to confirm the planetary nature and measure the mass of the candidates. Methods. We use the CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite (CHEOPS) to observe the highest-probability period aliases in order to discard or confirm a transit event at a given period. Once a period is confirmed, we jointly model the TESS and CHEOPS light curves along with the radial velocity datasets to measure the orbital parameters of the system and obtain precise mass and radius measurements. Results. We report the discovery of a long-period transiting Neptune-mass planet orbiting the G7-type star TOI-5678. Our spectroscopic analysis shows that TOI-5678 is a star with a solar metallicity. The TESS light curve of TOI-5678 presents two transit events separated by almost two years. In addition, CHEOPS observed the target as part of its Guaranteed Time Observation program. After four non-detections corresponding to possible periods, CHEOPS detected a transit event matching a unique period alias. Follow-up radial velocity observations were carried out with the ground-based high-resolution spectrographs CORALIE and HARPS. Joint modeling reveals that TOI-5678 hosts a 47.73 day period planet, and we measure an orbital eccentricity consistent with zero at 2σ. The planet TOI-5678 b has a mass of 20 ± 4 Earth masses (M) and a radius of 4.91 ± 0.08 R Using interior structure modeling, we find that TOI-5678 b is composed of a low-mass core surrounded by a large H/He layer with a mass of 3.2±1.7-1.3 M. Conclusions. TOI-5678 b is part of a growing sample of well-characterized transiting gas giants receiving moderate amounts of stellar insolation (11 S). Precise density measurement gives us insight into their interior composition, and the objects orbiting bright stars are suitable targets to study the atmospheric composition of cooler gas giants.
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9. |
- Osborn, H. P., et al.
(author)
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Two warm Neptunes transiting HIP 9618 revealed by TESS and Cheops
- 2023
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In: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. - 0035-8711 .- 1365-2966. ; 523:2, s. 3069-3089
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- HIP 9618 (HD 12572, TOI-1471, TIC 306263608) is a bright (G = 9.0 mag) solar analogue. TESS photometry revealed the star to have two candidate planets with radii of 3.9 ± 0.044 R (HIP 9618 b) and 3.343 ± 0.039 R (HIP 9618 c). While the 20.77291 d period of HIP 9618 b was measured unambiguously, HIP 9618 c showed only two transits separated by a 680-d gap in the time series, leaving many possibilities for the period. To solve this issue, CHEOPS performed targeted photometry of period aliases to attempt to recover the true period of planet c, and successfully determined the true period to be 52.56349 d. High-resolution spectroscopy with HARPS-N, SOPHIE, and CAFE revealed a mass of 10.0 ± 3.1M for HIP 9618 b, which, according to our interior structure models, corresponds to a 6.8 ± 1.4 per cent gas fraction. HIP 9618 c appears to have a lower mass than HIP 9618 b, with a 3-sigma upper limit of <18M. Follow-up and archival RV measurements also reveal a clear long-term trend which, when combined with imaging and astrometric information, reveal a low-mass companion (0.08+−000512M☉) orbiting at 26.0+−111900 au. This detection makes HIP 9618 one of only five bright (K < 8 mag) transiting multiplanet systems known to host a planet with P > 50 d, opening the door for the atmospheric characterization of warm (Teq < 750 K) sub-Neptunes.
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10. |
- Engler, N., et al.
(author)
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The high-albedo, low polarization disk around HD 114082 that harbors a Jupiter-sized transiting planet Constraints from VLT/SPHERE completed with TESS, Gaia, and radial velocities
- 2023
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In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 672
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aims. We present new optical and near-infrared images of the debris disk around the F-type star HD 114082 in the Scorpius-Centaurus OB association. We obtained direct imaging observations and analyzed the TESS photometric time series data of this target with the goal of searching for planetary companions to HD 114082 and characterizing the morphology of the debris disk and the scattering properties of dust particles. Methods. HD 114082 was observed with the VLT/SPHERE instrument in different modes - the IRDIS camera in the K band (2.0-2.3 mu m) together with the IFS in the Y, J, and H bands (0.95-1.66 mu m) using the angular differential imaging technique as well as IRDIS in the H band (1.5-1.8 mu m) and ZIMPOL in the I_PRIME band (0.71-0.87 mu m) using the polarimetric differential imaging technique. To constrain the basic geometrical parameters of the disk and the scattering properties of dust grains, scattered light images were fitted with a 3D model for single scattering in an optically thin dust disk using a Markov chain Monte Carlo approach. We performed aperture photometry to derive the scattering and polarized phase functions, the polarization fraction, and the spectral scattering albedo for the dust particles in the disk. This method was also used to obtain the reflectance spectrum of the disk and, in turn, to retrieve the disk color and study the dust reflectivity in comparison to the debris disk HD 117214. We also performed the modeling of the HD 114082 light curve measured by TESS using models for planet transit and stellar activity to put constraints on the radius of the detected planet and its orbit. Last, we searched for additional planets in the system by combining archival radial velocity data, astrometry, and direct imaging. Results. The debris disk HD 114082 appears as an axisymmetric debris belt with a radius of similar to 0.37 '' (35 au), an inclination of similar to 83 degrees, and a wide inner cavity. Dust particles in HD 114082 have a maximum polarization fraction of similar to 17% and a higher reflectivity when compared to the debris disk HD 117214. This high reflectivity results in a spectral scattering albedo of similar to 0.65 for the HD 114082 disk at near-infrared wavelengths. The disk reflectance spectrum exhibits a red color at the position of the planetesimal belt and shows no obvious features, whereas that of HD 117214 might indicate the presence of CO2 ice. The analysis of TESS photometric data reveals a transiting planetary companion to HD 114082 with a radius of similar to 1 R-Jup on an orbit with a semimajor axis of 0.7 +/- 0.4 au. No additional planet was detected in the system when we combined the SPHERE images with constraints from astrometry and radial velocity. We reach deep sensitivity limits down to similar to 5 M-Jup at 50 au and similar to 10 M-Jup at 30 au from the central star.
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11. |
- Hobson, Melissa J., et al.
(author)
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TOI-199 b : A Well-characterized 100 day Transiting Warm Giant Planet with TTVs Seen from Antarctica
- 2023
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In: Astronomical Journal. - 0004-6256. ; 166:5
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We present the spectroscopic confirmation and precise mass measurement of the warm giant planet TOI-199 b. This planet was first identified in TESS photometry and confirmed using ground-based photometry from ASTEP in Antarctica including a full 6.5 hr long transit, PEST, Hazelwood, and LCO; space photometry from NEOSSat; and radial velocities (RVs) from FEROS, HARPS, CORALIE, and CHIRON. Orbiting a late G-type star, TOI-199 b has a 104.854 − 0.002 + 0.001 day period, a mass of 0.17 ± 0.02 M J, and a radius of 0.810 ± 0.005 R J. It is the first warm exo-Saturn with a precisely determined mass and radius. The TESS and ASTEP transits show strong transit timing variations (TTVs), pointing to the existence of a second planet in the system. The joint analysis of the RVs and TTVs provides a unique solution for the nontransiting companion TOI-199 c, which has a period of 273.69 − 0.22 + 0.26 days and an estimated mass of 0.28 − 0.01 + 0.02 M J . This period places it within the conservative habitable zone.
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