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At least 1,063 records · Page 59
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2014

Atmospheric characterization of five hot Jupiters with the wide field Camera 3 on the Hubble space telescope

We probe the structure and composition of the atmospheres of five hot Jupiter exoplanets using the Hubble Space Telescope Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) instrument. We use the G141 grism (1.1-1.7 μm) to study TrES-2b, TrES-4b, and CoRoT-1b in transit; TrES-3b in secondary eclipse; and WASP-4b in both. This wavelength region includes a predicted absorption feature from water at 1.4 μm, which we expect to be nondegenerate with the other molecules that are likely to be abundant for hydrocarbon-poor (e.g., solar composition) hot Jupiter atmospheres. We divide our wavelength regions into 10 bins. For each bin we produce a spectrophotometric light curve spanning the time of transit or eclipse. We correct these light curves for instrumental systematics without reference to an instrument model. For our transmission spectra, our mean 1σ precision per bin corresponds to variations of 2.1, 2.8, and 3.0 atmospheric scale heights for TrES-2b, TrES-4b, and CoRoT-1b, respectively. We find featureless spectra for these three planets. We are unable to extract a robust transmission spectrum for WASP-4b. For our dayside emission spectra, our mean 1σ precision per bin corresponds to a planet-to-star flux ratio of 1.5 × 10{sup –4} and 2.1 × 10{sup –4} for WASP-4b and TrES-3b, respectively. We combine these estimates with previous broadband measurements and conclude that for both planets isothermal atmospheres are disfavored. We find no signs of features due to water. We confirm that WFC3 is suitable for studies of transiting exoplanets, but in staring mode multivisit campaigns are necessary to place strong constraints on water abundance.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

FLIP-FLOP ACTIVITY ON THE W UMa-TYPE BINARY SYSTEM HH UMa

We report the discovery of flip-flop activity in a W UMa-type binary. A long-term multi-color photometric surveillance of HH UMa was carried out with three sets of light curves obtained over six weeks. The light curves of the eclipsing binary presented marked asymmetry and rapid interchange between the two light maxima. During the observations from 2014 February to 2014 April, the spot distortion phase jumped between phases 0.25 and 0.75 twice, a typical indication of flip-flop activity. We applied the Wilson–Devinney method to analyze the three light curves. The results indicate that HH UMa is a partially eclipsing contact system of A subtype with an obviously asymmetric light curve. The observed light curves can be modeled by assuming that there are two dark spots on the massive primary component that are almost persistently located around phases 0.25 and 0.75, but can interchange their intensities. We further suggest that a plausible scenario for explaining the properties of those dark spots is strong surface magnetic activity with a sudden reversal of the more active longitude. We therefore conclude that HH UMa is very likely a W UMa-type system displaying flip-flop activity.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

The V471 Tauri system: A multi-data-type probe

V471 Tauri, a white dwarf–red dwarf eclipsing binary (EB) in the Hyades, is well known for stimulating development of common envelope theory, whereby novae and other cataclysmic variables form from much wider binaries by catastrophic orbit shrinkage. Our evaluation of a recent imaging search that reported negative results for a much postulated third body shows that the object could have escaped detection or may have actually been seen. The balance of evidence continues to favor a brown dwarf companion about 12 AU from the EB. A recently developed algorithm finds unified solutions from three data types. New radial velocities (RVs) of the red dwarf and BVR{sub C}I{sub C} light curves are solved simultaneously along with white dwarf and red dwarf RVs from the literature, uvby data, the Microvariability and Oscillations of Stars mission light curve, and 40 years of eclipse timings. Precision-based weighting is the key to proper information balance among the various data sets. Timewise variation of modeled starspots allows unified solution of multiple data eras. Light-curve amplitudes strongly suggest decreasing spottedness from 1976 to about 1980, followed by approximately constant spot coverage from 1981 to 2005. An explanation is proposed for lack of noticeable variation in 1981 light curves, in terms of competition between spot and tidal variations. Photometric–spectroscopic distance is estimated. The red dwarf mass comes out larger than normal for a K2 V star, and even larger than adopted in several structure and evolution papers. An identified cause for this result is that much improved red dwarf RV curves now exist.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2013

A HIGHLY INCLINED ORBIT FOR THE 110 DAY PERIOD M-DWARF COMPANION KOI-368.01

We report the detection of asymmetry in the transit light curves of the 110 day period companion to KOI-368, a rapidly rotating A-dwarf. The significant distortion in the transit light curve is attributed to spin-orbit misalignment between the transiting companion and the gravity darkened host star. Our analysis was based on 11 long cadence and 2 short cadence transits of KOI-368.01 from the Kepler mission, as well as stellar parameters determined from our follow-up spectroscopic observation. We measured the true obliquity between the orbit normal and the stellar rotation axis to be 69{sub -10}{sup +9o}. We also find a secondary eclipse event with depth 29 ± 3 ppm at phase 0.59, from which the temperature of the companion is constrained to 3060 ± 50 K, indicating that KOI-368.01 is a late M-dwarf. The eccentricity is also calculated from the eclipse to be 0.1429 ± 0.0007. The long period, high obliquity, and low eccentricity of KOI-368.01 allow us to limit a number of proposed theories for the misalignment of binary systems.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2013

PLANETARY TRANSITS WITH THE ATACAMA LARGE MILLIMETER/SUBMILLIMETER ARRAY RADIO INTERFEROMETER

Planetary transits are commonly observed at visible wavelengths. Here we investigate the shape of a planetary transit observed at radio wavelengths. Solar maps at 17 GHz are used as a proxy for the stellar eclipse by several sizes of planets from super-Earths to hot Jupiters. The relative depth at mid-transit is the same as observed at visible wavelengths, but the limb brightening of the stellar disk at 17 GHz is clearly seen in the shape of the transit light curve. Moreover, when the planet occults an active region the depth of the transit decreases even further, depending on the brightness of the active region relative to the surrounding disk. For intense active region, with 50 times the brightness temperature of the surrounding disk, the decrease can supercede the unperturbed transit depth depending on the size of the eclipsing planet. For a super-Earth (R{sub p} = 0.02 R{sub s} ) crossing, the decrease in intensity is 0.04%, increasing to 0.86% in the case when a strong active region is present. On the other hand, for a hot Jupiter with R{sub p} = 0.17R{sub s} , the unperturbed transit depth is 3% increasing to 4.7% when covering this strong active region. This kind of behavior can be verified with observation of planetary transits with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array radio interferometer.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

A DARK SPOT ON A MASSIVE WHITE DWARF

We present the serendipitous discovery of eclipse-like events around the massive white dwarf SDSS J152934.98+292801.9 (hereafter J1529+2928). We selected J1529+2928 for time-series photometry based on its spectroscopic temperature and surface gravity, which place it near the ZZ Ceti instability strip. Instead of pulsations, we detect photometric dips from this white dwarf every 38 minutes. Follow-up optical spectroscopy observations with Gemini reveal no significant radial velocity variations, ruling out stellar and brown dwarf companions. A disintegrating planet around this white dwarf cannot explain the observed light curves in different filters. Given the short period, the source of the photometric dips must be a dark spot that comes into view every 38 minutes due to the rotation of the white dwarf. Our optical spectroscopy does not show any evidence of Zeeman splitting of the Balmer lines, limiting the magnetic field strength to B < 70 kG. Since up to 15% of white dwarfs display kG magnetic fields, such eclipse-like events should be common around white dwarfs. We discuss the potential implications of this discovery on transient surveys targeting white dwarfs, like the K2 mission and the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

The reproduction number and its probability distribution for stochastic viral dynamics

We consider stochastic models of individual infected cells. The reproduction number, R, is understood as a random variable representing the number of new cells infected by one initial infected cell in an otherwise susceptible (target cell) population. Variability in R results partly from heterogeneity in the viral burst size (the number of viral progeny generated from an infected cell during its lifetime), which depends on the distribution of cellular lifetimes and on the mechanism of virion release. We analyse viral dynamics models with an eclipse phase: the period of time after a cell is infected but before it is capable of releasing virions. The duration of the eclipse, or the subsequent infectious, phase is non-exponential, but composed of stages. We derive the probability distribution of the reproduction number for these viral dynamics models, and show it is a negative binomial distribution in the case of constant viral release from infectious cells, and under the assumption of an excess of target cells. In a deterministic model, the ultimate in-host establishment or extinction of the viral infection depends entirely on whether the mean reproduction number is greater than, or less than, one, respectively. Here, the probability of extinction is determined by the probability distribution of R, not simply its mean value. In particular, we show that in some cases the probability of infection is not an increasing function of the mean reproduction number.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

THE ARAUCARIA PROJECT: ON THE TIP OF THE RED GIANT BRANCH DISTANCE DETERMINATION TO THE MAGELLANIC CLOUDS

We present a precise optical and near-infrared determination of the tip of the red giant branch (TRGB) brightness in the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds (respectively, LMC and SMC). The commonly used calibrations of the absolute magnitude of the TRGB lead to an overestimation of the distance to the LMC and SMC in the K band, and an underestimation of the distance in the optical I band for both galaxies. Reported discrepancies are at the level of 0.2 mag, with respect to the very accurate distance determinations to both MCs based on late-type eclipsing binaries. The differential distances between the LMC and SMC obtained in the J and K bands, and for the bolometric brightness are consistent with each other, and with the results obtained from eclipsing binaries and other distance indicators.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

PHOTOMETRIC PROPERTIES OF SELECTED ALGOL-TYPE BINARIES. IX. V548 CYGNI

We present a new UV light curve of the Algol eclipsing binary V548 Cyg obtained with the Lunar Ultraviolet Telescope. We model the UV light curve together with two previously published (B and V) light curves, primary star radial velocities, and eclipse timings in a unified multi-data-type solution and determine orbital parameters and absolute dimensions. Timing residuals hint at the presence of a third star in the system. This star is possibly the source of the third light that is needed to obtain a good fit to each of the light curves simultaneously. The light–time oscillation in the timing residuals has a period of either ≈19 or ≈46 years. The third body orbit inclination would have to be low (23{sup ∘} or 15{sup ∘}, respectively) for the third star to have a mass of ≈1.5 M{sub ⊙}, which would be expected for a main-sequence star of color B−V≈0.32, as determined from the light curve solution. In an H–R diagram, the mass-gaining, primary component of V548 Cyg is located between the zero-age and terminal-age main sequence for solar composition stars, and close to the 0.4 Gyr isochrone.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

NEW PHOTOMETRICALLY VARIABLE MAGNETIC CHEMICALLY PECULIAR STARS IN THE ASAS-3 ARCHIVE

The magnetic Ap or CP2 stars are natural atomic and magnetic laboratories. Strictly periodic changes are observed in the spectra and brightness of these stars, which allow the derivation of rotational periods. Related to this group of objects are the He-weak (CP4) and He-rich stars, some of which also undergo brightness changes due to rotational modulation. Increasing the sample size of known rotational periods among CP2/4 stars is important and will contribute to our understanding of these objects and their evolution in time. We have compiled an extensive target list of CP2/4 stars from the General Catalog of Ap, HgMn, and Am stars, including several early-type (spectral types B/A) variables of undetermined type from the International Variable Star Index. We investigated our sample stars using publicly available observations from the ASAS-3 archive. Our previous efforts in this respect led to the discovery of 323 variable stars. Using a refined analysis approach, we were able to identify another 360 stars exhibiting photometric variability in ASAS-3 data. Summary data, folded light curves and, if available, information from the literature are presented for our final sample, which is composed of 334 bona-fide α{sup 2} Canum Venaticorum (ACV) variables, 23 ACV candidates, and 3 eclipsing binary systems. Interesting and unusual objects are discussed in detail. In particular, we call attention to HD 66051 (V414 Pup), which is an eclipsing binary system showing obvious rotational modulation of the light curve due to the presence of an ACV variable in the system.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

3.6 and 4.5 μm Spitzer phase curves of the highly irradiated hot jupiters WASP-19b and HAT-P-7b

We analyze full-orbit phase curve observations of the transiting hot Jupiters WASP-19b and HAT-P-7b at 3.6 and 4.5 μm, obtained using the Spitzer Space Telescope. For WASP-19b, we measure secondary eclipse depths of 0.485%±0.024% and 0.584%±0.029% at 3.6 and 4.5 μm, which are consistent with a single blackbody with effective temperature 2372 ± 60 K. The measured 3.6 and 4.5 μm secondary eclipse depths for HAT-P-7b are 0.156%±0.009% and 0.190%±0.006%, which are well described by a single blackbody with effective temperature 2667 ± 57 K. Comparing the phase curves to the predictions of one-dimensional and three-dimensional atmospheric models, we find that WASP-19b’s dayside emission is consistent with a model atmosphere with no dayside thermal inversion and moderately efficient day–night circulation. We also detect an eastward-shifted hotspot, which suggests the presence of a superrotating equatorial jet. In contrast, HAT-P-7b’s dayside emission suggests a dayside thermal inversion and relatively inefficient day–night circulation; no hotspot shift is detected. For both planets, these same models do not agree with the measured nightside emission. The discrepancies in the model-data comparisons for WASP-19b might be explained by high-altitude silicate clouds on the nightside and/or high atmospheric metallicity, while the very low 3.6 μm nightside planetary brightness for HAT-P-7b may be indicative of an enhanced global C/O ratio. We compute Bond albedos of 0.38 ± 0.06 and 0 (<0.08 at 1σ) for WASP-19b and HAT-P-7b, respectively. In the context of other planets with thermal phase curve measurements, we show that WASP-19b and HAT-P-7b fit the general trend of decreasing day–night heat recirculation with increasing irradiation.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

TRANSITIONS IN THE CLOUD COMPOSITION OF HOT JUPITERS

Over a large range of equilibrium temperatures, clouds shape the transmission spectrum of hot Jupiter atmospheres, yet their composition remains unknown. Recent observations show that the Kepler light curves of some hot Jupiters are asymmetric: for the hottest planets, the light curve peaks before secondary eclipse, whereas for planets cooler than ∼1900 K, it peaks after secondary eclipse. We use the thermal structure from 3D global circulation models to determine the expected cloud distribution and Kepler light curves of hot Jupiters. We demonstrate that the change from an optical light curve dominated by thermal emission to one dominated by scattering (reflection) naturally explains the observed trend from negative to positive offset. For the cool planets the presence of an asymmetry in the Kepler light curve is a telltale sign of the cloud composition, because each cloud species can produce an offset only over a narrow range of effective temperatures. By comparing our models and the observations, we show that the cloud composition of hot Jupiters likely varies with equilibrium temperature. We suggest that a transition occurs between silicate and manganese sulfide clouds at a temperature near 1600 K, analogous to the L / T transition on brown dwarfs. The cold trapping of cloud species below the photosphere naturally produces such a transition and predicts similar transitions for other condensates, including TiO. We predict that most hot Jupiters should have cloudy nightsides, that partial cloudiness should be common at the limb, and that the dayside hot spot should often be cloud-free.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

WHITE-LIGHT FLARES ON CLOSE BINARIES OBSERVED WITH KEPLER

Based on Kepler data, we present the results of a search for white light flares on 1049 close binaries. We identify 234 flare binaries, of which 6818 flares are detected. We compare the flare-binary fraction in different binary morphologies (“detachedness”). The result shows that the fractions in over-contact and ellipsoidal binaries are approximately 10%–20% lower than those in detached and semi-detached systems. We calculate the binary flare activity level (AL) of all the flare binaries, and discuss its variations along the orbital period ( P {sub orb}) and rotation period ( P {sub rot}, calculated for only detached binaries). We find that the AL increases with decreasing P {sub orb} or P {sub rot}, up to the critical values at P {sub orb} ∼ 3 days or P {sub rot} ∼ 1.5 days, and thereafter the AL starts decreasing no matter how fast the stars rotate. We examine the flaring rate as a function of orbital phase in two eclipsing binaries on which a large number of flares are detected. It appears that there is no correlation between flaring rate and orbital phase in these two binaries. In contrast, when we examine the function with 203 flares on 20 non-eclipse ellipsoidal binaries, bimodal distribution of amplitude-weighted flare numbers shows up at orbital phases 0.25 and 0.75. Such variation could be larger than what is expected from the cross section modification.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Variable Stars Observed in the Galactic Disk by AST3-1 from Dome A, Antarctica

AST3-1 is the second-generation wide-field optical photometric telescope dedicated to time-domain astronomy at Dome A, Antarctica. Here, we present the results of an i -band images survey from AST3-1 toward one Galactic disk field. Based on time-series photometry of 92,583 stars, 560 variable stars were detected with i magnitude ≤16.5 mag during eight days of observations; 339 of these are previously unknown variables. We tentatively classify the 560 variables as 285 eclipsing binaries (EW, EB, and EA), 27 pulsating variable stars ( δ Scuti, γ Doradus, δ Cephei variable, and RR Lyrae stars), and 248 other types of variables (unclassified periodic, multiperiodic, and aperiodic variable stars). Of the eclipsing binaries, 34 show O’Connell effects. One of the aperiodic variables shows a plateau light curve and another variable shows a secondary maximum after peak brightness. We also detected a complex binary system with an RS CVn-like light-curve morphology; this object is being followed-up spectroscopically using the Gemini South telescope.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Photometric and Spectroscopic Observations of the Algol Type Binary V Triangle

Time-series, multi-color photometry and high-resolution spectra of the short-period eclipsing binary V Tri were obtained through observation. The completely covered light and radial velocity (RV) curves of the binary system are presented. All times of light minima derived from both photoelectric and CCD photometry were used to calculate the orbital period and new ephemerides of the eclipsing system. The analysis of the O − C diagram reveals that the orbital period is 0.58520481 days, decreasing at a rate of dP / dt = −7.80 × 10{sup −8} day yr{sup −1}. The mass transfer between the two components and the light-time-travel effect due to a third body could be used to explain the period decrease. However, a semi-detached configuration with the lower-mass component filling and the primary nearly filling each of their Roche lobes was derived from the synthesis of the light and RV curves by using the 2015 version of the Wilson–Devinney code. We consider the period decrease to be the nonconservative mass transfer from the secondary component to the primary and the mass loss of the system, which was thought to be an EB type, while it should be an EA type (semi-detached Algol-type) from our study. The masses, radii, and luminosities of the primary and secondary are 1.60 ± 0.07 M {sub ⊙}, 1.64 ± 0.02 R {sub ⊙}, and 14.14 ± 0.73 L {sub ⊙} and 0.74 ± 0.02 M {sub ⊙}, 1.23 ± 0.02 R {sub ⊙}, and 1.65 ± 0.05 L {sub ⊙}, respectively.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Time-series Spectroscopy of the Oscillating Algol-type Binary AB Cas

This study presents the high-resolution spectra of the eclipsing binary AB Cas with a δ Sct-type pulsating component, which were obtained using the Bohyunsan Optical Echelle Spectrograph in Korea. In this paper, the radial velocities for the primary and secondary stars were measured from a total of 27 spectra made during two nights in 2015 October. We derived accurate physical properties of the system for the first time by simultaneously analyzing our radial velocity curves together with previously published uvby light curves. Individual masses, radii, and effective temperatures of both components were determined to be M{sub 1}=2.01±0.02 M {sub ⊙} and M{sub 2}=0.37±0.02 M {sub ⊙}, R{sub 1}=1.84±0.02 R {sub ⊙} and R{sub 2}=1.69±0.03 R {sub ⊙}, and T{sub eff,1}=8080±170 K and T{sub eff,2}=4925±150 K, respectively. The results should be more accurate than previous photometric studies. We investigated the evolutionary history of AB Cas by comparing its physical parameters with stellar evolutionary models. The primary component is not a classical δ Sct pulsator but is the result of mass accretion transferred from the initial more massive star, which is the present secondary. This indicates that AB Cas is an oscillating Algol-type eclipsing binary with a low-mass and oversized secondary component filling its inner Roche lobe.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Evidence for Atmospheric Cold-trap Processes in the Noninverted Emission Spectrum of Kepler-13Ab Using HST /WFC3

We observed two eclipses of the Kepler-13A planetary system, on UT 2014 April 28 and UT 2014 October 13, in the near-infrared using Wide Field Camera 3 on the Hubble Space Telescope . By using the nearby binary stars Kepler-13BC as a reference, we were able to create a differential light curve for Kepler-13A that had little of the systematics typically present in HST /WFC3 spectrophotometry. We measure a broadband (1.1–1.65 μ m) eclipse depth of 734 ± 28 ppm and are able to measure the emission spectrum of the planet at R ≈ 50 with an average precision of 70 ppm. We find that Kepler-13Ab possesses a noninverted, monotonically decreasing vertical temperature profile. We exclude an isothermal profile and an inverted profile at more than 3 σ . We also find that the dayside emission of Kepler-13Ab appears generally similar to an isolated M7 brown dwarf at a similar effective temperature. Due to the relatively high mass and surface gravity of Kepler-13Ab, we suggest that the apparent lack of an inversion is due to cold-trap processes in the planet’s atmosphere. Using a toy model for where cold traps should inhibit inversions, as well as observations of other planets in this temperature range with measured emission spectra, we argue that with more detailed modeling and more observations we may be able to place useful constraints on the size of condensates on the daysides of hot Jupiters.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Interpretation of a Variable Reflection Nebula Associated with HBC 340 and HBC 341 in NGC 1333

We present multi-epoch, R -band imaging obtained from the Palomar Transient Factory of a small, fan-shaped reflection nebula in NGC 1333 that experiences prominent brightness fluctuations. Photometry of HBC 340 (K7e) and HBC 341 (M5e), a visual pair of late-type, young stellar objects lying near the apex of the nebula, demonstrates that while both are variable, the former has brightened by more than two magnitudes following a deep local minimum in 2014 September. Keck high-dispersion ( R ∼ 45,000–66,000), optical spectroscopy of HBC 340 suggests that the protostar is a spectroscopic binary (HBC 340Aa + HBC 340Ab). Both HBC 340 and HBC 341 exhibit strong H α and forbidden line emission, consistent with accretion and outflow. We conclude that the brightness fluctuations in the reflection nebula represent light echos produced by varying incident radiation emanating from HBC 340. The short-term variability observed in the protostar is attributed to irregular accretion activity, while correlated, dipping behavior on a several hundred day timescale may be due to eclipse-like events caused by orbiting circumstellar material. Archival Hubble Space Telescope imaging of the region reveals a second, faint (F814W ∼ 20.3 mag) companion to HBC 340 that lies 1.″02 (∼235 au) east of the protostar. If associated, this probable substellar mass object (20–50 Jupiter masses), HBC 340B, is likely unrelated to the observed brightness variations. The sustained brightening of HBC 340 since late 2014 can be explained by an EXor-like outburst, the recovery from a long duration eclipse event caused by obscuring circumstellar dust, or by the gradual removal of extincting material from along the line of sight. Our analysis here favors one of the extinction scenarios.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗