SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “planet”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,063 records · Page 59

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

DOE OSTI2012

ON THE SURVIVAL OF BROWN DWARFS AND PLANETS ENGULFED BY THEIR GIANT HOST STAR

The recent discovery of two Earth-mass planets in close orbits around an evolved star has raised questions as to whether substellar companions can survive encounters with their host stars. We consider whether these companions could have been stripped of significant amounts of mass during the phase when they orbited through the dense inner envelopes of the giant. We apply the criterion derived by Murray et al. for disruption of gravitationally bound objects by ram pressure to determine whether mass loss may have played a role in the histories of these and other recently discovered low-mass companions to evolved stars. We find that the brown dwarf and Jovian-mass objects circling WD 0137-349, SDSS J08205+0008, and HIP 13044 are most unlikely to have lost significant mass during the common envelope phase. However, the Earth-mass planets found around KIC 05807616 could well be the remnants of one or two Jovian-mass planets that lost extensive mass during the common envelope phase.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2013

KEPLER'S OPTICAL SECONDARY ECLIPSE OF HAT-P-7b AND PROBABLE DETECTION OF PLANET-INDUCED STELLAR GRAVITY DARKENING

We present observations spanning 355 orbital phases of HAT-P-7 observed by Kepler from 2009 May to 2011 March (Q1-9). We find a shallower secondary eclipse depth than initially announced, consistent with a low optical albedo and detection of nearly exclusively thermal emission, without a reflected light component. We find an approximately 10 ppm perturbation to the average transit light curve near phase -0.02 that we attribute to a temperature decrease on the surface of the star, phased to the orbit of the planet. This cooler spot is consistent with planet-induced gravity darkening, slightly lagging the sub-planet position due to the finite response time of the stellar atmosphere. The brightness temperature of HAT-P-7b in the Kepler bandpass is T{sub B} = 2733 {+-} 21 K and the amplitude of the deviation in stellar surface temperature due to gravity darkening is approximately -0.18 K. The detection of the spot is not statistically unequivocal due its small amplitude, though additional Kepler observations should be able to verify the astrophysical nature of the anomaly.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2013

STELLAR ROTATION PERIODS OF THE KEPLER OBJECTS OF INTEREST: A DEARTH OF CLOSE-IN PLANETS AROUND FAST ROTATORS

We present a large sample of stellar rotation periods for Kepler Objects of Interest, based on three years of public Kepler data. These were measured by detecting periodic photometric modulation caused by star spots, using an algorithm based on the autocorrelation function of the light curve, developed recently by McQuillan, Aigrain and Mazeh (2013). Of the 1919 main-sequence exoplanet hosts analyzed, robust rotation periods were detected for 737. Comparing the detected stellar periods to the orbital periods of the innermost planet in each system reveals a notable lack of close-in planets around rapid rotators. It appears that only slowly spinning stars with rotation periods longer than 5-10 days host planets on orbits shorter than 2 or 3 days, although the mechanism(s) that lead(s) to this is not clear.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2014

ABIOTIC OXYGEN-DOMINATED ATMOSPHERES ON TERRESTRIAL HABITABLE ZONE PLANETS

Detection of life on other planets requires identification of biosignatures, i.e., observable planetary properties that robustly indicate the presence of a biosphere. One of the most widely accepted biosignatures for an Earth-like planet is an atmosphere where oxygen is a major constituent. Here we show that lifeless habitable zone terrestrial planets around any star type may develop oxygen-dominated atmospheres as a result of water photolysis, because the cold trap mechanism that protects H{sub 2}O on Earth is ineffective when the atmospheric inventory of non-condensing gases (e.g., N{sub 2}, Ar) is low. Hence the spectral features of O{sub 2} and O{sub 3} alone cannot be regarded as robust signs of extraterrestrial life.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2014

HIGH PRECISION ABUNDANCES IN THE 16 Cyg BINARY SYSTEM: A SIGNATURE OF THE ROCKY CORE IN THE GIANT PLANET

We study the stars of the binary system 16 Cygni to determine with high precision their chemical composition. Knowing that the component B has a detected planet of at least 1.5 Jupiter masses, we investigate if there are chemical peculiarities that could be attributed to planet formation around this star. We perform a differential abundance analysis using high resolution (R = 81,000) and high S/N (∼700) CFHT/ESPaDOnS spectra of the 16 Cygni stars and the Sun; the latter was obtained from light reflected of asteroids. We determine differential abundances of the binary components relative to the Sun and between components A and B as well. We achieve a precision of σ ≲ 0.005 dex and a total error ∼0.01 dex for most elements. The effective temperatures and surface gravities found for 16 Cyg A and B are T {sub eff} = 5830 ± 7 K, log g = 4.30 ± 0.02 dex, and T {sub eff} = 5751 ± 6 K, log g = 4.35 ± 0.02 dex, respectively. The component 16 Cyg A has a metallicity ([Fe/H]) higher by 0.047 ± 0.005 dex than 16 Cyg B, as well as a microturbulence velocity higher by 0.08 km s{sup –1}. All elements show abundance differences between the binary components, but while the volatile difference is about 0.03 dex, the refractories differ by more and show a trend with condensation temperature, which could be interpreted as the signature of the rocky accretion core of the giant planet 16 Cyg Bb. We estimate a mass of about 1.5-6 M {sub ⊕} for this rocky core, in good agreement with estimates of Jupiter's core.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2014

OVERCOMING THE METER BARRIER AND THE FORMATION OF SYSTEMS WITH TIGHTLY PACKED INNER PLANETS (STIPs)

We present a solution to the long outstanding meter barrier problem in planet formation theory. As solids spiral inward due to aerodynamic drag, they will enter disk regions that are characterized by high temperatures, densities, and pressures. High partial pressures of rock vapor can suppress solid evaporation, and promote collisions between partially molten solids, allowing rapid growth. This process should be ubiquitous in planet-forming disks, which may be evidenced by the abundant class of Systems with Tightly packed Inner Planets discovered by the NASA Kepler Mission.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2016

DISCOVERY OF A GAS GIANT PLANET IN MICROLENSING EVENT OGLE-2014-BLG-1760

We present the analysis of the planetary microlensing event OGLE-2014-BLG-1760, which shows a strong light-curve signal due to the presence of a Jupiter mass ratio planet. One unusual feature of this event is that the source star is quite blue, with V-I=1.48±0.08. This is marginally consistent with a source star in the Galactic bulge, but it could possibly indicate a young source star on the far side of the disk. Assuming a bulge source, we perform a Bayesian analysis assuming a standard Galactic model, and this indicates that the planetary system resides in or near the Galactic bulge at D{sub L}=6.9±1.1 kpc. It also indicates a host-star mass of M{sub ·}=0.51{sub -0.28}{sup +0.44}M{sub ⊙}, a planet mass of m{sub p}=0.56{sub -0.26}{sup +0.34}M{sub J}, and a projected star–planet separation of a{sub ⊥}=1.75{sub -0.33}{sup +0.34} au. The lens–source relative proper motion is μ{sub rel}=6.5±1.1 mas yr{sup -1}. The lens (and stellar host star) is estimated to be very faint compared to the source star, so it is most likely that it can be detected only when the lens and source stars start to separate. Due to the relatively high relative proper motion, the lens and source will be resolved to about ~46 mas in 6–8 yr after the peak magnification. So, by 2020–2022, we can hope to detect the lens star with deep, high-resolution images.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2016

SOLAR OBLIQUITY INDUCED BY PLANET NINE: SIMPLE CALCULATION

Bailey et al. and Gomes et al. recently suggested that the 6° misalignment between the Sun’s rotational equator and the orbital plane of the major planets may be produced by forcing from the hypothetical Planet Nine on an inclined orbit. Here, we present a simple yet accurate calculation of the effect, which provides a clear description of how the Sun’s spin orientation depends on the property of Planet Nine in this scenario.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2016

DUST COAGULATION IN THE VICINITY OF A GAP-OPENING JUPITER-MASS PLANET

We analyze the coagulation of dust in and around a gap opened by a Jupiter-mass planet. To this end, we carry out a high-resolution magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulation of the gap environment, which is turbulent due to the magnetorotational instability. From the MHD simulation, we obtain values of the gas velocities, densities, and turbulent stresses (a) close to the gap edge, (b) in one of the two gas streams that accrete onto the planet, (c) inside the low-density gap, and (d) outside the gap. The MHD values are then input into a Monte Carlo dust-coagulation algorithm which models grain sticking and compaction. We also introduce a simple implementation for bouncing, for comparison purposes. We consider two dust populations for each region: one whose initial size distribution is monodisperse, with monomer radius equal to 1 μ m, and another one whose initial size distribution follows the Mathis–Rumpl–Nordsieck distribution for interstellar dust grains, with an initial range of monomer radii between 0.5 and 10 μ m. Without bouncing, our Monte Carlo calculations show steady growth of dust aggregates in all regions, and the mass-weighted (m-w) average porosity of the initially monodisperse population reaches extremely high final values of 98%. The final m-w porosities in all other cases without bouncing range between 30% and 82%. The efficiency of compaction is due to high turbulent relative speeds between dust particles. When bouncing is introduced, growth is slowed down in the planetary wake and inside the gap. Future studies will need to explore the effect of different planet masses and electric charge on grains.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2016

High contrast imaging with Spitzer: constraining the frequency of giant planets out to 1000 au separations

We report results of a re-analysis of archival Spitzer IRAC direct imaging surveys encompassing a variety of nearby stars. Our sample is generated from the combined observations of 73 young stars (median age, distance, spectral type = 85 Myr, 23.3 pc, G5) and 48 known exoplanet host stars with unconstrained ages (median distance, spectral type = 22.6 pc, G5). While the small size of Spitzer provides a lower resolution than 8 m class AO-assisted ground-based telescopes, which have been used for constraining the frequency of 0.5–13 M {sub J} planets at separations of 10–10{sup 2} au, its exquisite infrared sensitivity provides the ability to place unmatched constraints on the planetary populations at wider separations. Here we apply sophisticated high-contrast techniques to our sample in order to remove the stellar point-spread function and to open up sensitivity to planetary mass companions down to 5″ separations. This enables sensitivity to 0.5–13 M {sub J} planets at physical separations on the order of 10{sup 2}–10{sup 3} au, allowing us to probe a parameter space that has not previously been systematically explored to any similar degree of sensitivity. Based on a color and proper motion analysis, we do not record any planetary detections. Exploiting this enhanced survey sensitivity, employing Monte Carlo simulations with a Bayesian approach, and assuming a mass distribution of dn/dm∝m{sup −1.31}, we constrain (at 95% confidence) a population of 0.5–13 M {sub J} planets at separations of 100–1000 au with an upper frequency limit of 9%.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2016

REVISITING THE MICROLENSING EVENT OGLE 2012-BLG-0026: A SOLAR MASS STAR WITH TWO COLD GIANT PLANETS

Two cold gas giant planets orbiting a G-type main-sequence star in the galactic disk were previously discovered in the high-magnification microlensing event OGLE-2012-BLG-0026. Here, we present revised host star flux measurements and a refined model for the two-planet system using additional light curve data. We performed high angular resolution adaptive optics imaging with the Keck and Subaru telescopes at two epochs while the source star was still amplified. We detected the lens flux, H = 16.39 ± 0.08. The lens, a disk star, is brighter than predicted from the modeling in the original study. We revisited the light curve modeling using additional photometric data from the B and C telescope in New Zealand and CTIO 1.3 m H -band light curve. We then include the Keck and Subaru adaptive optic observation constraints. The system is composed of a ∼4–9 Gyr lens star of M {sub lens} = 1.06 ± 0.05 M {sub ⊙} at a distance of D {sub lens} = 4.0 ± 0.3 kpc, orbited by two giant planets of 0.145 ± 0.008 M {sub Jup} and 0.86 ± 0.06 M {sub Jup}, with projected separations of 4.0 ± 0.5 au and 4.8 ± 0.7 au, respectively. Because the lens is brighter than the source star by 16 ± 8% in H, with no other blend within one arcsec, it will be possible to estimate its metallicity using subsequent IR spectroscopy with 8–10 m class telescopes. By adding a constraint on the metallicity it will be possible to refine the age of the system.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2016

A candidate young massive planet in orbit around the classical T Tauri star CI Tau

The ∼2 Myr old classical T Tauri star CI Tau shows periodic variability in its radial velocity (RV) variations measured at infrared (IR) and optical wavelengths. We find that these observations are consistent with a massive planet in a ∼9 day period orbit. These results are based on 71 IR RV measurements of this system obtained over five years, and on 26 optical RV measurements obtained over nine years. CI Tau was also observed photometrically in the optical on 34 nights over ∼one month in 2012. The optical RV data alone are inadequate to identify an orbital period, likely the result of star spot and activity-induced noise for this relatively small data set. The infrared RV measurements reveal significant periodicity at ∼9 days. In addition, the full set of optical and IR RV measurements taken together phase coherently and with equal amplitudes to the ∼9 day period. Periodic RV signals can in principle be produced by cool spots, hotspots, and reflection of the stellar spectrum off the inner disk, in addition to resulting from a planetary companion. We have considered each of these and find the planet hypothesis most consistent with the data. The RV amplitude yields an Msin i of ∼8.1 M {sub Jup}; in conjunction with a 1.3 mm continuum emission measurement of the circumstellar disk inclination from the literature, we find a planet mass of ∼11.3 M {sub Jup}, assuming alignment of the planetary orbit with the disk.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2016

Ultraharmonics and secondary spiral wakes induced by a planet

We investigate the ultraharmonics response of a protoplanetary disk to an orbiting planet. We find that the multi-armed spiral structure can be excited by the higher-order forcing due to nonlinear mode-coupling. In particular, the preferential excitation of the gas response with a small azimuthal wavenumber (m∼2) is a direct consequence of mode-coupling among linear waves. The presence of multiple Fourier components in a planet’s potential is a distinct feature compared to the previous studies in the context of spiral galaxies, which turns out to be crucial for the generation of ultraharmonics waves. This analysis may shed light on the understanding of some results regarding the spiral structures excited by a massive planet.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2017

OGLE-2012-BLG-0950Lb: THE FIRST PLANET MASS MEASUREMENT FROM ONLY MICROLENS PARALLAX AND LENS FLUX

We report the discovery of a microlensing planet OGLE-2012-BLG-0950Lb with a planet/host mass ratio of q≃2×10{sup −4}. A long term distortion detected in both MOA and OGLE light curve can be explained by the microlens parallax due to the Earth’s orbital motion around the Sun. Although the finite source effect is not detected, we obtain the lens flux by the high resolution Keck AO observation. Combining the microlens parallax and the lens flux reveal the nature of the lens: a planet with mass of M{sub p}=35{sub −9}{sup +17}M{sub ⊕} is orbiting around an M-dwarf with mass of M{sub host}=0.56{sub −0.16}{sup +0.12}M{sub ⊙} with a planet-host projected separation of r{sub ⊥}=2.7{sub −0.7}{sup +0.6} au located at D{sub L}=3.0{sub −1.1}{sup +0.8} kpc from us. This is the first mass measurement from only microlens parallax and the lens flux without the finite source effect. In the coming space observation-era with Spitzer, K2, Euclid, and WFIRST, we expect many such events for which we will not be able to measure any finite source effect. This work demonstrates an ability of mass measurements in such events.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2017

THE STELLAR OBLIQUITY, PLANET MASS, AND VERY LOW ALBEDO OF QATAR-2 FROM K2 PHOTOMETRY

The Qatar-2 transiting exoplanet system was recently observed in short-cadence mode by Kepler as part of K2 Campaign 6. We identify dozens of starspot-crossing events, when the planet eclipses a relatively dark region of the stellar photosphere. The observed patterns of these events demonstrate that the planet always transits over the same range of stellar latitudes and, therefore, that the stellar obliquity is less than about 10°. We support this conclusion with two different modeling approaches: one based on explicit identification and timing of the events and the other based on fitting the light curves with a spotted-star model. We refine the transit parameters and measure the stellar rotation period (18.5 ± 1.9 days), which corresponds to a “gyrochronological” age of 1.4 ± 0.3 Gyr. Coherent flux variations with the same period as the transits are well modeled as the combined effects of ellipsoidal light variations (15.4 ± 4.8 ppm) and Doppler boosting (14.6 ± 5.1 ppm). The magnitudes of these effects correspond to a planetary mass of 2.6±0.9 M{sub Jup} and 3.9±1.5 M{sub Jup}, respectively. Both of these independent mass estimates agree with the mass determined by the spectroscopic Doppler technique (2.487±0.086 M{sub Jup}). No occultations are detected, giving a 2σ upper limit of 0.06 on the planet’s visual geometric albedo. We find no evidence for orbital decay, although we are only able to place a weak lower bound on the relevant tidal quality factor: Q{sub ⋆}{sup ′}>1.5×10{sup 4} (95% confidence).

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2017

OGLE-2013-BLG-1761Lb: A Massive Planet around an M/K Dwarf

We report the discovery and the analysis of the planetary microlensing event, OGLE-2013-BLG-1761. There are some degenerate solutions in this event because the planetary anomaly is only sparsely sampled. However, the detailed light-curve analysis ruled out all stellar binary models and shows the lens to be a planetary system. There is the so-called close/wide degeneracy in the solutions with the planet/host mass ratio of q ∼ (7.0 ± 2.0) × 10{sup −3} and q ∼ (8.1 ± 2.6) × 10{sup −3} with the projected separation in Einstein radius units of s = 0.95 (close) and s = 1.18 (wide), respectively. The microlens parallax effect is not detected, but the finite source effect is detected. Our Bayesian analysis indicates that the lens system is located D{sub L}=6.9{sub −1.2}{sup +1.0} kpc away from us and the host star is an M/K dwarf with a mass of M{sub L}=0.33{sub −0.19}{sup +0.32} M{sub ⊙} orbited by a super-Jupiter mass planet with a mass of m{sub P}=2.7{sub −1.5}{sup +2.5} M{sub Jup} at the projected separation of a{sub ⊥}=1.8{sub −0.5}{sup +0.5} au. The preference of the large lens distance in the Bayesian analysis is due to the relatively large observed source star radius. The distance and other physical parameters may be constrained by the future high-resolution imaging by large ground telescopes or HST. If the estimated lens distance is correct, then this planet provides another sample for testing the claimed deficit of planets in the Galactic bulge.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2017

MOA-2012-BLG-505Lb: A Super-Earth-mass Planet That Probably Resides in the Galactic Bulge

We report the discovery of a super-Earth-mass planet in the microlensing event MOA-2012-BLG-505. This event has the second shortest event timescale of t {sub E} = 10 ± 1 days where the observed data show evidence of a planetary companion. Our 15 minute high cadence survey observation schedule revealed the short subtle planetary signature. The system shows the well known close/wide degeneracy. The planet/host-star mass ratio is q = 2.1 × 10{sup −4} and the projected separation normalized by the Einstein radius is s = 1.1 or 0.9 for the wide and close solutions, respectively. We estimate the physical parameters of the system by using a Bayesian analysis and find that the lens consists of a super-Earth with a mass of 6.7{sub −3.6}{sup +10.7} M{sub ⊕} orbiting around a brown dwarf or late-M-dwarf host with a mass of 0.10{sub −0.05}{sup +0.16} M{sub ⊙} with a projected star–planet separation of 0.9{sub −0.2}{sup +0.3} au. The system is at a distance of 7.2 ± 1.1 kpc, i.e., it is likely to be in the Galactic bulge. The small angular Einstein radius (θ {sub E} = 0.12 ± 0.02 mas) and short event timescale are typical for a low-mass lens in the Galactic bulge. Such low-mass planetary systems in the Bulge are rare because the detection efficiency of planets in short microlensing events is relatively low. This discovery may suggest that such low-mass planetary systems are abundant in the Bulge and currently on-going high cadence survey programs will detect more such events and may reveal an abundance of such planetary systems.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2018

Dynamical Analysis of the Circumprimary Planet in the Eccentric Binary System HD 59686

We present a detailed orbital and stability analysis of the HD 59686 binary-star planet system. HD 59686 is a single-lined, moderately close (a {sub B} = 13.6 au) eccentric (e {sub B} = 0.73) binary, where the primary is an evolved K giant with mass M = 1.9 M {sub ⊙} and the secondary is a star with a minimum mass of m {sub B} = 0.53 M {sub ⊙}. Additionally, on the basis of precise radial velocity (RV) data, a Jovian planet with a minimum mass of m {sub p} = 7 M {sub Jup}, orbiting the primary on a nearly circular S-type orbit with e {sub p} = 0.05 and a {sub p} = 1.09 au, has recently been announced. We investigate large sets of orbital fits consistent with HD 59686's RV data by applying bootstrap and systematic grid search techniques coupled with self-consistent dynamical fitting. We perform long-term dynamical integrations of these fits to constrain the permitted orbital configurations. We find that if the binary and the planet in this system have prograde and aligned coplanar orbits, there are narrow regions of stable orbital solutions locked in a secular apsidal alignment with the angle between the periapses, Δω, librating about 0°. We also test a large number of mutually inclined dynamical models in an attempt to constrain the three-dimensional orbital architecture. We find that for nearly coplanar and retrograde orbits with mutual inclination 145° ≲ Δi ≤ 180°, the system is fully stable for a large range of orbital solutions.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗