The On/Off nature of star-planet interactions in the HD 179949 and υ And systems

Abstract

AbstractEvidence suggesting an observable magnetic interaction between a star and its hot Jupiter (Porb< 7 days,a< 0.1 AU,Mpsini> 0.2MJ) appears as a cyclic variation of stellar activity synchronized to the planet's orbit. HD 179949 has been observed almost every year since 2001. Synchronicity of the Ca II H & K emission with the orbit is clearly seen in four out of six epochs, while rotational modulation withProt=7 days is apparent in the other two seasons. We observe a similar phenomenon on υ And, which displays rotational modulation (Prot=12 days) in September 2005, while in 2002 and 2003 variations appear to correlate with the planet's orbital period. This on/off nature of star-planet interaction (SPI) in the two systems is likely a function of the changing stellar magnetic field structure throughout its activity cycle. The tentative correlation between this activity in the 13 stars we have observed to date and the ratio ofMpsinito the planet's rotation period, a quantity proportional to the hot Jupiter's magnetic moment, first presented in Shkolniket al. (2005) remains viable. This work furthers the characterization of SPI, improving its potential as a probe of extrasolar planetary magnetic fields.