Solar-type Stars Research Articles

The X-ray activity of F stars with hot Jupiters: KELT-24 versus WASP-18

X-rays emitted by the coronae of solar-type stars are a feature present in up to late-A types during the main sequence phase. F stars, either with or without hot Jupiters, are usually X-ray emitters. The very low level of X-ray emission of the F5 star WASP-18 despite its relatively young age and spectral type is thus quite peculiar. In this paper we compare the X-ray activity of KELT-24 to that of WASP-18. KELT-24 is an F5 star nearly coeval to the Hyades stars that hosts a 5 MJup in a 5.6-day period orbit. The properties of the KELT-24 system are similar to, although less extreme than, those of WASP-18. We observed KELT-24 with XMM-Newton for a total of 43 ks in order to test if the X-ray activity of this star is depressed by the interaction with its massive hot Jupiter, as is the case of WASP-18. KELT-24 is detected in combined EPIC images with a high significance level. Its average coronal spectrum is well described by a cool component at 0.36 keV and a hotter component at 0.98 keV. We detected a flare with a duration of about 2 ks, during which the coronal temperature reached 3.5 keV. The unabsorbed quiescent flux in 0.3–8.0 keV is ∼1.33 × 10−13 erg s−1 cm−2, corresponding to a luminosity of 1.5 × 1029 erg s−1 at the distance of the star. The luminosity is well within the range of the typical X-ray luminosity of F stars in Hyades, which are coeval. We conclude that the activity of KELT-24 appears normal, as expected, and is not affected by any star–planet interaction. From the analysis of TESS light curves, we infer a distribution of optical flares for KELT-24 and WASP-18. Small optical flickering similar to flares is recognized in WASP-18 but at lower levels of energy and amplitude than in KELT-24. We discuss the causes of the low activity of WASP-18. Either WASP-18b could hamper the formation of a corona bright in X-rays in its host star through some form of tidal interaction, or the star has entered a minimum of activity similar to the solar Maunder minimum. This latter hypothesis would make WASP-18 among the few candidates showing such a quench of stellar activity.

WASP-131 b with ESPRESSO – I. A bloated sub-Saturn on a polar orbit around a differentially rotating solar-type star

ABSTRACT In this paper, we present observations of two high-resolution transit data sets obtained with ESPRESSO of the bloated sub-Saturn planet WASP-131 b. We have simultaneous photometric observations with NGTS and EulerCam. In addition, we utilized photometric light curves from TESS, WASP, EulerCam, and TRAPPIST of multiple transits to fit for the planetary parameters and update the ephemeris. We spatially resolve the stellar surface of WASP-131 utilizing the Reloaded Rossiter McLaughlin technique to search for centre-to-limb convective variations, stellar differential rotation, and to determine the star–planet obliquity for the first time. We find WASP-131 is misaligned on a nearly retrograde orbit with a projected obliquity of $\lambda = 162.4\substack{+1.3 \\ -1.2}^{\circ }$ . In addition, we determined a stellar differential rotation shear of α = 0.61 ± 0.06 and disentangled the stellar inclination ($i_* = 40.9\substack{+13.3 \\ -8.5}^{\circ }$ ) from the projected rotational velocity, resulting in an equatorial velocity of $v_{\rm {eq}} = 7.7\substack{+1.5 \\ -1.3}$ km s−1. In turn, we determined the true 3D obliquity of $\psi = 123.7\substack{+12.8 \\ -8.0}^{\circ }$ , meaning the planet is on a perpendicular/polar orbit. Therefore, we explored possible mechanisms for the planetary system’s formation and evolution. Finally, we searched for centre-to-limb convective variations where there was a null detection, indicating that centre-to-limb convective variations are not prominent in this star or are hidden within red noise.

CO or no CO? Narrowing the CO abundance constraint and recovering the H2O detection in the atmosphere of WASP-127 b using SPIRou

ABSTRACT Precise measurements of chemical abundances in planetary atmospheres are necessary to constrain the formation histories of exoplanets. A recent study of WASP-127 b, a close-in puffy sub-Saturn orbiting its solar-type host star in 4.2 d, using Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and Spitzer revealed a feature-rich transmission spectrum with strong excess absorption at 4.5 μm. However, the limited spectral resolution and coverage of these instruments could not distinguish between CO and/or CO2 absorption causing this signal, with both low and high C/O ratio scenarios being possible. Here we present near-infrared (0.9–2.5 μm) transit observations of WASP-127 b using the high-resolution SPIRou spectrograph, with the goal to disentangle CO from CO2 through the 2.3 μm CO band. With SPIRou, we detect H2O at a t-test significance of 5.3 σ and observe a tentative (3σ) signal consistent with OH absorption. From a joint SPIRou + HST + Spitzer retrieval analysis, we rule out a CO-rich scenario by placing an upper limit on the CO abundance of log10[CO] <−4.0, and estimate a log10[CO2] of −3.7$^{+0.8}_{-0.6}$ , which is the level needed to match the excess absorption seen at 4.5 μm. We also set abundance constraints on other major C-, O-, and N-bearing molecules, with our results favouring low C/O (0.10$^{+0.10}_{-0.06}$ ), disequilibrium chemistry scenarios. We further discuss the implications of our results in the context of planet formation. Additional observations at high and low resolution will be needed to confirm these results and better our understanding of this unusual world.

Metallicity and age effects on lithium depletion in solar analogues

ABSTRACT The lithium present in the photospheres of solar-type stars is transported to the inner parts by convection, reaching regions even somewhat below the convection zone, by non-standard transport mechanisms. In stars with deeper convective zones, this element can reach regions with temperatures sufficient enough to be destroyed, implying in a lower Li content. More metallic stars show a deepening of their convective zones, so they could deplete more Li in comparison with stars of lower metallicity. In order to verify this effect and its amplitude, we selected stars with ∼1 M⊙ and metallicities within a factor of two relative to the Sun. We studied a sample of 41 metal-rich and -poor solar analogues, and carried out a joint analysis with a sample of 77 solar twins from our previous work, resulting in a total sample of 118 stars covering the metallicity range −0.3 ≤ [Fe/H] ≤ + 0.3 dex. We employed high-resolution (R = 115 000) and high-signal-to-noise ratio (S/N = 400–1000) HARPS spectra and determined the atmospheric parameters using a line-by-line differential analysis and the Li abundance through spectral synthesis. The ages and masses of the whole sample were improved by refining the isochronal method. We also investigated the impact of planets on Li. We found robust anticorrelations between Li abundance and both metallicity and age, with a significance above 10σ in both cases. Our results agree qualitatively with theoretical predictions and are useful to constrain non-standard models of Li depletion, and to better understand transport and mixing mechanisms inside stars.

Properties of Flare Events on M Stars from LAMOST Spectral Survey Based on Kepler and TESS Light Curves

A catalog of M stars has been published from the Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope data release 7 (LAMOST DR7). We cross-matched the LAMOST M catalog with Kepler, Kepler 2 (K2) and Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) surveys. We obtained the light curves from the Kepler and TESS surveys. We detected 20,047 flare events from 4053 M stars and calculated their durations, amplitudes, and energies. We analyzed the distribution of the flare durations and energies. The distributions of flare duration for Kepler, K2 and TESS peak are at 3–3.5 hr, 4–6 hr and 1–1.5 hr, respectively. This may be the result of the different cadences for the three data sets. The highest regions of the flare energies of Kepler, K2 and TESS are 32–32.5, 32–32.5 and 31–31.5 erg in Log format, respectively. A linear relationship between flare duration and energy emerges from our analysis. The ratio of flare duration to total observational time is approximately 0.2%–0.3% for the Kepler, K2 and TESS surveys. The occurrence rate of a star with a flare event increases from the M0 to M4 subtypes. We also determined the spatial distribution of the flare rate of M stars in the Milky Way. It seems that the flare rate decreases as the vertical height increases. The power index of the flare energies is in the region of 1.53–2.32, which is similar to previous result for solar type star (2.0). Further, we examined the relationship between the flare amplitude and chromospheric intensity. The flare activity increases rapidly with the increase in the Hα EW at the lower values (less approximately 2 Å) and it increases slowly at the higher values.

Convective Boundary Mixing in Main-Sequence Stars: Theory and Empirical Constraints

The convective envelopes of solar-type stars and the convective cores of intermediate- and high-mass stars share boundaries with stable radiative zones. Through a host of processes we collectively refer to as “convective boundary mixing” (CBM), convection can drive efficient mixing in these nominally stable regions. In this review, we discuss the current state of CBM research in the context of main-sequence stars through three lenses. (1) We examine the most frequently implemented 1D prescriptions of CBM—exponential overshoot, step overshoot, and convective penetration—and we include a discussion of implementation degeneracies and how to convert between various prescriptions. (2) Next, we examine the literature of CBM from a fluid dynamical perspective, with a focus on three distinct processes: convective overshoot, entrainment, and convective penetration. (3) Finally, we discuss observational inferences regarding how much mixing should occur in the cores of intermediate- and high-mass stars as well as the implied constraints that these observations place on 1D CBM implementations. We conclude with a discussion of pathways forward for future studies to place better constraints on this difficult challenge in stellar evolution modeling.

Discovery of a 0.58M ⊙, 0.9 au Companion to HIP 42313 = δ Hya* *Based on observations collected at the European Southern Observatory, Chile, Program ID 110.241W.002.

In spite of them being the main progenitors of white dwarfs, the multiplicity of intermediate mass stars is relatively less explored when compared to solar-type and O-type stars. Here we report the discovery of a new companion to the nearby 2.43M ⊙ A1V star HIP 42313 = δ Hya with a K band flux ratio of 1.3% based on a VLTI/GRAVITY interferometric observation. This new 0.58M ⊙ companion at a projected separation 16.7 mas ↔ 0.90 au explains both the Hipparcos-GaiaDR2 as well as the GaiaDR2-GaiaDR3 proper motion changes of δ Hya. Together with the previously known 0.44M ⊙ companion at ρ = 2.″7 ↔ 147 au, this makes δ Hya a hierarchical triple system.

15 000 ellipsoidal binary candidates in TESS: Orbital periods, binary fraction, and tertiary companions

ABSTRACT We present a homogeneously selected sample of 15 779 candidate binary systems with main sequence primary stars and orbital periods shorter than 5 d. The targets were selected from TESS full-frame image light curves on the basis of their tidally induced ellipsoidal modulation. Spectroscopic follow-up suggests a sample purity of 83 ± 13 per cent. Injection-recovery tests allow us to estimate our overall completeness as 28 ± 3 per cent with Porb < 3 d and to quantify our selection effects. 39 ± 4 per cent of our sample are contact binary systems, and we disentangle the period distributions of the contact and detached binaries. We derive the orbital period distribution of the main-sequence binary population at short orbital periods, finding a distribution continuous with the lognormal distribution previously found for solar-type stars at longer periods, but with a significant steepening at Porb ≲ 3 d, and a pile-up of contact binaries at Porb ≈ 0.4 d. Companions in the period range of 1–5 d are an order of magnitude more frequent around stars hotter than $\approx 6250\, \rm K$ (the Kraft break) when compared to cooler stars, suggesting that magnetic braking shortens the lifetime of cooler binary systems. However, the period distribution in the range 1–10 d is independent of temperature. We detect resolved tertiary companions to 9.0 ± 0.2 per cent of our binaries with a median separation of 3200 au. The frequency of tertiary companions rises to 29 ± 5 per cent among the systems with the shortest ellipsoidal periods. This large binary sample with quantified selection effects will be a powerful resource for future studies of detached and contact binary systems with Porb<5 d.

Estimations of Planetary Occurrence Rates for Solar-type Stars with Data Release 25 from Kepler Q1–Q17 Observations

The detection of exoplanets in the past three decades has revealed the fact that planets are ubiquitous in the universe. In order to deeply study the ubiquity of habitable planets, on one hand, we need to understand the characteristics of habitable planets; on the other hand, we can analyze the the distribution characteristics of exoplanets have been found, and to calculate the probability of occurrence of such planets around stars. Among the exoplanets that have been found so far, most of them are discovered by the transit method. For example, the number of the planets detected by the Kepler space telescope is 2344. Kepler telescope officially retired in 2018, and the Kepler team released the final version of Kepler Data Release (DR25), including a total of 198709 stars observed quarterly Q1–Q17. Here we analyze the Kepler data by using two different methods, Inverse Detection Efficiency Method (IDEM) and Maximum Likelihood Analysis (ML), to estimate planet occurrence rates in the space of the parameters of radius and orbital period. At the same time, the samples were classified according to the spectral types of stars, and the planet occurrence rates around F, G, and K Kepler stars as well as its overall formation rate were estimated respectively. We estimate the planetary occurrence rates for planets among radius range of 1–20 R⊕ (R⊕ is one radius of the Earth) and orbital period range of 0.4–400 days by IDEM and ML, for which around F stars are respectively 0.36±0.02 and 0.47±0.02. The rates around G stars by IDEM and ML are respectively 1.62±0.05 and 1.23±0.04. The rates around K stars by IDEM and ML are respectively 2.61±0.12 and 2.73±0.13. And the overall occurrence rate of such planets around F, G, K stars by IDEM and ML are respectively 1.16±0.03 and 0.90±0.02. According to our estimation, we further show the results for the planet occurrence rates around stars with different spectral types by different methods, and discuss the reliability of the results in comparison with the previous studies.

Revising Properties of Planet–Host Binary Systems. III. There Is No Observed Radius Gap for Kepler Planets in Binary Star Systems* * Based on observations obtained with the Hobby–Eberly Telescope, which is a joint project of the University of Texas at Austin, the Pennsylvania State University, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, and Georg-August-Universität Göttingen.

Binary stars are ubiquitous; the majority of solar-type stars exist in binaries. Exoplanet occurrence rate is suppressed in binaries, but some multiples do still host planets. Binaries cause observational biases in planet parameters, with undetected multiplicity causing transiting planets to appear smaller than they truly are. We have analyzed the properties of a sample of 119 planet-host binary stars from the Kepler mission to study the underlying population of planets in binaries that fall in and around the radius valley, which is a demographic feature in period–radius space that marks the transition from predominantly rocky to predominantly gaseous planets. We found no statistically significant evidence for a radius gap for our sample of 122 planets in binaries when assuming that the primary stars are the planet hosts, with a low probability (p < 0.05) of the binary planet sample radius distribution being consistent with the single-star population of small planets via an Anderson–Darling test. These results reveal demographic differences in the planet size distribution between planets in binary and single stars for the first time, showing that stellar multiplicity may fundamentally alter the planet formation process. A larger sample and further assessment of circumprimary versus circumsecondary transits is needed to either validate this nondetection or explore other scenarios, such as a radius gap with a location that is dependent on binary separation.

Spectroscopic Orbits of Subsystems in Multiple Stars. IX

New spectroscopic orbits of inner subsystems in 14 hierarchies are determined from long-term monitoring with the optical echelle spectrometer, CHIRON. Their main components are nearby solar-type stars belonging to nine triple systems (HIP 3645, 14307, 36165, 79980, 103735, 103814, 104440, 105879, 109443) and five quadruples of 2 + 2 hierarchy (HIP 41171, 49336, 75663, 78163, and 117666). The inner periods range from 254 days to 18 yr. Inner subsystems in HIP 3645, 14313, 79979, 103735, 104440, and 105879 are resolved by speckle interferometry, and their combined spectro-interferometric orbits are derived here. Astrometric orbits of HIP 49336 Aa,Ab and HIP 117666 Aa,Ab are determined from wobble in the observed motion of the outer pairs. Comparison with three spectroscopic orbits found in the Gaia data release 3 archive reveals that Gaia underestimated the amplitudes (except for HIP 109443), while the periods match approximately. This work contributes new data on the architecture of nearby hierarchical systems, complementing their statistics.

Evolution of brightness and magnetic features of young solar-type stars – II. The young F8 star HIP 71933

ABSTRACT The early, active history of our Sun is still not fully understood. Observations of the magnetic fields on active young solar-type stars allow us an insight into the early evolution of our Sun. Here we present Doppler and Zeeman–Doppler images of the young late-F star HIP 71933 (HD 129181) at multiple epochs to add to the growing data about the evolution of magnetic cycles in solar-type stars. Spectroscopic data were obtained over seven epochs spanning 10 yr of observations, with two epochs including spectropolarimetric data. The brightness maps at all epochs show a consistent spot activity in a non-uniform ring at a latitude of approximately +60° with no polar spot present in any epoch. The two magnetic field maps taken ∼2 yr apart show a strong poloidal field configuration with most of the poloidal field energy in the dipolar configuration. The magnetic maps show no evidence of a polarity reversal. We were able to measure the differential rotation from one of the seven epochs using the brightness data finding a dΩ of 0.325 ± 0.01 rad d−1. The values for the rotational period and differential rotation found for HIP 71933 are consistent with values found for other late-F or early-G stars. The dominant poloidal features and the limited spots at the pole are unusual for a rapidly rotating star but not unique.

Tidally excited gravity waves in the cores of solar-type stars: resonances and critical-layer formation

ABSTRACT We simulate the propagation and dissipation of tidally induced non-linear gravity waves in the cores of solar-type stars. We perform hydrodynamical simulations of a previously developed Boussinesq model using a spectral-element code to study the stellar core as a wave cavity that is periodically forced at the outer boundary with a given azimuthal wavenumber and an adjustable frequency. For low-amplitude forcing, the system exhibits resonances with standing g modes at particular frequencies, corresponding to a situation in which the tidal torque is highly frequency-dependent. For high-amplitude forcing, the excited waves break promptly near the centre and spin up the core so that subsequent waves are absorbed in an expanding critical layer (CL), as found in previous work, leading to a tidal torque with a smooth frequency-dependence. For intermediate-amplitude forcing, we find that linear damping of the waves gradually spins up the core such that the resonance condition can be altered drastically. The system can evolve towards or away from g-mode resonances, depending on the difference between the forcing frequency and the closest eigenfrequency. Eventually, a CL forms and absorbs the incoming waves, leading to a situation similar to the high-amplitude case in which the waves break promptly. We study the dependence of this process on the forcing amplitude and frequency, as well as on the diffusion coefficients. We emphasize that the small Prandtl number in the centre of solar-like stars facilitates the development of a differentially rotating core owing to the non-linear feedback of waves. Our simulations and analysis reveal that this important mechanism may drastically change the phase of gravity waves and thus the classical picture of resonance locking in solar-type stars needs to be revised.

Applying the Metallicity-dependent Binary Fraction to Double White Dwarf Formation: Implications for LISA

Short-period double white dwarf (DWD) binaries will be the most prolific source of gravitational waves (GWs) for the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA). DWDs with GW frequencies below ∼1 mHz will be the dominant contributor to a stochastic foreground caused by overlapping GW signals. Population modeling of Galactic DWDs typically assumes a binary fraction of 50% and a log-uniform zero-age main sequence (ZAMS) orbital period distribution. However, recent observations have shown that the binary fraction of close, solar-type stars exhibits a strong anticorrelation with metallicity that modulates the ZAMS orbital period distribution below 104 days. In this study, we perform the first simulation of the Galactic DWD population observable by LISA that incorporates an empirically derived metallicity-dependent binary fraction, using the binary population synthesis suite COSMIC and a metallicity-dependent star formation history. We compare two models: one that assumes a metallicity-dependent binary fraction, and one with a binary fraction of 50%. We repeat our analysis for three different assumptions for Roche-lobe overflow interactions. We find that while metallicity impacts the evolution and intrinsic properties of our simulated DWD progenitor binaries, the LISA-resolvable populations of the two models remain roughly indistinguishable. However, the size of the total Galactic DWD population orbiting in the LISA frequency band is reduced by more than half when accounting for a metallicity-dependent binary fraction for two of our four variations, which also lowers the effective foreground. The LISA population remains unchanged in number for two variations, highlighting the sensitivity of the population to binary evolution prescriptions.

Dynamical masses of two young transiting sub-Neptunes orbiting HD 63433

Context.Although the number of exoplanets reported in the literature exceeds 5000 so far, only a few dozen of them are young planets (≤900 Myr). However, a complete characterization of these young planets is key to understanding the current properties of the entire population. Hence, it is necessary to constrain the planetary formation processes and the timescales of dynamical evolution by measuring the masses of exoplanets transiting young stars.Aims.We characterize and measure the masses of two transiting planets orbiting the 400 Myr old solar-type star HD 63433, which is a member of the Ursa Major moving group.Methods.We analysed precise photometric light curves of five sectors of the TESS mission with a baseline of ~750 days and obtained ~150 precise radial velocity measurements with the visible and infrared arms of the CARMENES instrument at the Calar Alto 3.5 m telescope in two different campaigns of ~500 days. We performed a combined photometric and spectroscopic analysis to retrieve the planetary properties of two young planets. The strong stellar activity signal was modelled by Gaussian regression processes.Results.We have updated the transit parameters of HD 63433 b and c and obtained planet radii ofRpb= 2.140 ± 0.087R⊕andRpc= 2.692 ± 0.108R⊕. Our analysis allowed us to determine the dynamical mass of the outer planet with a 4σsignificance (Mpc= 15.54 ± 3.86M⊕) and set an upper limit on the mass of the inner planet at 3σ (Mpb&lt; 21.76M⊕). According to theoretical models, both planets are expected to be sub-Neptunes, whose interiors mostly consist of silicates and water with no dominant composition of iron, and whose gas envelopes are lower than 2% in the case of HD 63433 c. The envelope is unconstrained in HD 63433 b.

A precise blue-optical transmission spectrum from the ground: evidence for haze in the atmosphere of WASP-74b

ABSTRACT We report transmission spectroscopy of the bloated hot Jupiter WASP-74b in the wavelength range from 4000 to 6200 Å. We observe two transit events with the Very Large Telescope (VLT) Focal Reducer and Spectrograph and present a new method to measure the exoplanet transit depth as a function of wavelength. The new method removes the need for a reference star in correcting the spectroscopic light curves for the impact of atmospheric extinction. It also provides improved precision, compared to other techniques, reaching an average transit depth uncertainty of 211 ppm for a solar-type star of V = 9.8 mag and over wavelength bins of 80 Å. The VLT transmission spectrum is analysed both individually and in combination with published data from Hubble Space Telescope and Spitzer. The spectrum is found to exhibit a mostly featureless slope and equilibrium chemistry retrievals with platon favour hazes in the upper atmosphere of the exoplanet. Free chemistry retrievals with aura further support the presence of hazes. While additional constraints are possible depending on the choice of atmospheric model, they are not robust and may be influenced by residual systematics in the data sets. Our results demonstrate the utility of new techniques in the analysis of optical, ground-based spectroscopic data and can be highly complementary to follow-up observations in the infrared with JWST.

V907 Sco Switched to the Eclipsing Mode Again

V907 Scorpii is a unique triple system in which the inner binary component has been reported to have switched on and off eclipses several times in modern history. In spite of its peculiarity, observational data on this system are surprisingly scarce. Here we make use of the recent Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite observations, as well as our own photometric and spectroscopic data, to expand the overall data set and study the V907 Sco system in more detail. Our analysis provides both new and improved values for several of its fundamental parameters: (i) the masses of the stars in the eclipsing binary are 2.74 ± 0.02 M ⊙ and 2.56 ± 0.02 M ⊙; and (ii) the third component is a solar-type star with mass M ⊙ (90% C.L.), orbiting the binary on an elongated orbit with an eccentricity of 0.47 ± 0.02 and a period of 142.01 ± 0.05 days. The intermittent intervals of time when eclipses of the inner binary are switched on and off are caused by a mutual inclination of the inner- and outer-orbit planes, and a favorable inclination of about 71° of the total angular momentum of the system. The nodal precession period is yr. The inner binary will remain eclipsing for another ≃26 yr, offering an opportunity to significantly improve the parameters of the model. This is especially true during the next decade when the inner-orbit inclination will increase to nearly 90°. Further spectroscopic observations are also desirable, as they can help to improve constraints on the system’s orbital architecture and its physical parameters.

Large Interferometer For Exoplanets (LIFE)

Context. In the fourth paper in this series, we identified that a pentagonal arrangement of five telescopes, using a kernel-nulling beam combiner, shows notable advantages for some important performance metrics for a space-based mid-infrared nulling interferometer over several other considered configurations for the detection of Earth-like exoplanets around solar-type stars. Aims. We aim to produce a physical implementation of a kernel-nulling beam combiner for such a configuration, as well as a discussion of systematic and stochastic errors associated with the instrument. Methods. We developed a mathematical framework around a nulling beam combiner, and then used it along with a space interferometry simulator to identify the effects of systematic uncertainties. Results. We find that errors in the beam combiner optics, systematic phase errors and the root-mean-squared (RMS) fringe tracking errors result in instrument-limited performance at ~4–7 μm, and zodiacal light limited at ≳10 μm. Assuming a beam splitter reflectance error of |ΔR| = 5% and phase shift error of Δϕ = 3°, we find that the fringe tracking RMS error should be kept to less than 3 nm in order to be photon limited, and the systematic piston error be less than 0.5 nm to be appropriately sensitive to planets with a contrast of 1 × 10−7 over a 4–19 μm bandpass. We also identify that the beam combiner design, with the inclusion of a well-positioned shutter, provides an ability to produce robust kernel observables even if one or two collecting telescopes were to fail. The resulting four-telescope combiner, when put into an X-array formation, results in a transmission map with a relative signal-to-noise ratio equivalent to 80% of a fully functioning X-array combiner. Conclusions. The advantage in sensitivity and planet yield of the Kernel-5 nulling architecture, along with an inbuilt contingency option for a failed collector telescope, leads us to recommend this architecture be adopted for further study for the LIFE mission.

How noise thresholds affect the information content of stellar flare sequences

Systems that exhibit discrete dynamics can be well described and reconstructed by considering the set of time intervals between the discrete events of the system. TheKeplersatellite has cataloged light curves for many Sun-like stars, and these light curves show strong bursts in intensity that are associated with stellar flares. The waiting time between these flares describes the fundamental dynamics of the stars and is driven by physical processes, such as flux emergence. While it is rather straightforward to identify large flares, the identification of weaker flares can be challenging because of the presence of noise. A common practice is to limit flare identification to events stronger than a threshold value that significantly exceeds the noise level (kσ), whereσis the standard deviation of the fluctuations about the detrended light curve. However, the selection of thek-value is normally made based on an empirical rule (typicallyk = 3), which can lead to a biased threshold level. This study examines the information content in the waiting time sequence of enhancements in the light curve of a solar-type star (KIC 7985370) as a function of threshold. Information content is quantified by the mutual information between successive flare waiting times. It is found that the information content increases as the threshold is reduced fromk = 3 tok = 1.56, in contrast with the notion that low amplitude enhancements are simply random noise. However, belowk = 1.56 the information content dramatically decreases, consistent with shot noise. The information that is detected atk = 1.56 and above is similar to that of solar flares and indicates a significant relationship between the low amplitude enhancements, suggesting that many of those events are likely flares. We suggest that mutual information could be used to identify a threshold that maximizes the information content of the flare sequence, making it possible to extract more flare information from stellar light curves.

The tidal excitation ofrmodes in a solar-type star orbited by a giant planet companion and the effect on orbital evolution I: the aligned case

ABSTRACTIt has been suggested that tidal interaction is important for shaping the orbital configurations of close orbiting giant planets. The excitation of propagating waves and normal modes (dynamical tide) will be important for estimating time-scales for orbital evolution. We consider the tidal interaction of a Jupiter mass planet orbiting a solar-type primary. Tidal and rotational frequencies are assumed comparable making the effect of rotation important. Although centrifugal distortion is neglected, Coriolis forces are fully taken into account. We focus in detail on the potentially resonant excitation of r modes associated with spherical harmonics of degrees three and five. These are mostly sited in the radiative core but with a significant response in the convective envelope where dissipation occurs. Away from resonance significant orbital evolution over the system lifetime is unlikely. However, tidal interaction is enhanced near resonances and the orbital evolution accelerated as they are passed through. This speed up may be sustained if near resonance can be maintained. For close orbits with primaries rotating sufficiently rapidly, this could arise from angular momentum loss and stellar spin-down through a stellar wind bringing about significant orbital evolution over the system lifetime.