Solar-type Stars Research Articles

The HARPS search for southern extra-solar planets

Context.We present precise radial-velocity measurements of five solar-type stars observed with the HARPS Echelle spectrograph mounted on the 3.6-m telescope in La Silla (ESO, Chile). With a time span of more than 10 yr and a fairly dense sampling, the survey is sensitive to low mass planets down to super-Earths on orbital periods up to 100 days.Aims.Our goal was to search for planetary companions around the stars HD 39194, HD 93385, HD 96700, HD 154088, and HD 189567 and use Bayesian model comparison to make an informed choice on the number of planets present in the systems based on the radial velocity observations. These findings will contribute to the pool of known exoplanets and better constrain their orbital parameters.Methods.A first analysis was performed using the Data & Analysis Center for Exoplanets online tools to assess the activity level of the star and the potential planetary content of each system. We then used Bayesian model comparison on all targets to get a robust estimate on the number of planets per star. We did this using the nested sampling algorithm POLYCHORD. For some targets, we also compared different noise models to disentangle planetary signatures from stellar activity. Lastly, we ran an efficient Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm for each target to get reliable estimates for the planets’ orbital parameters.Results.We identify 12 planets within several multiplanet systems. These planets are all in the super-Earth and sub-Neptune mass regime with minimum masses ranging between 4 and 13M⊕and orbital periods between 5 and 103 days. Three of these planets are new, namely HD 93385 b, HD 96700 c, and HD 189567 c.

Two Sequences in the Age–Metallicity Relation as Seen from [C/N] Abundances in APOGEE

Abstract The age–metallicity relation (AMR) is fundamental to study the formation and evolution of the disk. Observations have shown that this relation has a large scatter, which cannot be explained by observational errors only. That scatter is hence attributed to the effects of radial migration in which stars tracing different chemical evolution histories in the disk get mixed. However, the recent study of Nissen et al., using high-precision observational data of solar-type stars, found two relatively tight AMRs. One sequence of older and metal-richer stars probably traces the chemical enrichment history of the inner disk while the other sequence of younger and metal-poorer stars traces the chemical enrichment history of the outer disk. If uncertainties in age measurements increase, these sequences mix, explaining the scatter of the one relation observed in other studies. This work follows up on these results by analyzing an independent sample of red clump giants observed by APOGEE. Because ages for red giants are significantly more uncertain, the [C/N] ratios are considered as a proxy for age. This larger data set is used to investigate these relations at different Galactic radii, finding that these distinct sequences exist only in the solar neighborhood. The APOGEE data set is further used to explore different abundance and kinematical planes to shed light on the nature of these populations.

Lithium depletion and angular momentum transport in F-type and G-type stars in Galactic open clusters

Context. Open clusters provide unambiguous clues to understand the evolution of 7Li at the surface of low-mass stars and its possible correlation with stellar rotation, which is a challenge for both stellar hydrodynamics and Galactic chemical evolution. Aims. We aim to quantify the efficiency of the transport processes for both angular momentum and chemicals that are required to explain simultaneously the observed behaviour of surface 7Li (and 9Be) and rotation as well as the internal rotation profiles inferred from helio- and asteroseismology in F- and G-type main sequence stars. Methods. We apply the model for the transport of angular momentum and chemicals that we tailored in a previous work for solar-type stars to an extended range of initial masses and metallicities corresponding to F- an G-type stars in a sample of 20 Galactic open clusters. We evaluate its ability to explain the 7Li, 9Be, and rotation periods observations. This model includes atomic diffusion, rotation-induced processes (for which we tested different prescriptions for shear turbulence), penetrative convection with a rotational dependence, parametric viscosity and turbulence, and magnetic braking. Results. Over the entire range of masses, metallicities, and ages explored, we reproduce the evolution of the surface rotation rates and predict, for the first time, the observed anti-correlation between the surface rotation rate and 7Li depletion as a consequence of the penetrative convection prescription. The 7Li behaviour and its evolution with time is well reproduced for G-type stars. However, the ability of the model to reproduce the so-called 7Li dip centred around ∼6600 K strongly depends on the adopted prescriptions for shear turbulence. It also requires a stellar mass dependence for the parametric viscosity adopted for the transport of angular momentum, similar to the behaviour predicted for the generation and luminosity of internal gravity waves generated by stellar convective envelopes. Finally, the model predicts internal rotation profiles in good agreement with asteroseismic constraints in main sequence stars. Conclusions. We provide an efficient way to model G-type stars of different ages and metallicities successfully. However, the 7Li and 9Be dip constraints urgently call for further hydrodynamical studies to better model turbulence in stars, and for the exploration of physical processes such as tachocline mixing for the transport of chemicals and internal gravity waves for the transport of angular momentum. Finally, additional data for the internal rotation and for 9Be in main sequence low-mass stars are definitively needed.

Evolution of brightness and magnetic features of young solar-type stars – I. The young G star HIP 89829

ABSTRACT The evolution in latitude of sunspots is a key feature of the cyclic solar dynamo. Here, we present the results of a spectroscopic and spectropolarimetric monitoring campaign on the young (∼20 Myr old) early G star HIP 89829, in order to investigate potential evolution in the distribution of the star’s spots and magnetic features. Our analysis of this G5V star spans eight epochs, from June 2010 to August 2015. The techniques of Doppler imaging and Zeeman–Doppler imaging were used to create brightness maps for each epoch and magnetic maps for two epochs. The brightness images show the star to have stable spot features with two main spot latitudes – a polar spot, often seen on young rapidly rotating stars such as this, and another highly unusual group of large spot features around the 20° and 30° latitudes. These lower spot latitudes appear to be rather stable over the 5 yr of observations. We included a solar-type differential rotation law into the imaging process and measured near-solid-body rotation for epochs where sufficient data exist for this analysis. The magnetic features show a dominant poloidal and a weaker toroidal magnetic field for both Stokes V epochs, which is unusual for a star with a rapid rotation period of 0.57 d. We conclude that HIP 89829 is an active young solar-type star with long-lived spots and near-solid-body rotation.

The dispersal of protoplanetary discs – II: photoevaporation models with observationally derived irradiating spectra

ABSTRACT Young solar-type stars are known to be strong X-ray emitters and their X-ray spectra have been widely studied. X-rays from the central star may play a crucial role in the thermodynamics and chemistry of the circumstellar material as well as in the atmospheric evolution of young planets. In this paper, we present model spectra based on spectral parameters derived from the observations of young stars in the Orion nebula cluster from the Chandra Orion Ultradeep Project (COUP). The spectra are then used to calculate new photoevaporation prescriptions that can be used in disc and planet population synthesis models. Our models clearly show that disc wind mass loss rates are controlled by the stellar luminosity in the soft ($100\, \mathrm{eV}$ to $1\, \mathrm{keV}$) X-ray band. New analytical relations are provided for the mass loss rates and profiles of photoevaporative winds as a function of the luminosity in the soft X-ray band. The agreement between observed and predicted transition disc statistics moderately improved using the new spectra, but the observed population of strongly accreting large cavity discs can still not be reproduced by these models. Furthermore, our models predict a population of non-accreting transition discs that are not observed. This highlights the importance of considering the depletion of millimetre-sized dust grains from the outer disc, which is a likely reason why such discs have not been detected yet.

The all-sky PLATO input catalogue

Context. The ESA PLAnetary Transits and Oscillations of stars (PLATO) mission will search for terrestrial planets in the habitable zone of solar-type stars. Because of telemetry limitations, PLATO targets need to be pre-selected. Aims. In this paper, we present an all sky catalogue that will be fundamental to selecting the best PLATO fields and the most promising target stars, deriving their basic parameters, analysing the instrumental performances, and then planing and optimising follow-up observations. This catalogue also represents a valuable resource for the general definition of stellar samples optimised for the search of transiting planets. Methods. We used Gaia Data Release 2 astrometry and photometry and 3D maps of the local interstellar medium to isolate FGK (V ≤ 13) and M (V ≤ 16) dwarfs and subgiant stars. Results. We present the first public release of the all-sky PLATO input catalogue (asPIC1.1) containing a total of 2 675 539 stars including 2 378 177 FGK dwarfs and subgiants and 297 362 M dwarfs. The median distance in our sample is 428 pc for FGK stars and 146 pc for M dwarfs, respectively. We derived the reddening of our targets and developed an algorithm to estimate stellar fundamental parameters (Teff, radius, mass) from astrometric and photometric measurements. Conclusions. We show that the overall (internal+external) uncertainties on the stellar parameter determined in the present study are ∼230 K (4%) for the effective temperatures, ∼0.1 R⊙ (9%) for the stellar radii, and ∼0.1 M⊙ (11%) for the stellar mass. We release a special target list containing all known planet hosts cross-matched with our catalogue.

The Gaia-ESO Survey: a new approach to chemically characterising young open clusters

Context. Young open clusters (ages of less than 200 Myr) have been observed to exhibit several peculiarities in their chemical compositions. These anomalies include a slightly sub-solar iron content, super-solar abundances of some atomic species (e.g. ionised chromium), and atypical enhancements of [Ba/Fe], with values up to ~0.7 dex. Regarding the behaviour of the other s-process elements like yttrium, zirconium, lanthanum, and cerium, there is general disagreement in the literature: some authors claim that they follow the same trend as barium, while others find solar abundances at all ages. Aims. In this work we expand upon our previous analysis of a sample of five young open clusters (IC 2391, IC 2602, IC 4665, NGC 2516, and NGC 2547) and one star-forming region (NGC 2264), with the aim of determining abundances of different neutron-capture elements, mainly Cu I, Sr I, Sr II, Y II, Zr II, Ba II, La II, and Ce II. For NGC 2264 and NGC 2547 we present the measurements of these elements for the first time. Methods. We analysed high-resolution, high signal-to-noise spectra of 23 solar-type stars observed within the Gaia-ESO survey. After a careful selection, we derived abundances of isolated and clean lines via spectral synthesis computations and in a strictly differential way with respect to the Sun. Results. We find that our clusters have solar [Cu/Fe] within the uncertainties, while we confirm that [Ba/Fe] is super-solar, with values ranging from +0.22 to +0.64 dex. Our analysis also points to a mild enhancement of Y, with [Y/Fe] ratios covering values between 0 and +0.3 dex. For the other s-process elements we find that [X/Fe] ratios are solar at all ages. Conclusions. It is not possible to reconcile the anomalous behaviour of Ba and Y at young ages with standard stellar yields and Galactic chemical evolution model predictions. We explore different possible scenarios related to the behaviour of spectral lines, from the dependence on the different ionisation stages and the sensitivity to the presence of magnetic fields (through the Landé factor) to the first ionisation potential effect. We also investigate the possibility that they may arise from alterations of the structure of the stellar photosphere due to the increased levels of stellar activity that affect the spectral line formation, and consequently the derived abundances. These effects seem to be stronger in stars at ages of less than ~ 100 Myr. However, we are still unable to explain these enhancements, and the Ba puzzle remains unsolved. With the present study we suggest that other elements, for example Sr, Zr, La, and Ce, might be more reliable tracer of the s-process at young ages, and we strongly encourage further critical observations.

Role of Longitudinal Waves in Alfvén-wave-driven Solar/Stellar Wind

AbstractWe study the role the the p-mode-like vertical oscillation on the photosphere in driving solar winds in the framework of Alfvén-wave-driven winds. By performing one-dimensional magnetohydrodynamical numerical simulations from the photosphere to the interplanetary space, we discover that the mass-loss rate is raised up to ≈ 4 times as the amplitude of longitudinal perturbations at the photosphere increases. When the longitudinal fluctuation is added, transverse waves are generated by the mode conversion from longitudinal waves in the chromosphere, which increases Alfvénic Poynting flux in the corona. As a result, the coronal heating is enhanced to yield higher coronal density by the chromospheric evaporation, leading to the increase of the mass-loss rate. Our findings clearly show the importance of the p-mode oscillation in the photosphere and the mode conversion in the chromosphere in determining the basic properties of the wind from the sun and solar-type stars.

The future of Jupiter-like planets around Sun-like stars: first steps

AbstractPlanets that orbit low- to intermediate mass main sequence (MS) stars will experience vigorous star-planet interactions when the host star evolves through the giant branches, including the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) phase, due to extreme luminosities and stellar outflows. In this work, we take the first steps towards understanding how a planet’s temperature profile and chemical composition is altered when the host star evolves from the MS to the AGB phase. We used a 1D radiative transfer code to compute the temperature-pressure profile and a 1D chemical kinetics code to simulate the disequilibrium chemistry. We consider a Jupiter-like planet around a Solar-type star in two evolutionary stages (MS and AGB planet) by only varying the stellar luminosity. We find that the temperature throughout the AGB planet’s atmosphere is increased by several hundreds of Kelvin compared to the MS planet. We also find that CO joins H2O and CH4 as a prominent constituent in the AGB planet’s atmospheric composition.

Physical and geometrical parameters of CVBS XIV: the two nearby systems HIP 19206 and HIP 84425

Data release 2 (DR2) from the Gaia mission was of great help in precise determination of fundamental parameters of Close Visual Binary and Multiple Systems (CVBMSs), especially masses of their components, which are crucial parameters in understanding formation and evolution of stars and galaxies. This article presents the complete set of fundamental parameters for two nearby close visual binary systems (CVBSs), which are HIP 19206 and HIP 84425. We utilised a combination of two methods; the first one is Tokovinin’s dynamical method to solve the orbit of the system and to estimate orbital elements and the dynamical mass sum, and the second one is Al-Wardat’s method for analysing CVBMSs to estimate the physical parameters of the individual components. The latest method employs grids of Kurucz line-blanketed plane parallel model atmospheres to build synthetic Spectral Energy Distributions (SEDs) of the individual components. Trigonometric parallax measurements given by Gaia DR2 and Hipparcos catalogues are used to analyse the two systems. The difference in these measurements yielded slight discrepancies in the fundamental parameters of the individual components, especially masses. So, a new dynamical parallax is suggested in this work based on the most convenient mass sum as given by each of the two methods. The new dynamical parallax for the system HIP 19205 of 22.97 ± 0.95 mas coincides well with the trigonometric one reported recently (in December 2020) by Gaia EDR3 of 22.3689 ± 0.4056 mas. The positions of the components of the two systems on the evolutionary tracks and isochrones are plotted, which suggest that all components are solar-type main sequence stars. Their most probable formation and evolution scenarios are also discussed.

A New Equation of State for Dense Hydrogen–Helium Mixtures. II. Taking into Account Hydrogen–Helium Interactions

Abstract In a recent paper, we derived a new equation of state (EOS) for dense hydrogen/helium mixtures that covers the temperature–density domain from solar-type stars to brown dwarfs and gaseous planets. This EOS is based on the so-called additive volume law and thus does not take into account the interactions between the hydrogen and helium species. In the present paper, we go beyond these calculations by taking into account H/He interactions, derived from quantum molecular dynamics simulations. These interactions, which eventually lead to H/He phase separation, become important at low temperature and high density, in the domain of brown dwarfs and giant planets. The tables of this new EOS are made publicly available.

Magnetic Flux and Magnetic Nonpotentiality of Active Regions in Eruptive and Confined Solar Flares

Abstract With the aim of understanding how the magnetic properties of active regions (ARs) control the eruptive character of solar flares, we analyze 719 flares of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) class ≥C5.0 during 2010–2019. We carry out the first statistical study that investigates the flare-coronal mass ejection (CME) association rate as a function of the flare intensity and the AR characteristics that produce the flare, in terms of its total unsigned magnetic flux (ΦAR). Our results show that the slope of the flare–CME association rate with flare intensity reveals a steep monotonic decrease with ΦAR. This means that flares of the same GOES class but originating from an AR of larger ΦAR, are much more likely to be confined. Based on an AR flux as high as 1.0 × 1024 Mx for solar-type stars, we estimate that the CME association rate in X100-class “superflares” is no more than 50%. For a sample of 132 flares ≥M2.0 class, we measure three nonpotential parameters including the length of steep gradient polarity-inversion line (L SGPIL), the total photospheric free magnetic energy (E free), and the area with large shear angle (A Ψ). We find that confined flares tend to have larger values of L SGPIL, E free, and A Ψ compared to eruptive flares. Each nonpotential parameter shows a moderate positive correlation with ΦAR. Our results imply that ΦAR is a decisive quantity describing the eruptive character of a flare, as it provides a global parameter relating to the strength of the background field confinement.

Polytropic wind solutions via the Complex Plane Strategy

Solar-type stars generate spherical winds, which are pressure driven flows, that start subsonic, reach the sound speed at the sonic point and transition to supersonic flows. The sonic point, mathematically corresponds to a singularity of the system of differential equations describing the flow. In the problem of an isothermal wind, the Parker solution provides an exact analytical expression tuned appropriately so that the singularity does not affect the solution. However, if the wind is polytropic it is not possible to find an analytical solution and a numerical approach needs to be followed. We study solutions of spherical winds that are driven by pressure within a gravitational field. The solutions pass smoothly from the critical point and allow us to study the impact of the changes of the polytropic index to these winds. We explore the properties of these solutions as a function of the polytropic index and the boundary conditions used. We apply the Complex Plane Strategy (CPS) and we obtain numerically solutions of polytropic winds. This allows us to avoid the singularity appearing in the equations through the introduction complex variables and integration on the complex plane. Applying this method, we obtain solutions with physical behaviour at the stellar surface, the sonic point and at large distances from the star. We further explore the role of the polytropic index in the flow and the effect of mass-loss rate and temperature on the solution. We find that the increase of polytropic index as well as the decrease of flow parameter both yield to a smoother velocity profile and lower velocities and shifts the transition point from subsonic to supersonic behaviour further from the star. Finally, we verify that the increasing of coronal temperature yields higher wind velocities and a weaker dependence on polytropic index.

Star-planet interactions

Context. Tidal interactions and planetary evaporation processes impact the evolution of close-in star–planet systems. Aims. We study the impact of stellar rotation on these processes. Methods. We compute the time evolution of star–planet systems consisting of a planet with an initial mass between 0.02 and 2.5 MJup (6 and 800 MEarth) in a quasi-circular orbit with an initial orbital distance between 0.01 and 0.10 au, around a solar-type star evolving from the pre-main-sequence (PMS) phase until the end of the main-sequence phase. We account for the evolution of: the stellar structure, the stellar angular momentum due to tides and magnetic braking, the tidal interactions (equilibrium and dynamical tides in stellar convective zones), the mass evaporation of the planet, and the secular evolution of the planetary orbit. We consider that at the beginning of the evolution, the proto-planetary disk has fully dissipated and planet formation is complete. Results. We find that both a rapid initial stellar rotation and a more efficient angular momentum transport inside the star, in general, contribute to the enlargement of the domain that is devoid of planets after the PMS phase, in the plane of planet mass versus orbital distance. Comparisons with the observed distribution of exoplanets orbiting solar mass stars, in the plane of planet mass versus orbital distance (addressing the “Neptunian desert” feature), show an encouraging agreement with the present simulations, especially since no attempts have been made to fine-tune the initial parameters of the models to fit the observations. We also obtain an upper limit for the orbital period of bare-core planets that agrees with observations of the “radius valley” feature in the plane of planetary radius versus the orbital period. Conclusions. The two effects, namely, tides and planetary evaporation, should be accounted for simultaneously and in a consistent way, with a detailed model for the evolution of the star.

Carrington Events

The Carrington event in 1859, a solar flare with an associated geomagnetic storm, has served as a prototype of possible superflare occurrence on the Sun. Recent geophysical (14C signatures in tree rings) and precise time-series photometry [the bolometric total solar irradiance (TSI) for the Sun, and the broadband photometry from Kepler and Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, for the stars] have broadened our perspective on extreme events and the threats that they pose for Earth and for Earth-like exoplanets. This review assesses the mutual solar and/or stellar lessons learned and the status of our theoretical understanding of the new data, both stellar and solar, as they relate to the physics of the Carrington event. The discussion includes the event's implied coronal mass ejection, its potential “solar cosmic ray” production, and the observed geomagnetic disturbances based on the multimessenger information already available in that era. Taking the Carrington event as an exemplar of the most extreme solar event, and in the context of our rich modern knowledge of solar flare and/or coronal mass ejection events, we discuss the aspects of these processes that might be relevant to activity on solar-type stars, and in particular their superflares. ▪ The Carrington flare of 1859, though powerful, did not significantly exceed the magnitudes of the greatest events observed in the modern era. ▪ Stellar “superflare” events on solar-type stars may share common paradigms, and also suggest the possibility of a more extreme solar event at some time in the future. ▪ We benefit from comparing the better-known microphysics of solar flares and coronal mass ejections with the diversity of related stellar phenomena.

The winds of young Solar-type stars in the Hyades

ABSTRACT Stellar winds govern the spin-down of Solar-type stars as they age, and play an important role in determining planetary habitability, as powerful winds can lead to atmospheric erosion. We calculate 3D stellar wind models for five young Solar-type stars in the Hyades cluster, using TOUPIES survey stellar magnetograms and state-of-the-art Alfvén wave-driven wind modelling. The stars have the same 0.6 Gyr age and similar fundamental parameters, and we account for the uncertainty in and underestimation of absolute field strength inherent in Zeeman–Doppler imaging by adopting both unscaled and scaled (by a factor of five) field strengths. For the unscaled fields, the resulting stellar wind mass-loss is 2–4 times greater and the angular momentum loss 2–10 times greater than for the Sun today, with the scaled results correspondingly greater. We compare our results with a range published of wind models and for the Alfvén wave-driven modelling see evidence of mass-loss saturation at ${\sim 10} \dot{M}_{\odot }$.

Precision Millimeter Astrometry of the α Centauri AB System

Abstract Alpha Centauri A is the closest solar-type star to the Sun and offers the best opportunity to find and ultimately to characterize an Earth-sized planet located in its habitable zone. Here, we describe initial results from an Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) program to search for planets in the α Cen AB system using differential astrometry at millimeter wavelengths. Our initial results include new absolute astrometric measurements of the proper motion, orbital motion and parallax of the α Cen system. These lead to an improved knowledge of the physical properties of both α Cen A and B. Our estimates of ALMA’s relative astrometric precision suggest that we will ultimately be sensitive to planets of a few tens of Earth mass in orbits from 1 to 3 au, where stable orbits are thought to exist.

Planets around young active solar-type stars: assessing detection capabilities from a non-stabilized spectrograph

ABSTRACT Short-orbit gas giant planet formation/evolution mechanisms are still not well understood. One promising pathway to discriminate between mechanisms is to constrain the occurrence rate of these peculiar exoplanets at the earliest stage of the system’s life. However, a major limitation when studying newly born stars is stellar activity. This cocktail of phenomena triggered by fast rotation, strong magnetic fields, and complex internal dynamics, especially present in very young stars, compromises our ability to detect exoplanets. In this paper, we investigated the limitations of such detections in the context of already acquired data solely using radial velocity data acquired with a non-stabilized spectrograph. We employed two strategies: Doppler Imaging and Gaussian Processes and could confidently detect hot Jupiters with a semi-amplitude of 100 m s−1 buried in the stellar activity. We also showed the advantages of the Gaussian Process approach in this case. This study serves as a proof of concept to identify potential candidates for follow-up observations or even discover such planets in legacy data sets available to the community.

On the Correlation between Hot Jupiters and Stellar Clustering: High-eccentricity Migration Induced by Stellar Flybys

Abstract A recent observational study suggests that the occurrence of hot Jupiters (HJs) around solar-type stars is correlated with stellar clustering. We study a new scenario for HJ formation, called “Flyby Induced High-e Migration,” that may help explain this correlation. In this scenario, stellar flybys excite the eccentricity and inclination of an outer companion (giant planet, brown dwarf, or low-mass star) at large distance (10–300 au), which then triggers high-e migration of an inner cold Jupiter (at a few astronomical units) through the combined effects of von Zeipel–Lidov–Kozai (ZLK) eccentricity oscillation and tidal dissipation. Using semianalytical calculations of the effective ZLK inclination window, together with numerical simulations of stellar flybys, we obtain the analytic estimate for the HJ occurrence rate in this formation scenario. We find that this “flyby induced high-e migration” could account for a significant fraction of the observed HJ population, although the result depends on several uncertain parameters, including the density and lifetime of birth stellar clusters, and the occurrence rate of the “cold Jupiter + outer companion” systems.

Activity of Two Young Stars of Solar Type with Planetary Systems from the Ursa Major Moving Group of Stars and the Stream Psc-Eri

Activity of Two Young Stars of Solar Type with Planetary Systems from the Ursa Major Moving Group of Stars and the Stream Psc-Eri