Sub-milliarcsecond Precision Research Articles

GaiaData Release 3

Context.The astrometric discovery of sub-stellar mass companions orbiting stars is exceedingly hard due to the required sub-milliarcsecond precision, limiting the application of this technique to only a few instruments on a target-per-target basis and to the global astrometry space missions HIPPARCOSandGaia. The thirdGaiadata release (GaiaDR3) includes the firstGaiaastrometric orbital solutions whose sensitivity in terms of estimated companion mass extends down to the planetary-mass regime.Aims.We present the contribution of the exoplanet pipeline to theGaiaDR3 sample of astrometric orbital solutions by describing the methods used for fitting the orbits, the identification of significant solutions, and their validation. We then present an overview of the statistical properties of the solution parameters.Methods.Using both a Markov chain Monte Carlo and a genetic algorithm, we fitted the 34 months ofGaiaDR3 astrometric time series with a single Keplerian astrometric-orbit model that had 12 free parameters and an additional jitter term, and retained the solutions with the lowestχ2. Verification and validation steps were taken using significance tests, internal consistency checks using theGaiaradial velocity measurements (when available), as well as literature radial velocity and astrometric data, leading to a subset of candidates that were labelled “validated”.Results.We determined astrometric-orbit solutions for 1162 sources, and 198 solutions were assigned the “Validated” label. Precise companion-mass estimates require external information and are presented elsewhere. To broadly categorise the different mass regimes in this paper, we use the pseudo-companion massM̃cassuming a solar-mass host and define three solution groups: 17 (9 validated) solutions with companions in the planetary-mass regime (M̃c< 20MJ), 52 (29 validated) in the brown dwarf regime (20MJ≤M̃c≤ 120 MJ), and 1093 (160 validated) in the low-mass stellar companion regime (M̃c> 120MJ). From internal and external verification and validation, we estimate the level of spurious and incorrect solutions in our sample to be ∼5% and ∼10% in the ‘OrbitalAlternative’ and ‘OrbitalTargetedSearch’ candidate sample, respectively.Conclusions.We demonstrate thatGaiais able to confirm and sometimes refine the orbits of known orbital companions and to identify new candidates, providing us with a positive outlook for the expected harvest from the full mission data in future data releases.

A stellar occultation by the transneptunian object (50000) Quaoar observed by CHEOPS

Context. Stellar occultation is a powerful technique that allows the determination of some physical parameters of the occulting object. The result depends on the photometric accuracy, the temporal resolution, and the number of chords obtained. Space telescopes can achieve high photometric accuracy as they are not affected by atmospheric scintillation. Aims. Using ESA’s CHEOPS space telescope, we observed a stellar occultation by the transneptunian object (50000) Quaoar. We compare the obtained chord with previous occultations by this object and determine its astrometry with sub-milliarcsecond precision. Also, we determine upper limits to the presence of a global methane atmosphere on the occulting body. Methods. We predicted and observed a stellar occultation by Quaoar using the CHEOPS space telescope. We measured the occultation light curve from this dataset and determined the dis- and reappearance of the star behind the occulting body. Furthermore, a ground-based telescope in Australia was used to constrain Quaoar’s limb. Combined with results from previous works, these measurements allowed us to obtain a precise position of Quaoar at the occultation time. Results. We present the results obtained from the first stellar occultation by a transneptunian object using a space telescope orbiting Earth; it was the occultation by Quaoar observed on 2020 June 11. We used the CHEOPS light curve to obtain a surface pressure upper limit of 85 nbar for the detection of a global methane atmosphere. Also, combining this observation with a ground-based observation, we fitted Quaoar’s limb to determine its astrometric position with an uncertainty below 1.0 mas. Conclusions. This observation is the first of its kind, and it shall be considered as a proof of concept of stellar occultation observations of transneptunian objects with space telescopes orbiting Earth. Moreover, it shows significant prospects for the James Webb Space Telescope.

On-sky Closed-loop Correction of Atmospheric Dispersion for High-contrast Coronagraphy and Astrometry

Adaptive optic (AO) systems delivering high levels of wavefront correction are now common at observatories. One of the main limitations to image quality after wavefront correction comes from atmospheric refraction. An atmospheric dispersion compensator (ADC) is employed to correct for atmospheric refraction. The correction is applied based on a look-up table consisting of dispersion values as a function of telescope elevation angle. The look-up table-based correction of atmospheric dispersion results in imperfect compensation leading to the presence of residual dispersion in the point spread function (PSF) and is insufficient when sub-milliarcsecond precision is required. The presence of residual dispersion can limit the achievable contrast while employing high-performance coronagraphs or can compromise high-precision astrometric measurements. In this paper, we present the first on-sky closed-loop correction of atmospheric dispersion by directly using science path images. The concept behind the measurement of dispersion utilizes the chromatic scaling of focal plane speckles. An adaptive speckle grid generated with a deformable mirror (DM) that has a sufficiently large number of actuators is used to accurately measure the residual dispersion and subsequently correct it by driving the ADC. We have demonstrated with the Subaru Coronagraphic Extreme AO (SCExAO) system on-sky closed-loop correction of residual dispersion to <1 mas across H-band. This work will aid in the direct detection of habitable exoplanets with upcoming extremely large telescopes (ELTs) and also provide a diagnostic tool to test the performance of instruments which require sub-milliarcsecond correction.

Binary star astrometry with milli and sub-milli arcsecond precision

The past several decades have seen accelerating progress in improving binary stars fundamental parameters determinations, as new observational techniques have produced visual orbits of many spectroscopic binaries with a milli arcsecond precision. Modern astrometry is rapidly approaching the goal of sub-milli arcsecond precision, and although presently this precision has been achieved only for a limited number of binary stars, in the near future this will become a standard for very large number of objects. In this paper we review the representative results of techniques which have already allowed the sub-milli arcsecond precision like the optical long baseline interferometry, as well as the precursor techniques such as speckle interferometry, adaptive optics and aperture masking. These techniques provide a step forward from milli to sub-milli arcsecond precision, allowing even short period binaries to be resolved, and often resulting in orbits allowing precisions in stellar dynamical masses better than 1%. We point out that such unprecedented precisions should allow for a significant improvement of our comprehension of stellar physics and other related astrophysical topics.

THE BENEFITS OF VLBI ASTROMETRY TO PULSAR TIMING ARRAY SEARCHES FOR GRAVITATIONAL RADIATION

Precision astrometry is an integral component of successful pulsar timing campaigns. Astrometric parameters are commonly derived by fitting them as parameters of a timing model to a series of pulse times of arrival (TOAs). TOAs measured to microsecond precision over several-year spans can yield position measurements with sub-milliarcsecond precision. However, timing-based astrometry can become biased if a pulsar displays any red spin noise, which can be compared to the red noise signal produced by the stochastic gravitational wave background. We investigate how noise of different spectral types is absorbed by timing models, leading to significant estimation errors in the astrometric parameters. We find that commonly used techniques for fitting timing models in the presence of red noise (Cholesky whitening) prevent the absorption of noise into the timing model remarkably well if the time baseline of observations exceeds several years, but are inadequate for dealing with shorter pulsar data sets. Independent of timing, pulsar-optimized very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) is capable of providing position estimates precise to the sub-milliarcsecond levels needed for high-precision timing. We compute a necessary transformation between the International Celestial Reference Frame and pulsar timing frames and quantitatively discuss how the transformation will improve in coming years. We find that incorporating VLBI astrometry into the timing models of pulsars for which only a couple of years of timing data exist will lead to more realistic assessments of red spin noise and could enhance the amplitude of gravitational wave signatures in post-fit timing residuals by factors of 20 or more.

Probing the properties of Be star discs with spectroastrometry and NLTE radiative transfer modelling: β CMi

ABSTRACT While the presence of discs around classical Be stars is well established, their origin is still uncertain. To understand what processes result in the creation of these discs and how angular momentum is transported within them, their physical properties must be constrained. This requires comparing high spatial and spectral resolution data with detailed radiative transfer modelling. We present a high spectral resolution, R∼ 80 000, sub-milliarcsecond precision, spectroastrometric study of the circumstellar disc around the Be star β CMi. The data are confronted with 3D, non-local thermodynamic equilibrium radiative transfer calculations to directly constrain the properties of the disc. Furthermore, we compare the data to disc models featuring two velocity laws: Keplerian, the prediction of the viscous disc model, and angular momentum conserving rotation. It is shown that the observations of β CMi can only be reproduced using Keplerian rotation. The agreement between the model and the observed spectral energy distribution, polarization and spectroastrometric signature of β CMi confirms that the discs around Be stars are well modelled as viscous decretion discs.

THE STRUCTURE AND DYNAMICS OF MOLECULAR GAS IN PLANET-FORMING ZONES: A CRIRES SPECTRO-ASTROMETRIC SURVEY

We present a spectro-astrometric survey of molecular gas in the inner regions of 16 protoplanetary disks using CRIRES, the high resolution infrared imaging spectrometer on the Very Large Telescope. Spectro-astrometry with CRIRES measures the spatial extent of line emission to sub-milliarcsecond precision, or <0.2 AU at the distance of the observed targets. The sample consists of gas-rich disks surrounding stars with spectral types ranging from K to A. The properties of the spectro-astrometric signals divide the sources into two distinct phenomenological classes: one that shows clear Keplerian astrometric spectra, and one in which the astrometric signatures are dominated by gas with strong non-Keplerian (radial) motions. Similarly to the near-infrared continuum emission, as determined by interferometry, we find that the size of the CO line emitting region in the Keplerian sources obeys a size-luminosity relation as $R_CO L_*^0.5. The non-Keplerian spectro-astrometric signatures are likely indicative of the presence of wide-angle disk winds. The central feature of the winds is a strong sub-Keplerian velocity field due to conservation of angular momentum as the wind pressure drives the gas outwards. We construct a parametrized 2-dimensional disk+wind model that reproduces the observed characteristics the observed CO spectra and astrometry. The modeled winds indicate mass-loss rates of >10^-10 to 10^-8 Msol/yr. We suggest a unifying model in which all disks have slow molecular winds, but where the magnitude of the mass-loss rate determines the degree to which the mid-infrared molecular lines are dominated by the wind relative to the Keplerian disk surface.

R Cassiopeiae: Relative Strengths of SiO Masers at 43 and 86 GHz

We present simultaneous VLBI maps of the J = 1 → 0 (43.1 GHz) and J = 2 → 1 (86.2 GHz) silicon monoxide (SiO) v = 1 masers in the circumstellar envelope of the asymptotic giant branch star R Cassiopeiae that have been registered to submilliarcsecond precision. Our images allow specific comparisons of maser strengths from volumes that are about 1/10 AU in projected size. Bright 86.2 GHz v = 1 masers in two cases operate from the same gas volumes as the 43.1 GHz v = 1 masers. The relative strengths of the 43.1 and 86.2 GHz masers vary from roughly unity to lower limits of several hundred to 1. The low strength of J = 2 → 1 masers relative to J = 1 → 0 might arise from neutral densities of H2 ≤ 4 × 109 cm-3 at 1.5-2 times the photospheric radius from R Cas. The SiO masers of R Cas at this epoch are not consistent with emission models that employ pulsation-driven shocks unless the phasing of such models can be shifted.

Sub-Milliarcsecond Precision of Pulsar Motions: Using In-Beam Calibrators with the VLBA

We present Very Long Baseline Array phase-referenced measurements of the parallax and proper motion of two pulsars, B0919+06 and B1857-26. Sub-milliarcsecond positional accuracy was obtained by simultaneously observing a weak calibrator source within the 40' field of view of the VLBA at 1.5 GHz. We discuss the merits of using weak close calibrator sources for VLBI observations at low frequencies, and outline a method of observation and data reduction for these type of measurements. For the pulsar B1919+06 we measure a parallax of 0.31 +/- 0.14 mas. The accuracy of the proper motions is approximately 0.5 mas, an order of magnitude improvement over most previous determinations.

ITAL]Hubble Space Telescope[/ITAL] Fine Guidance Sensor Astrometric Parallaxesfor Three Dwarf Novae: SS Aurigae, SS Cygni, and U Geminorum

We report astrometric parallaxes for three well-known dwarf novae obtained using the Fine Guidance Sensors on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). We found a parallax for SS Aurigae of π=5.00±0.64 mas, for SS Cygni we found π=6.02±0.46 mas, and for U Geminorum we obtained π=10.37±0.50 mas. These represent the first true trigonometric parallaxes of any dwarf novae. We briefly compare these results with previous distance estimates. This program demonstrates that with a very modest amount of HST observing time, the Fine Guidance Sensors can deliver parallaxes with sub-milliarcsecond precision.

Hubble Space Telescope: A Generator of Sub-Milliarcsecond Precision Parallaxes

Hubble Space Telescope Fine Guidance Sensor 3 can generate sub-milliarcsecond precision parallaxes in eighteen months. We discuss the internal precision and external accuracy of our observations of Proxima Centauri and Barnard's Star. For some classes of targets Hubble Space Telescope will remain the parallax tool of choice for years to come. It can offer 0.5 mas precision. It will remain useful by satisfying urgent needs for quick results, by offering a 13 magnitude dynamic range, and by providing an unparalleled binary dissection capability.