To measure transition probabilities for CrII transitions from the z^4^H_J_, z^2^D_J_, y^4^F_J_ and y^4^G_J_ levels in the energy range 63000 to 68000cm^-1^. Radiative lifetimes were measured using time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence from a laser-produced plasma. In addition, branching fractions were determined from intensity calibrated spectra recorded with a UV Fourier transform spectrometer. The branching fractions and radiative lifetimes have been combined to yield accurate transition probabilities and oscillator strengths. We present laboratory measured transition probabilities for 145 CrII lines and radiative lifetimes for 14 CrII levels. The laboratory measured transition probabilities are compared to the values from semi-empirical calculations and laboratory measurements in the literature.
We recently reported the first identification of rotational transitions of methyl formate (HCOOCH_3_) in the second torsionally excited state toward Orion Kleinmann-Low (KL), observed with the Nobeyama 45 m telescope. In combination with the identified transitions of methyl formate in the ground state and the first torsional excited state, it was found that there is a difference in rotational temperature and vibrational temperature, where the latter is higher. In this study, high spatial resolution analysis by using Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA) science verification data was carried out to verify and understand this difference. Toward the Compact Ridge, two different velocity components at 7.3 and 9.1 km/s were confirmed, while a single component at 7.3 km/s was identified toward the Hot Core. The intensity maps in the ground, first, and second torsional excited states have quite similar distributions. Using extensive ALMA data, we determined the rotational and vibrational temperatures for the Compact Ridge and Hot Core by the conventional rotation diagram method. The rotational temperature and vibrational temperatures agree for the Hot Core and for one component of the Compact Ridge. At the 7.3 km/s velocity component for the Compact Ridge, the rotational temperature was found to be higher than the vibrational temperature. This is different from what we obtained from the results by using the single-dish observation. The difference might be explained by the beam dilution effect of the single-dish data and/or the smaller number of observed transitions within the limited range of energy levels (<=30 K) of E_u_ in the previous study.
The CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite (CHEOPS) was selected on October 19, 2012, as the first small mission (S-mission) in the ESA Science Programme and successfully launched on December 18, 2019, as a secondary passenger on a Soyuz-Fregat rocket from Kourou, French Guiana. CHEOPS is a partnership between ESA and Switzerland with important contributions by ten additional ESA Member States. CHEOPS is the first mission dedicated to search for transits of exoplanets using ultrahigh precision photometry on bright stars already known to host planets. As a follow-up mission, CHEOPS is mainly dedicated to improving, whenever possible, existing radii measurements or provide first accurate measurements for a subset of those planets for which the mass has already been estimated from ground-based spectroscopic surveys. The expected photometric precision will also allow CHEOPS to go beyond measuring only transits and to follow phase curves or to search for exo-moons, for example. Finally, by unveiling transiting exoplanets with high potential for in-depth characterisation, CHEOPS will also provide prime targets for future instruments suited to the spectroscopic characterisation of exoplanetary atmospheres. To reach its science objectives, requirements on the photometric precision and stability have been derived for stars with magnitudes ranging from 6 to 12 in the V band. In particular, CHEOPS shall be able to detect Earth-size planets transiting G5 dwarf stars (stellar radius of 0.9R_sun_) in the magnitude range 6<V<9 by achieving a photometric precision of 20 ppm in 6 hours of integration time. In the case of K-type stars (stellar radius of 0.7R_{sun}_) of magnitude in the range 9<V<12, CHEOPS shall be able to detect transiting Neptune-size planets achieving a photometric precision of 85ppm in 3 hours of integration time. This precision has to be maintained over continuous periods of observation for up to 48 hours. This precision and stability will be achieved by using a single, frame-transfer, back-illuminated CCD detector at the focal plane assembly of a 33.5cm diameter, on-axis Ritchey-Chretien telescope. The nearly 275kg spacecraft is nadir-locked, with a pointing accuracy of about 1arcsec rms, and will allow for at least 1Gbit/day downlink. The sun-synchronous dusk-dawn orbit at 700km altitude enables having the Sun permanently on the backside of the spacecraft thus minimising Earth stray light. A mission duration of 3.5 years in orbit is foreseen to enable the execution of the science programme. During this period, 20% of the observing time is available to the wider community through yearly ESA call for proposals, as well as through discretionary time approved by ESA's Director of Science. At the time of this writing, CHEOPS commissioning has been completed and CHEOPS has been shown to fulfill all its requirements. The mission has now started the execution of its science programme.
The super-Earth GJ1214b transits a nearby M dwarf that exhibits a 1% intrinsic variability in the near-infrared. Here, we analyze new observations to refine the physical properties of both the star and planet. We present three years of out-of-transit photometric monitoring of the stellar host GJ1214 from the MEarth Observatory and find the rotation period to be long, most likely an integer multiple of 53 days, suggesting low levels of magnetic activity and an old age for the system. We show that such variability will not pose significant problems to ongoing studies of the planet's atmosphere with transmission spectroscopy. We analyze two high-precision transit light curves from ESO's Very Large Telescope (VLT) along with seven others from the MEarth and Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory 1.2m telescopes, finding physical parameters for the planet that are consistent with previous work. The VLT light curves show tentative evidence for spot occultations during transit. Using two years of MEarth light curves, we place limits on additional transiting planets around GJ1214 with periods out to the habitable zone of the system. We also improve upon the previous photographic V-band estimate for the star, finding V=14.71+/-0.03.
We present new photometric data of the transiting planet HAT-P-12b observed in 2011. Our three transit curves are modeled using the JKTEBOP code and adopting the quadratic limb-darkening law. Including our measurements, 18 transit times spanning about 4.2yr were used to determine the improved ephemeris with a transit epoch of 2454187.85560+/-0.00011BJD and an orbital period of 3.21305961+/-0.00000035days. The physical properties of the star-planet system are computed using empirical calibrations from eclipsing binary stars and stellar evolutionary models, combined with both our transit parameters and previously known spectroscopic results. We found that the absolute dimensions of the host star are M_A_=0.73+/-0.02M{sun}, R_A_=0.70+/-0.01R_{sun}_, log g_A_=4.61+/-0.02, p_A_=2.10+/-0.09{rho}{sun}, and L_A_=0.21+/-0.01L_{sun}_. The planetary companion has M_b_=0.21+/-0.01M_{Jup}_, R_b_=0.94+/-0.01R_{Jup}_, log g_b_=2.77+/-0.02, {rho}_b_=0.24+/-0.01{rho}_{Jup}_, and T_eq_=960+/-14K. Our results agree well with standard models of irradiated gas giants with a core mass of 11.3M_{earth}_.
A possible transit of HAT-P-13c has been predicted to occur on 2010 April 28. Here we report on the results of a multi-site campaign that has been organised to detect the event. CCD photometric observations have been carried out at five observatories in five countries. We reached 30% time coverage in a 5 days interval centered on the suspected transit of HAT-P-13c. Two transits of HAT-P-13b were also observed. No transit of HAT-P-13c has been detected while the campaign was on. By a numerical experiment with 10^5^ model systems we conclude that HAT-P-13c is not a transiting exoplanet with a significance level from 65% to 72%, depending on the planet parameters and the prior assumptions. We present two times of transit of HAT-P-13b ocurring at BJD 2455141.5522+/-0.0010 and BJD 2455249.4508+/-0.0020. The TTV of HAT-P-13b is consistent with zero within 0.001 days. The refined orbital period of HAT-P-13b is 2.916293+/-0.000010 days.
We present photometry of HD 189733 during eight transits of its close-in giant planet, and out-of-transit photometry spanning 2yr. Using the transit photometry, we determine the stellar and planetary radii and the photometric ephemeris. Outside of transits, there are quasi-periodic flux variations with a 13.4-day period that we attribute to stellar rotation. In combination with previous results, we derive upper limits on the orbital eccentricity and on the true angle between the stellar rotation axis and planetary orbit (as opposed to the angle between the projections of those axes on the sky).
The TRAPPIST-1 planetary system provides an exceptional opportunity for the atmospheric characterization of temperate terrestrial exoplanets with the upcoming James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). Assessing the potential impact of stellar contamination on the planets' transit transmission spectra is an essential precursor to this characterization. Planetary transits themselves can be used to scan the stellar photosphere and to constrain its heterogeneity through transit depth variations in time and wavelength. In this context, we present our analysis of 169 transits observed in the optical from space with K2 and from the ground with the SPECULOOS and Liverpool telescopes. Combining our measured transit depths with literature results gathered in the mid-/near-IR with Spitzer/IRAC and HST/WFC3, we construct the broadband transmission spectra of the TRAPPIST-1 planets over the 0.8-4.5 {mu}m spectral range. While planet b, d, and f spectra show some structures at the 200-300 ppm level, the four others are globally flat. Even if we cannot discard their instrumental origins, two scenarios seem to be favored by the data: a stellar photosphere dominated by a few high-latitude giant (cold) spots, or, alternatively, by a few small and hot (3500-4000 K) faculae. In both cases, the stellar contamination of the transit transmission spectra is expected to be less dramatic than predicted in recent papers. Nevertheless, based on our results, stellar contamination can still be of comparable or greater order than planetary atmospheric signals at certain wavelengths. Understanding and correcting the effects of stellar heterogeneity therefore appears essential for preparing for the exploration of TRAPPIST-1 with JWST.
The WASP-10 planetary system is intriguing because different values of radius have been reported for its transiting exoplanet. The host star exhibits activity in terms of photometric variability, which is caused by the rotational modulation of the spots. Moreover, a periodic modulation has been discovered in transit timing of WASP-10 b, which could be a sign of an additional body perturbing the orbital motion of the transiting planet. We attempt to refine the physical parameters of the system, in particular the planetary radius, which is crucial for studying the internal structure of the transiting planet. We also determine new mid-transit times to confirm or refute observed anomalies in transit timing. We acquired high-precision light curves for four transits of WASP-10 b in 2010. Assuming various limb-darkening laws, we generated best-fit models and redetermined parameters of the system. The prayer-bead method and Monte Carlo simulations were used to derive error estimates. Three transit light curves exhibit signatures of the occultations of dark spots by the planet during its passage across the stellar disk. The influence of stellar activity on transit depth is taken into account while determining system parameters. The radius of WASP-10 b is found to be no greater than 1.03^+0.07^_-0.03_ Jupiter radii, a value significantly smaller than most previous studies indicate. We calculate interior structure models of the planet, assuming a two-layer structure with one homogeneous envelope atop a rock core. The high value of the WASP-10 b's mean density allows one to consider the planet's internal structure including 270 to 450 Earth masses of heavy elements. Our new mid-transit times confirm that transit timing cannot be explained by a constant period if all literature data points are considered. They are consistent with the ephemeris assuming a periodic variation of transit timing. We show that possible starspot features affecting the transit's ingress or egress cannot reproduce variations in transit timing at the observed amplitude.
