G. A. Verner

Ensemble asteroseismology of solar-type stars with the NASA Kepler mission.

Measurements of 500 Sun-like stars show that their properties differ from those predicted by stellar population models. In addition to its search for extrasolar planets, the NASA Kepler mission provides exquisite data on stellar oscillations. We report the detections of oscillations in 500 solar-type stars in the Kepler field of view, an ensemble that is large enough to allow statistical studies of intrinsic stellar properties (such as mass, radius, and age) and to test theories of stellar evolution. We find that the distribution of observed masses of these stars shows intriguing differences to predictions from models of synthetic stellar populations in the Galaxy.

Kepler-22b: A 2.4 Earth-radius Planet in the Habitable Zone of a Sun-like Star

A search of the time-series photometry from NASAs Kepler spacecraft reveals a transiting planet candidate orbiting the 11th magnitude G5 dwarf KIC 10593626 with a period of 290 days. The characteristics of the host star are well constrained by high-resolution spectroscopy combined with an asteroseismic analysis of the Kepler photometry, leading to an estimated mass and radius of 0.970 ± 0.060 M ☉ and 0.979 ± 0.020 R ☉. The depth of 492 ± 10 ppm for the three observed transits yields a radius of 2.38 ± 0.13 Re for the planet. The system passes a battery of tests for false positives, including reconnaissance spectroscopy, high-resolution imaging, and centroid motion. A full BLENDER analysis provides further validation of the planet interpretation by showing that contamination of the target by an eclipsing system would rarely mimic the observed shape of the transits. The final validation of the planet is provided by 16 radial velocities (RVs) obtained with the High Resolution Echelle Spectrometer on Keck I over a one-year span. Although the velocities do not lead to a reliable orbit and mass determination, they are able to constrain the mass to a 3σ upper limit of 124 M ⊕, safely in the regime of planetary masses, thus earning the designation Kepler-22b. The radiative equilibrium temperature is 262 K for a planet in Kepler-22bs orbit. Although there is no evidence that Kepler-22b is a rocky planet, it is the first confirmed planet with a measured radius to orbit in the habitable zone of any star other than the Sun.

CoRoT sounds the stars: p-mode parameters of Sun-like oscillations on HD 49933

Context. The first asteroseismology results from CoRoT are presented, on a star showing Sun-like oscillations. We have analyzed a 60 day lightcurve of high-quality photometric data collected by CoRoT on the F5 V star HD 49933. The data reveal a rich spectrum of overtones of low-degree p modes. Aims. Our aim was to extract robust estimates of the key parameters of the p modes observed in the power spectrum of the lightcurve. Methods. Estimation of the mode parameters was performed using maximum likelihood estimation of the power spectrum. A global fitting strategy was adopted whereby 15 mode orders of the mode spectrum (45 modes) were fitted simultaneously. Results. The parameter estimates that we list include mode frequencies, peak linewidths, mode amplitudes, and a mean rotational frequency splitting. We find that the average large frequency (overtone) spacing derived from the fitted mode frequencies is 85.9 ± 0.15 μHz. The frequency of maximum amplitude of the radial modes is at 1760 μHz, where the observed rms mode amplitude is 3.75 ± 0.23 ppm. The mean rotational splitting of the non-radial modes appears to be in the range ≈2.7 μHz to ≈3.4 μHz. The angle of inclination offered by the star, as determined by fits to the amplitude ratios of the modes, appears to be in the range ≈50 degrees to ≈62 degrees.

A Uniform Asteroseismic Analysis of 22 Solar-type Stars Observed by Kepler

Asteroseismology with the Kepler space telescope is providing not only an improved characterization of exoplanets and their host stars, but also a new window on stellar structure and evolution for the large sample of solar-type stars in the field. We perform a uniform analysis of 22 of the brightest asteroseismic targets with the highest signal-to-noise ratio observed for 1 month each during the first year of the mission, and we quantify the precision and relative accuracy of asteroseismic determinations of the stellar radius, mass, and age that are possible using various methods. We present the properties of each star in the sample derived from an automated analysis of the individual oscillation frequencies and other observational constraints using the Asteroseismic Modeling Portal (AMP), and we compare them to the results of model-grid-based methods that fit the global oscillation properties. We find that fitting the individual frequencies typically yields asteroseismic radii and masses to ~1% precision, and ages to ~2.5% precision (respectively, 2, 5, and 8 times better than fitting the global oscillation properties). The absolute level of agreement between the results from different approaches is also encouraging, with model-grid-based methods yielding slightly smaller estimates of the radius and mass and slightly older values for the stellar age relative to AMP, which computes a large number of dedicated models for each star. The sample of targets for which this type of analysis is possible will grow as longer data sets are obtained during the remainder of the mission.

A PRECISE ASTEROSEISMIC AGE AND RADIUS FOR THE EVOLVED SUN-LIKE STAR KIC 11026764

The primary science goal of the Kepler Mission is to provide a census of exoplanets in the solar neighborhood, including the identification and characterization of habitable Earth-like planets. The asteroseismic capabilities of the mission are being used to determine precise radii and ages for the target stars from their solar-like oscillations. Chaplin et al. published observations of three bright G-type stars, which were monitored during the first 33.5 days of science operations. One of these stars, the subgiant KIC 11026764, exhibits a characteristic pattern of oscillation frequencies suggesting that it has evolved significantly. We have derived asteroseismic estimates of the properties of KIC 11026764 from Kepler photometry combined with ground-based spectroscopic data. We present the results of detailed modeling for this star, employing a variety of independent codes and analyses that attempt to match the asteroseismic and spectroscopic constraints simultaneously. We determine both the radius and the age of KIC 11026764 with a precision near 1%, and an accuracy near 2% for the radius and 15% for the age. Continued observations of this star promise to reveal additional oscillation frequencies that will further improve the determination of its fundamental properties.

Kepler-21b: A 1.6 R Earth Planet Transiting the Bright Oscillating F Subgiant Star HD?179070

We present Kepler observations of the bright (V = 8.3), oscillating star HD 179070. The observations show transit-like events which reveal that the star is orbited every 2.8 days by a small, 1.6 R Earth object. Seismic studies of HD 179070 using short cadence Kepler observations show that HD 179070 has a frequency-power spectrum consistent with solar-like oscillations that are acoustic p-modes. Asteroseismic analysis provides robust values for the mass and radius of HD 179070, 1.34 ± 0.06 M ☉ and 1.86 ± 0.04 R ☉, respectively, as well as yielding an age of 2.84 ± 0.34 Gyr for this F5 subgiant. Together with ground-based follow-up observations, analysis of the Kepler light curves and image data, and blend scenario models, we conservatively show at the >99.7% confidence level (3σ) that the transit event is caused by a 1.64 ± 0.04 R Earth exoplanet in a 2.785755 ± 0.000032 day orbit. The exoplanet is only 0.04 AU away from the star and our spectroscopic observations provide an upper limit to its mass of ~10 M Earth (2σ). HD 179070 is the brightest exoplanet host star yet discovered by Kepler.

Oscillation mode frequencies of 61 main sequence and subgiant stars observed by Kepler

Context. Solar-like oscillations have been observed by Kepler and CoRoT in several solar-type stars, thereby providing a way to probe the stars using asteroseismology Aims. We provide the mode frequencies of the oscillations of various stars required to perform a comparison with those obtained from stellar modelling. Methods. We used a time series of nine months of data for each star. The 61 stars observed were categorised in three groups: simple, F-like, and mixed-mode. The simple group includes stars for which the identification of the mode degree is obvious. The F-like group includes stars for which the identification of the degree is ambiguous. The mixed-mode group includes evolved stars for which the modes do not follow the asymptotic relation of low-degree frequencies. Following this categorisation, the power spectra of the 61 main-sequence and subgiant stars were analysed using both maximum likelihood estimators and Bayesian estimators, providing individual mode characteristics such as frequencies, linewidths, and mode heights. We developed and describe a methodology for extracting a single set of mode frequencies from multiple sets derived by different methods and individual scientists. We report on how one can assess the quality of the fitted parameters using the likelihood ratio test and the posterior probabilities. Results. We provide the mode frequencies of 61 stars (with their 1-σ error bars), as well as their associated echelle diagrams.

Solar p-mode frequencies over three solar cycles

We analyze thirty years of solar oscillations data collected by the Birmingham Solar Oscillations Network (BiSON). Estimates of the mean frequency shifts of low-degree p-modes have been extracted over a period spanning solar cycles 21-23. Two methods of analysis are used to extract the frequency shifts: one method uses results on fitted frequencies of individual modes, which are then averaged to give mean frequency shifts; the other method uses cross-correlations of power frequency spectra made from subsets of the data shifted in time. The frequency shifts are correlated against six proxies of solar activity, which are sensitive to magnetic and irradiance variability at a range of locations from the photosphere to the corona. We find proxies that have good sensitivity to the effects of weak-component magnetic flux—which is more widely distributed in latitude than the strong flux in the active regions—are those that follow the frequency shifts most consistently over the three cycles. This list includes the Mg II H and K core-to-wing data, the 10.7 cm radio flux, and the He I equivalent width data. While the two methods of analysis give consistent results, use of the cross-correlation function to measure mean frequency shifts returns less precise values in cases in which the duty cycle is greater than 30%. Estimation of uncertainties from the cross-correlation method also requires that proper allowance be made for strong correlations in the data.

Seismic and spectroscopic characterization of the solar-like pulsating CoRoT target HD 49385

Context. The star HD 49385 is the first G-type solar-like pulsator observed in the seismology field of the space telescope CoRoT. The satellite collected 137 days of high-precision photometric data on this star, confirming that it presents solar-like oscillations. HD 49385 was also observed in spectroscopy with the NARVAL spectrograph in January 2009. Aims. Our goal is to characterize HD 49385 using both spectroscopic and seismic data. Methods. The fundamental stellar parameters of HD 49385 are derived with the semi-automatic software VWA, and the projected rotational velocity is estimated by fitting synthetic profiles to isolated lines in the observed spectrum. A maximum likelihood estimation is used to determine the parameters of the observed p modes. We perform a global fit, in which modes are fitted simultaneously over nine radial orders, with degrees ranging from � = 0t o� = 3 (36 individual modes). Results. Precise estimates of the atmospheric parameters (Teff ,[ M/H], log g) and of the v sini of HD 49385 are obtained. The seismic analysis of the star leads to a clear identification of the modes for degrees � = 0, 1, 2. Around the maximum of the signal (ν � 1013 μHz), some peaks are found significant and compatible with the expected characteristics of � = 3 modes. Our fit yields robust estimates of the frequencies, linewidths and amplitudes of the modes. We find amplitudes of ∼5.6 ± 0.8 ppm for radial modes at the maximum of the signal. The lifetimes of the modes range from one day (at high frequency) to a bit more than two days (at low frequency). Significant peaks are found outside the identified ridges and are fitted. They are attributed to mixed modes.

Accurate p-mode measurements of the G0V metal-rich CoRoT target HD 52265

Context. The star HD 52265 is a G0V metal-rich exoplanet-host star observed in the seismology field of the CoRoT space telescope from November 2008 to March 2009. The satellite collected 117 days of high-precision photometric data on this star, showing that it presents solar-like oscillations. HD 52265 was also observed in spectroscopy with the Narval spectrograph at the same epoch. Aims. We characterise HD 52265 using both spectroscopic and seismic data. Methods. The fundamental stellar parameters of HD 52265 were derived with the semi-automatic software VWA, and the projected rotational velocity was estimated by fitting synthetic profiles to isolated lines in the observed spectrum. The parameters of the observed p modes were determined with a maximum-likelihood estimation. We performed a global fit of the oscillation spectrum, over about ten radial orders, for degrees l = 0 to 2. We also derived the properties of the granulation, and analysed a signature of the rotation induced by the photospheric magnetic activity. Results. Precise determinations of fundamental parameters have been obtained: Teff = 6100 ± 60 K, log g = 4.35 ± 0.09, [M/H] = 0.19 ± 0.05, as well as v sini = 3.6 +0.3 −1.0 km s −1 . We have measured a mean rotation period P rot = 12.3 ± 0.15 days, and find a signature of differential rotation. The frequencies of 31 modes are reported in the range 1500–2550 μHz. The large separation exhibits a clear modulation around the mean value Δν = 98.3 ± 0.1 μHz. Mode widths vary with frequency along an S-shape with a clear local maximum around 1800 μHz. We deduce lifetimes ranging between 0.5 and 3 days for these modes. Finally, we find a maximal bolometric amplitude of about 3.96 ± 0.24 ppm for radial modes.