Travis S. Barman

Direct Imaging of Multiple Planets Orbiting the Star HR 8799

Direct imaging of exoplanetary systems is a powerful technique that can reveal Jupiter-like planets in wide orbits, can enable detailed characterization of planetary atmospheres, and is a key step toward imaging Earth-like planets. Imaging detections are challenging because of the combined effect of small angular separation and large luminosity contrast between a planet and its host star. High-contrast observations with the Keck and Gemini telescopes have revealed three planets orbiting the star HR 8799, with projected separations of 24, 38, and 68 astronomical units. Multi-epoch data show counter clockwise orbital motion for all three imaged planets. The low luminosity of the companions and the estimated age of the system imply planetary masses between 5 and 13 times that of Jupiter. This system resembles a scaled-up version of the outer portion of our solar system.

Evolutionary models for cool brown dwarfs and extrasolar giant planets. The Case of HD 209458

We present evolutionary models for cool brown dwarfs and extra-solar giant planets. The models re- produce the main trends of observed methane dwarfs in near-IR color-magnitude diagrams. We also present evolutionary models for irradiated planets, coupling for the first time irradiated atmosphere profiles and inner structures. We focus on HD 209458-like systems and show that irradiation effects can substantially affect the ra- dius of sub-jovian mass giant planets. Irradiation effects, however, cannot alone explain the large observed radius of HD 209458b. Adopting assumptions which optimise irradiation effects and taking into account the extension of the outer atmospheric layers, we still find � 20% discrepancy between observed and theoretical radii. An extra source of energy seems to be required to explain the observed value of the first transit planet.

Low-Temperature Opacities

Previous computations of low-temperature Rosseland and Planck mean opacities from Alexander & Ferguson areupdatedandexpanded.Thenewcomputationsincludeamorecompleteequationofstate(EOS)withmoregrain species and updated optical constants. Grains are now explicitly included in thermal equilibrium in the EOS calculation, which allows for a much wider range of grain compositions to be accurately included than was previously the case. The inclusion of high-temperature condensates such as Al2O3 and CaTiO3 significantly affects the total opacityoveranarrowrangeoftemperaturesbeforetheappearanceofthefirstsilicategrains.Thenewopacitytables are tabulated for temperatures ranging from 30,000 to 500 K with gas densities from 10 � 4 to 10 � 19 gc m � 3 .C omparisons with previous Rosseland mean opacity calculations are discussed. At high temperatures, the agreement with OPAL and Opacity Project is quite good. Comparisons at lower temperatures are more divergent as a result of differences in molecular and grain physics included in different calculations. The computation of Planck mean opacities performed with the opacity sampling method is shown to require a very large number of opacity sampling wavelength points; previously published results obtained with fewer wavelength points are shown to be significantly in error. Methods for requesting or obtaining the new tables are provided. Subject heading gs: atomic data — equation of state — methods: numerical — molecular data

Images of a fourth planet orbiting HR 8799

High-contrast near-infrared imaging of the nearby star HR 8799 has shown three giant planets. Such images were possible because of the wide orbits (>25 astronomical units, where 1 au is the Earth–Sun distance) and youth (<100 Myr) of the imaged planets, which are still hot and bright as they radiate away gravitational energy acquired during their formation. An important area of contention in the exoplanet community is whether outer planets (>10 au) more massive than Jupiter form by way of one-step gravitational instabilities or, rather, through a two-step process involving accretion of a core followed by accumulation of a massive outer envelope composed primarily of hydrogen and helium. Here we report the presence of a fourth planet, interior to and of about the same mass as the other three. The system, with this additional planet, represents a challenge for current planet formation models as none of them can explain the in situ formation of all four planets. With its four young giant planets and known cold/warm debris belts, the HR 8799 planetary system is a unique laboratory in which to study the formation and evolution of giant planets at wide (>10 au) separations.

A new extensive library of PHOENIX stellar atmospheres and synthetic spectra

Aims. We present a new library of high-resolution synthetic spectra based on the stellar atmosphere code PHOENIX that can be used for a wide range of applications of spectral analysis and stellar parameter synthesis. Methods. The spherical mode of PHOENIX was used to create model atmospheres and to derive detailed synthetic stellar spectra from them. We present a new self-consistent way of describing micro-turbulence for our model atmospheres. Results. The synthetic spectra cover the wavelength range from 500 A to 5.5 μm with resolutions of R = 500 000 in the optical and near IR, R = 100 000 in the IR and Δλ = 0.1 A in the UV. The parameter space covers 2300 K ≤ Teff ≤ 12 000 K, 0.0 ≤ log g ≤ +6.0, −4.0 ≤ [Fe/H] ≤ +1.0, and −0.2 ≤ [α/Fe] ≤ +1.2. The library is a work in progress and we expect to extend it up to Teff = 25 000 K.

The Broadband Infrared Emission Spectrum of the Exoplanet HD 189733b

We present Spitzer Space Telescope time series photometry of the exoplanet system HD 189733 spanning two times of secondary eclipse, when the planet passes out of view behind the parent star. We estimate the relative eclipse depth in five distinct bands and find the planet-to-star flux ratio to be 0.256% ± 0.014% (3.6 μm), 0.214% ± 0.020% (4.5 μm), 0.310% ± 0.034% (5.8 μm), 0.391% ± 0.022% (8.0 μm), and 0.598% ± 0.038% (24 μm). For consistency, we reanalyze a previously published time series to deduce a contrast ratio in an additional band, 0.519% ± 0.020% (16 μm). Our data are strongly inconsistent with a Planck spectrum, and we clearly detect emission near 4 μm as predicted by published theoretical models in which this feature arises from a corresponding opacity window. Unlike recent results for the exoplanet HD 209458b, we find that the emergent spectrum from HD 189733b is best matched by models that do not include an atmospheric temperature inversion. Taken together, these two studies provide initial observational support for the idea that hot Jupiter atmospheres diverge into two classes, in which a thermal inversion layer is present for the more strongly irradiated objects.

Structure and evolution of super-Earth to super-Jupiter exoplanets: I. heavy element enrichment in the interior

Aims. We examine the uncertainties in current planetary models and quantify their impact on the planet cooling histories and massradius relationships. Methods. These uncertainties include (i) the differences between the various equations of state used to characterize the heavy material thermodynamical properties, (ii) the distribution of heavy elements within planetary interiors, (iii) their chemical composition, and (iv) their thermal contribution to the planet evolution. Our models, which include a gaseous H/He envelope, are compared with models of solid, gasless Earth-like planets in order to examine the impact of a gaseous envelope on the cooling and the resulting radius. Results. We find that, for a fraction of heavy material larger than 20% of the planet mass, the distribution of the heavy elements in the planet’s interior substantially affects the evolution and thus the radius at a given age. For planets with large core mass fractions (>50%), such as the Neptune-mass transiting planet GJ 436b, the contribution of the gravitational and thermal energy from the core to the planet cooling history is not negligible, yielding a ∼10% effect on the radius after 1 Gyr. We show that the present mass and radius determinations of the massive planet Hat-P-2b require at least 200 M⊕ of heavy material in the interior, at the edge of what is currently predicted by the core-accretion model for planet formation. As an alternative avenue for massive planet formation, we suggest that this planet, and similarly HD 17156b, may have formed from collisions between one or several other massive planets. This would explain these planets unusually high density and high eccentricity. We show that if planets as massive as ∼25 MJ can form, as predicted by improved core-accretion models, deuterium is able to burn in the H/He layers above the core, even for core masses as high as ∼100 M⊕. Such a result highlights the confusion provided by a definition of a planet based on the deuterium-burning limit. Conclusions. We provide extensive grids of planetary evolution models from 10 M⊕ to 10 MJup, with various fractions of heavy elements. These models provide a reference for analyzing the transit discoveries expected from the CoRoT and Kepler missions and for inferring the internal composition of these objects.

Discovery of a Very Young Field L Dwarf, 2MASS J01415823–4633574

While following up L dwarf candidates selected photometrically from the Two Micron All Sky Survey, we uncovered an unusual object designated 2MASS J01415823-4633574. Its optical spectrum exhibits very strong bands of vanadium oxide but abnormally weak absorptions by titanium oxide, potassium, and sodium. Morphologically, such spectroscopic characteristics fall intermediate between old field early-L dwarfs [log(g) ≈ 5] and very late M giants [log(g) ≈ 0], leading us to favor low gravity as the explanation for the unique spectral signatures of this L dwarf. Such a low gravity can be explained only if this L dwarf is much lower in mass than a typical old field L dwarf of similar temperature and is still contracting to its final radius. These conditions imply a very young age. Further evidence of youth is found in the near-infrared spectrum, including a triangular-shaped H-band continuum, reminiscent of young brown dwarf candidates discovered in the Orion Nebula Cluster. Using the above information along with comparisons to brown dwarf atmospheric and interior models, our current best estimate is that this L dwarf has an age of 1-50 Myr and a mass of 6-25MJ. Although the lack of a lithium detection (pseudo-equivalent width <1 A) might appear to contradict other evidence of youth, we suggest that lithium becomes weaker at lower gravity like all other alkali lines and thus needs to be carefully considered before being used as a diagnostic of age or mass for objects in this regime. The location of 2MASS 0141-4633 on the sky coupled with a distance estimate of ~35 pc and the above age estimate suggests that this object may be a brown dwarf member of either the 30 Myr old Tucana/Horologium association or the ~12 Myr old β Pic moving group. Distance as determined through trigonometric parallax (underway) and a measure of the total space motion are needed to test this hypothesis.

Detection of Carbon Monoxide and Water Absorption Lines in an Exoplanet Atmosphere

High-Resolution Spectrum of an Exoplanet Unlike most of the extrasolar planets we know about, the four planets around the star HR 8799 were detected directly. Konopacky et al. (p. 1398, published online 14 March; see the Perspective by Marley) obtained a high-resolution spectrum of one of the planets that reveals both water and carbon monoxide but not methane in the planets atmosphere. The atmospheric carbon-to-oxygen ratio, which traces the process of planet formation, is greater than that of the host star, providing clues to how the planets formed. A high-resolution spectrum of an exoplanet reveals molecular lines that provide clues about the planet’s formation. [Also see Perspective by Marley] Determining the atmospheric structure and chemical composition of an exoplanet remains a formidable goal. Fortunately, advancements in the study of exoplanets and their atmospheres have come in the form of direct imaging—spatially resolving the planet from its parent star—which enables high-resolution spectroscopy of self-luminous planets in jovian-like orbits. Here, we present a spectrum with numerous, well-resolved molecular lines from both water and carbon monoxide from a massive planet orbiting less than 40 astronomical units from the star HR 8799. These data reveal the planet’s chemical composition, atmospheric structure, and surface gravity, confirming that it is indeed a young planet. The spectral lines suggest an atmospheric carbon-to-oxygen ratio that is greater than that of the host star, providing hints about the planet’s formation.

A SAMPLE OF VERY YOUNG FIELD L DWARFS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR THE BROWN DWARF LITHIUM TEST AT EARLY AGES

Using a large sample of optical spectra of late-type dwarfs, we identify a subset of late-M through L field dwarfs that, because of the presence of low-gravity features in their spectra, are believed to be unusually young. From a combined sample of 303 field L dwarfs, we find observationally that 7.6% ± 1.6% are younger than 100 Myr. This percentage is in agreement with theoretical predictions once observing biases are taken into account. We find that these young L dwarfs tend to fall in the southern hemisphere (decl: < 0°) and may be previously unrecognized, low-mass members of nearby, young associations like Tucana-Horologium, TW Hydrae, β Pictoris, and AB Doradus. We use a homogeneously observed sample of ~150 optical spectra to examine lithium strength as a function of L/T spectral type and further corroborate the trends noted by Kirkpatrick and coworkers. We use our low-gravity spectra to investigate lithium strength as a function of age. The data weakly suggest that for early- to mid-L dwarfs the line strength reaches a maximum for a few x 100 Myr, whereas for much older (few Gyr) and much younger (<100 Myr) L dwarfs the line is weaker or undetectable. We show that a weakening of lithium at lower gravities is predicted by model atmosphere calculations, an effect partially corroborated by existing observational data. Larger samples containing L dwarfs of well-determined ages are needed to further test this empirically. If verified, this result would reinforce the caveat first cited by Kirkpatrick and coworkers that the lithium test should be used with caution when attempting to confirm the substellar nature of the youngest brown dwarfs.