General
The principal objectives of this project are: 1) to study the structure and dynamics of the solar interior, 2) to extend this study to other stars, 3) to search for extrasolar planets using photometric methods (primarily by transits of their host stars) and their characterization (using radial velocity information) and 4) the study of the planetary atmospheres.
To reach our first objective, we use Global Helioseismology (analysis of the solar oscillation eigenmodes) and Local Helioseismology (that uses travel waves). Solar seismology allows to accurately infer information about the internal structure and dynamics of the Sun,. This project covers the various necessary aspects to attain the aforementioned objectives: instrumental, observational, reduction, analysis and interpretation of data and, finally, theoretical developments of inversion techniques and development of structure and evolution models.
On the other hand, the Astroseismology aims to obtain a similar knowledge of other stars. Thanks to the huge number of stars observed by CoRoT, Kepler and TESS space missions it is possible to extract seismic global parameters of hundreds of stars; both solar type and red giants. Furthermore, the recent deployment and beginning of observations with the high precision spectrographs of the SONG (Stellar Observations Network Group) ground-based telescopes will substantially improve the characterization of the eigenmodes spectrum in bright stars.
The strategy of using planetary transits to discover new planets around other stars consists of the photometric detection of the dimming of the light of the star when one of its planets passes, or ‘transits’ in front of it. Currently this method is the preferred one for the study of small planets, not only due to its sensitivity, but also because this method allows a more detailed investigation of the planets found (e.g. Planetary atmospheres). This technique is similar to the one that is used for helio- and asteroseismology and so some of its methods are a logical extension from that. However, it is also important to develop new algorithms and observing methods for the unequivocal detection and analysis of planets and to be able to distinguish them from false alarms.
The current horizon for studies of exoplanets with space missions involves new missions, beginning with the launch of CHEOPS, followed by TESS, JWST and in 2026, PLATO. Thus, there is presently a window of opportunity for ground-based facilities, and we are pursuing observations using mainly TNG, NOT y GTC.
Members
Results
Milestones
- Members of the team (P. G. Beck, H. Deeg, S. Mathur, F. H. Perez, C. Regulo) were involved in the discovery and characterization of a warm Saturn transiting a slightly evolved solar-like star (HD 89345) observed with the NASA K2 mission and confirmed with RV measurements. The seismic analysis of the star led to precise estimates of the stellar parameters.
- P.G.Beck lead two papers on binary systems hosting red-giant binaries, using asteroseismic techniques and data from the Kepler space telescope. Beck et al (2018a,b) allow a better understanding of the stellar structure of the stellar components, and the tidal interaction in binary systems. The internal mixing was investigated through measurements lithium.
- S. Mathur participated in the analysis of the first planet discovered with the NASA TESS mission, orbiting the star Pi Men. The seismic analysis led to a very marginal detection but gave a hint of the asteroseismic potential with the TESS data (Gandolfi et al. 2018).
- Project "Solar-SONG". For the first time, stellar instrumentation (SONG spectrograph) has been used to obtain precise measurements of the radial velocity of the Sun with high temporal cadence (4 sec.) and long duration (57 consecutive days) to allow the detailed study of the spectrum of oscillations ( p-modes) and obtain their global parameters
- The researchers Hans J. Deeg and Juan Antonio Belmonte coordinated the edition of the "Handbook of Exoplanets", four volumes with 160 articles by more than 300 specialists in exoplanetology. Three years of intensive work have resulted in a complete documentation on the state of the art of the studies of the planets beyond the Solar System.
Scientific activity
Related publications
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Asteroseismology of iota Draconis and Discovery of an Additional Long-period Companion
Giant stars as known exoplanet hosts are relatively rare due to the potential challenges in acquiring precision radial velocities and the small predicted transit depths. However, these giant host stars are also some of the brightest in the sky and so enable high signal-to-noise ratio follow-up measurements. Here, we report on new observations of
Hill, Michelle L. et al.Advertised on:
112021 -
On the relation between active-region lifetimes and the autocorrelation function of light curves
Rotational modulation of stellar light curves due to dark spots encloses information on spot properties and, thus, on magnetic activity. In particular, the decay of the autocorrelation function (ACF) of light curves is presumed to be linked to spot/active-region lifetimes, given that some coherence of the signal is expected throughout their
Santos, A. R. G. et al.Advertised on:
112021 -
37 new validated planets in overlapping K2 campaigns
We analysed 68 candidate planetary systems first identified during Campaigns 5 and 6 (C5 and C6) of the NASA K2 mission. We set out to validate these systems by using a suite of follow-up observations, including adaptive optics, speckle imaging, and reconnaissance spectroscopy. The overlap between C5 with C16 and C18, and C6 with C17, yields light
de Leon, J. P. et al.Advertised on:
112021 -
Masses and compositions of three small planets orbiting the nearby M dwarf L231-32 (TOI-270) and the M dwarf radius valley
We report on precise Doppler measurements of L231-32 (TOI-270), a nearby M dwarf (d = 22 pc, M ⋆ = 0.39 M ⊙, R ⋆ = 0.38 R ⊙), which hosts three transiting planets that were recently discovered using data from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). The three planets are 1.2, 2.4, and 2.1 times the size of Earth and have orbital periods of
Van Eylen, V. et al.Advertised on:
102021 -
Brightness Fluctuation Spectra of Sun-like Stars. I. The Mid-frequency Continuum
We analyze space-based time-series photometry of Sun-like stars, mostly in the Pleiades, but also field stars and the Sun itself. We focus on timescales between roughly 1 hr and 1 day. In the corresponding frequency band these stars display brightness fluctuations with a decreasing power-law continuous spectrum. K2 and Kepler observations show that
Brown, Timothy M. et al.Advertised on:
82021 -
A calibration of the Rossby number from asteroseismology
Stellar activity and rotation are tightly related in a dynamo process. Our understanding of this mechanism is mainly limited by our capability of inferring the properties of stellar turbulent convection. In particular, the convective turnover time is a key ingredient through the estimation of the stellar Rossby number, which is the ratio of the
Corsaro, E. et al.Advertised on:
82021 -
Surface Rotation and Photometric Activity for Kepler Targets. II. G and F Main-sequence Stars and Cool Subgiant Stars
Dark magnetic spots crossing the stellar disk lead to quasiperiodic brightness variations, which allow us to constrain stellar surface rotation and photometric activity. The current work is the second of this series, where we analyze the Kepler long-cadence data of 132,921 main-sequence F and G stars and late subgiant stars. Rotation-period
Santos, A. R. G. et al.Advertised on:
72021 -
TOI-220 b: a warm sub-Neptune discovered by TESS
In this paper, we report the discovery of TOI-220 b, a new sub-Neptune detected by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) and confirmed by radial velocity follow-up observations with the HARPS spectrograph. Based on the combined analysis of TESS transit photometry and high precision radial velocity measurements, we estimate a planetary
Hoyer, S. et al.Advertised on:
82021 -
Hot planets around cool stars - two short-period mini-Neptunes transiting the late K-dwarf TOI-1260
We present the discovery and characterization of two sub-Neptunes in close orbits, as well as a tentative outer planet of a similar size, orbiting TOI-1260 - a low metallicity K6 V dwarf star. Photometry from Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite(TESS) yields radii of R b = 2.33 ± 0.10 and R c = 2.82 ± 0.15 R ⊕, and periods of 3.13 and 7.49 d for
Georgieva, I. Y. et al.Advertised on:
82021 -
Magnetic signatures on mixed-mode frequencies. I. An axisymmetric fossil field inside the core of red giants
Context. The discovery of moderate differential rotation between the core and the envelope of evolved solar-like stars could be the signature of a strong magnetic field trapped inside the radiative interior. The population of intermediate-mass red giants presenting surprisingly low-amplitude mixed modes (i.e. oscillation modes that behave as
Bugnet, L. et al.Advertised on:
62021 -
Weighing stars from birth to death: mass determination methods across the HRD
The mass of a star is the most fundamental parameter for its structure, evolution, and final fate. It is particularly important for any kind of stellar archaeology and characterization of exoplanets. There exist a variety of methods in astronomy to estimate or determine it. In this review we present a significant number of such methods, beginning
Serenelli, Aldo et al.Advertised on:
122021 -
A transmission spectrum of the planet candidate WD 1856+534 b and a lower limit to its mass
The cool white dwarf WD 1856+534 was found to be transited by a Jupiter-sized object with a mass at or below 14 M Jup. We used the GTC telescope to obtain and analyse the photometry and low-resolution spectroscopy of six transits of WD 1856+534 b, with the intention of deriving the slope of the transmission spectrum. Such a slope, assuming a cloud
Alonso, R. et al.Advertised on:
52021 -
Spectroscopic and seismic analysis of red giants in eclipsing binaries discovered by Kepler
Eclipsing binaries (EBs) are unique targets for measuring accurate stellar properties and constraining stellar evolution models. In particular, it is possible to measure masses and radii at the few percent level for both components of a double-lined spectroscopic EB (SB2-EB). On the one hand, detached EBs hosting at least one star with detectable
Benbakoura, M. et al.Advertised on:
42021 -
ROOSTER: a machine-learning analysis tool for Kepler stellar rotation periods
In order to understand stellar evolution, it is crucial to efficiently determine stellar surface rotation periods. Indeed, while they are of great importance in stellar models, angular momentum transport processes inside stars are still poorly understood today. Surface rotation, which is linked to the age of the star, is one of the constraints
Breton, S. N. et al.Advertised on:
32021 -
Precise radial velocities of giant stars. XV. Mysterious nearly periodic radial velocity variations in the eccentric binary ε Cygni
Context. Using the Hamilton Échelle Spectrograph at Lick Observatory, we have obtained precise radial velocities (RVs) of a sample of 373 G- and K-giant stars over more than 12 yr, leading to the discovery of several single and multiple planetary systems. The RVs of the long-period (~53 yr) spectroscopic binary ε Cyg (HIP 102488) are found to
Heeren, Paul et al.Advertised on:
32021 -
Probing the internal magnetism of stars using asymptotic magneto-asteroseismology
Context. Our knowledge of the dynamics of stars has undergone a revolution through the simultaneous large amount of high-quality photometric observations collected by space-based asteroseismology and ground-based high-precision spectropolarimetry. They allowed us to probe the internal rotation of stars and their surface magnetism in the whole
Mathis, S. et al.Advertised on:
32021 -
TOI-257b (HD 19916b): a warm sub-saturn orbiting an evolved F-type star
We report the discovery of a warm sub-Saturn, TOI-257b (HD 19916b), based on data from NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). The transit signal was detected by TESS and confirmed to be of planetary origin based on radial velocity observations. An analysis of the TESS photometry, the MINERVA-Australis, FEROS, and HARPS radial
Addison, Brett C. et al.Advertised on:
42021 -
Observing the changing surface structures of the active K giant σ Geminorum with SONG
Aims: We aim to study the spot evolution and differential rotation in the magnetically active cool K-type giant star σ Gem from broadband photometry and continuous spectroscopic observations that span 150 nights. Methods: We use high-resolution, high signal-to-noise ratio spectra obtained with the Hertzsprung SONG telescope to reconstruct surface
Korhonen, H. et al.Advertised on:
22021 -
Search for flares and associated CMEs on late-type main-sequence stars in optical SDSS spectra
Aims: This work aims to detect and classify stellar flares and potential stellar coronal mass ejection (CME) signatures in optical spectra provided by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) data release 14. The sample is constrained to all F, G, K, and M main-sequence type stars, resulting in more than 630 000 stars. This work makes use of the
Koller, Florian et al.Advertised on:
22021 -
Prospects for Galactic and stellar astrophysics with asteroseismology of giant stars in the TESS continuous viewing zones and beyond
The NASA Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (NASA-TESS) mission presents a treasure trove for understanding the stars it observes and the Milky Way, in which they reside. We present a first look at the prospects for Galactic and stellar astrophysics by performing initial asteroseismic analyses of bright (G < 11) red giant stars in the TESS
Mackereth, J. Ted et al.Advertised on:
42021
