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Recent observations of giant planets have revealed unexpected bulk densities. Hot Jupiters, in particular, appear larger than expected for their masses compared to planetary evolution models, while warm Jupiters seem denser than expected. These differences are often attributed to the influence of the stellar incident flux, but it has been unclear if they also result from different planet formation processes, and if there is a trend linking the planetary density to the chemical composition of the host star. In this work, we present the confirmation of three giant planets in orbit around solar analogue stars. TOI-2714 b (P ≃ 2.5 d, Rp ≃ 1.22 RJ, Mp = 0.72 MJ) and TOI-2981 b (P ≃ 3.6 d, RP ≃ 1.2 RJ, MP = 2 MJ) are hot Jupiters on nearly circular orbits, while TOI-4914 b (P ≃ 10.6 d, RP ≃ 1.15 RJ, Mp = 0.72 MJ) is a warm Jupiter with a significant eccentricity (e = 0.41 ± 0.02) that orbits a star more metal-poor ([Fe/H] = −0.13) than most of the stars known to host giant planets. Similarly, TOI-2981 b orbits a metal-poor star ([Fe/H] = −0.11), while TOI-2714 b orbits a metal-rich star ([Fe/H] = 0.30). Our radial velocity follow-up with the HARPS spectrograph allows us to detect their Keplerian signals at high significance (7, 30, and 23σ, respectively) and to place a strong constraint on the eccentricity of TOI-4914 b (18σ). TOI-4914 b, with its large radius (Rp ≃ 1.15 RJ) and low insolation flux (F⋆ < 2 × 108 erg s−1 cm−2), appears to be more inflated than what is supported by current theoretical models for giant planets. Moreover, it does not conform to the previously noted trend that warm giant planets orbiting metal-poor stars have low eccentricities. This study thus provides insights into the diverse orbital characteristics and formation processes of giant exoplanets, in particular the role of stellar metallicity in the evolution of planetary systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a study of the white dwarf (WD) cooling sequence (CS) in the globular cluster (GC) Omega Centauri (or NGC 5139; hereafter, ω Cen), the primary goal of a dedicated Hubble Space Telescope (HST) programme. We find that the peak at the termination of the WD CS is located at mF606W = 30.1 ± 0.2 (equivalent to V ∼ 31). The brighter part of ω Cen's WD CS is consistent with the presence of massive He-core WDs, in agreement with previous HST analyses with ultraviolet and blue filters. Comparative analyses of the WD luminosity function (LF) and theoretical counterparts show that a single-age population for the cluster is compatible with the data. However, an analysis of only the WD LF cannot entirely exclude the possibility of an age range, due to uncertainties in the present-day WD mass function, with a star formation history potentially spanning up to 5 billion years, predominantly comprising stars about 13 Gyr old, with a minority potentially as young as 8 Gyr. This underscores the need for global spectroscopic and photometric investigations that simultaneously include both the WD populations and the previous evolutionary phases, in order to fully understand the cluster's diverse chemical compositions and ages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. NGC 6558 is a low-galactic-latitude globular cluster projected in the direction of the Galactic bulge. Due to high reddening, this region presents challenges in deriving accurate parameters, which require meticulous photometric analysis. We present a combined analysis of near-infrared and optical photometry from multi-epoch high-resolution images collected with Gemini-South/GSAOI+GeMS (in the J and KS filters) and HST/ACS (in the F606W and F814W filters). Aims. We aim to refine the fundamental parameters of NGC 6558, utilising high-quality Gemini-South/GSAOI and HST/ACS photometries. Additionally, we intend to investigate its role in the formation of the Galactic bulge. Methods. We performed a meticulous differential reddening correction to investigate the effect of contamination from Galactic bulge field stars. To derive the fundamental parameters – age, distance, reddening, and the total-to-selective coefficient – we employed a Bayesian isochrone fitting. The results from high-resolution spectroscopy and RR Lyrae stars were implemented as priors. For the orbital parameters, we employed a barred Galactic mass model. Furthermore, we analysed the age-metallicity relation to contextualise NGC 6558 within the Galactic bulge's history. Results. We studied the impact of two differential reddening corrections on the age derivation. When removing as much as possible of the Galactic bulge field star contamination, the isochrone fitting combined with synthetic colour-magnitude diagrams gives a distance of 8.41−0.10+0.11 kpc, an age of 13.0 ± 0.9 Gyr, and a reddening of E(B − V) = 0.34 ± 0.02. We derived a total-to-selective coefficient of RV = 3.2 ± 0.2 thanks to the simultaneous near-infrared–optical synthetic colour-magnitude diagram fitting, which, aside from errors, agrees with the commonly used value. The orbital parameters showed that NGC 6558 is confined within the inner Galaxy and it is not compatible with a bar-shape orbit, indicating that it is a bulge member. Assembling the old and moderately metal-poor ([Fe/H] ∼ −1.1) clusters in the Galactic bulge, we derived their age-metallicity relation with star formation starting at 13.6 ± 0.2 Gyr and effective yields of ρ = 0.05 ± 0.01 Z⊙. Conclusions. The old age derived for NGC 6558 is compatible with other clusters with similar metallicity and a blue horizontal branch in the Galactic bulge, which constitute the moderately metal-poor globular clusters. The age-metallicity relation shows that the starting age of star formation is compatible with the age of NGC 6558, and the chemical enrichment is ten times faster than the ex situ globular cluster branch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. The study of exoplanets at different evolutionary stages can shed light on their formation, migration, and evolution. The determination of exoplanet properties depends on the properties of their host stars. It is therefore important to characterise the host stars for accurate knowledge on their planets. Aims. Our final goal is to derive, in a homogeneous and accurate way, the stellar atmospheric parameters and elemental abundances of ten young TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) transiting planet-hosting GK stars followed up with the HARPS-N (High Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher for the Northern hemisphere) at TNG (Telescopio Nazionale Galileo) spectrograph within the Global Architecture of Planetary Systems (GAPS) programme. Methods. We derived stellar kinematic properties, atmospheric parameters, and abundances of 18 elements. Depending on stellar parameters and chemical elements, we used methods based on line equivalent widths and spectral synthesis. Lithium line measurements were used as approximate age estimations. We exploited chemical abundances and their ratios to derive information on planetary composition. Results. Elemental abundances and kinematic properties are consistent with the nearby Galactic thin disk. All targets show C/O<0.8 and 1.0

Context. The long-term Global Architecture of Planetary Systems (GAPS) programme has been characterising a sample of young systems with transiting planets via spectroscopic and photometric follow-up observations. One of the main goals of GAPS is measuring planets' dynamical masses and bulk densities to help build a picture of how planets evolve in the early stages of their formation via a comparison between the fundamental physical properties of young and mature exoplanets. Aims. We collected more than 300 high-resolution spectra of the ∼300 Myr old star BD+40 2790 (TOI-2076) over about three years. This star hosts three transiting planets discovered by TESS, with orbital periods of ∼10, 21, and 35 days. From our determined fundamental planetary physical properties, we investigate the temporal evolution of the planetary atmospheres by calculating the expected mass loss rate due to photo-evaporation up to a system age of 5 Gyr. Methods. BD+40 2790 shows an activity-induced scatter larger than 30 m s−1 in the radial velocities. We employed different methods to measure the stellar radial velocities, along with several models to filter out the dominant stellar activity signal to bring to light the planet-induced signals, which are expected to have semi-amplitudes that are lower by one order of magnitude. We evaluated the mass loss rate of the planetary atmospheres using photo-ionisation hydrodynamic modeling, accounting for the temporal evolution of the stellar high-energy flux through the adoption of different models for X-rays and EUV irradiation. Results. The dynamical analysis confirms that the three sub-Neptune-sized companions (with our radius measurements of Rb = 2.54±0.04, Rc = 3.35±0.05, and Rd = 3.29±0.06 R⊕) have masses that situate them in the planetary regime. We derived 3σ upper limits below or close to the mass of Neptune for all the planets in our sample: 11–12, 12–13.5, and 14–19 M⊕for planets b, c, and d, respectively. In the case of planet d, we found promising clues that the mass could be between ∼7 and 8 M⊕, with a significance level between 2.3–2.5σ (at best). This result must be further investigated using other analysis methods and techniques or using high-precision near-infrared (nIR) spectrographs to collect new radial velocities, which could be less affected by stellar activity. Atmospheric photoevaporation simulations predict that BD+40 2790 b is currently losing its H-He gaseous envelope and that it will be completely lost at an age within 0.5–3 Gyr if its current mass is lower than 12M⊕. Furthermore, BD+40 2790 c could have a lower bulk density than b and might be able to retain its atmosphere up to an age of 5 Gyr. For the outermost object, planet d, we predicted an almost negligible evolution of its mass and radius, induced by photo-evaporation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. HR 10 has only recently been identified as a binary system. Previously thought to be an A-type shell star, it appears that both components are fast-rotating A-type stars, each presenting a circumstellar envelope. Although showing complex photometric variability, spectroscopic observations of the metallic absorption lines reveal variation explained by the binarity, but not indicative of debris-disc inhomogeneities or sublimating exocomets. On the other hand, the properties of the two stars make them potential δ Scuti pulsators. Aims. The system has been observed in two sectors by the TESS satellite, and was the target of three observing visits by CHEOPS. Thanks to these new data, we aim to further characterise the stellar properties of the two components. In particular, we aim to decipher the extent to which the photometric variability can be attributed to a stellar origin. In complement, we searched in the lightcurves for transient-type events that could reveal debris discs or exocomets. Methods. We analysed the photometric variability of both the TESS and CHEOPS datasets in detail. We first performed a frequency analysis to identify and list all the periodic signals that may be related to stellar oscillations or surface variability. The signals identified as resulting from the stellar variability were then removed from the lightcurves in order to search for transient events in the residuals. Results. We report the detection of δ Scuti pulsations in both the TESS and CHEOPS data, but we cannot definitively identify which of the components is the pulsating star. In both datasets, we find flicker noise with the characteristics of a stellar granulation signal. However, it remains difficult to firmly attribute it to actual stellar granulation from convection, given the very thin surface convective zones predicted for both stars. Finally, we report probable detection of transient events in the CHEOPS data, without clear evidence of their origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. HAT-P-67 b is one of the lowest-density gas giants known to date, making it an excellent target for atmospheric characterisation through the transmission spectroscopy technique. Aims. In the framework of the GAPS large programme, we collected four transit events of HAT-P-67 b with the aim of studying the exoplanet atmosphere and deriving the orbital projected obliquity. Methods. We exploited the high-precision GIARPS (GIANO-B + HARPS-N) observing mode of the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo (TNG) along with additional archival TESS photometry to explore the activity level of the host star. We performed transmission spec-troscopy, both in the visible (VIS) and in the near-infrared (NIR) wavelength range, and we analysed the Rossiter–McLaughlin (RML) effect when fitting both the radial velocities and the Doppler shadow. Based on the TESS photometry, we redetermined the transit parameters of HAT-P-67 b. Results. By modelling the RML effect, we derived a sky-projected obliquity of (2.2 ± 0.4)°, indicating an aligned planetary orbit. The chromospheric activity index log R′HK, the CCF profile, and the variability in the transmission spectrum of the Hα line suggest that the host star shows signatures of stellar activity and/or pulsation. We found no evidence of atomic or molecular species in the optical transmission spectra, with the exception of pseudo-signals corresponding to Cr I, Fe I, Ha, Na I, and Ti I. In the NIR range, we found an absorption signal of the He I triplet of 5.56−0.30+0.29% (19.0σ), corresponding to an effective planetary radius of ~3 Rp (where Rp ~ 2 RJ), which extends beyond the planet's Roche lobe radius. Conclusions. Owing to the stellar variability and the high uncertainty of the model, we could not confirm the planetary origin of the signals found in the optical transmission spectrum. On the other hand, we were able to confirm previous detections of the infrared He I triplet, providing a 19.0σ detection. Our finding indicates that the planet's atmosphere is evaporating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Different theories have been developed to explain the origins and properties of close-in giant planets, but none of them alone can explain all of the properties of the warm Jupiters (WJs, Porb = 10–200 days). One of the most intriguing characteristics of WJs is that they have a wide range of orbital eccentricities, challenging our understanding of their formation and evolution. Aims. The investigation of these systems is crucial in order to put constraints on formation and evolution theories. TESS is providing a significant sample of transiting WJs around stars bright enough to allow spectroscopic follow-up studies. Methods. We carried out a radial velocity (RV) follow-up study of the TESS candidate TOI-4515 b with the high-resolution spectrograph HARPS-N in the context of the GAPS project, the aim of which is to characterize young giant planets, and the TRES and FEROS spectrographs. We then performed a joint analysis of the HARPS-N, TRES, FEROS, and TESS data in order to fully characterize this planetary system. Results. We find that TOI-4515 b orbits a 1.2 Gyr-old G-star, has an orbital period of Pb = 15.266446 ± 0.000013 days, a mass of Mb = 2.01 ± 0.05 MJ, and a radius of Rb = 1.09 ± 0.04 RJ. We also find an eccentricity of e = 0.46 ± 0.01, placing this planet among the WJs with highly eccentric orbits. As no additional companion has been detected, this high eccentricity might be the consequence of past violent scattering events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Short-period giant planets (P ≲ 10 days, Mp >0.1 MJ) are frequently found to be solitary compared to other classes of exo-planets. Small inner companions to giant planets with P ≲ 15 days are known only in five compact systems: WASP-47, Kepler-730, WASP-132, TOI-1130, and TOI-2000. Here, we report the confirmation of TOI-5398, the youngest known compact multi-planet system composed of a hot sub-Neptune (TOI-5398 c, Pc = 4.77271 days) orbiting interior to a short-period Saturn (TOI-5398 b, Pb = 10.590547 days) planet, both transiting around a 650 ± 150 Myr G-type star. Aims. As part of the Global Architecture of Planetary Systems (GAPS) Young Object project, we confirmed and characterised this compact system, measuring the radius and mass of both planets, thus constraining their bulk composition. Methods. Using multi-dimensional Gaussian processes, we simultaneously modelled stellar activity and planetary signals from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) Sector 48 light curve and our High Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher (HARPS-N) radial velocity (RV) time series. We confirmed the planetary nature of both planets, TOI-5398 b and TOI-5398 c, and obtained a precise estimation of their stellar parameters. Results. Through the use of astrometric, photometric, and spectroscopic observations, our findings indicate that TOI-5398 is a young, active G dwarf star (650 ± 150 Myr) with a rotational period of Prot = 7.34 days. The transit photometry and RV measurements enabled us to measure both the radius and mass of planets b, Rb = 10.30 ± 0.40 R⊕, Mb = 58.7 ± 5.7 M⊕, and c, Rc = 3.52 ± 0.19 R⊕, Mc = 11.8 ± 4.8 M⊕. TESS observed TOI-5398 during sector 48 and no further observations are planned in the current Extended Mission, making our ground-based light curves crucial for improvement of the ephemeris. With a transmission spectroscopy metric (TSM) value of around 300, TOI-5398 b is the most amenable warm giant (10 < P < 100 days) for JWST atmospheric characterisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Stellar activity is the most relevant types of astrophysical noise that affect the discovery and characterization of extrasolar planets. On the other hand, the amplitude of stellar activity could hint at an interaction between the star and a close-in giant planet. Progress has been made in recent years in understanding how to deal with stellar activity and search for observational evidence of star-planet interactions. Aims. The aim of this work is to characterize the chromospheric activity of stars hosting short-period exoplanets by studying the correlations between the chromospheric emission (CE) in the Ca II H&K and the planetary parameters. Methods. We measured CE in the Ca II H&K lines using more than 1900 high-resolution spectra of a sample composed of 76 targets, observed with the HARPS-N spectrograph between 2012 and 2020. We transformed the fluxes into bolometric- and photospheric-corrected chromospheric emission ratios, R′HK. Furthermore, we completed the sample of hosts digging for data in previous works. Stellar parameters Teff, B–V, and V were retrieved homogeneously from the Gaia DR3. Then, M★, R★, and ages were determined from isochrone fitting. We retrieved planetary data from the literature and catalogs. The search for correlations between the log(R′HK) and planetary parameters have been performed through both Spearman's rank and its statistics as well as the more sophisticated Gaussian mixture model method. Results. We found that the distribution of log(R′HK) for the transiting planet hosts is different from the distribution of field main-sequence and sub-giant stars. The log(R′HK) of planetary hosts is correlated with planetary parameters proportional to the planetary radius to the power of n (RPn, indicating a common origin for the correlations. The statistical analysis has also highlighted four clusters of host stars with different behavior in terms of their stellar activity with respect to the planetary surface gravity. Some of the host stars have a value of log(R′HK) that is lower than the basal level of activity for main sequence stars. The planets of these systems are very close to filling their Roche lobe, suggesting that they evaporate through hydrodynamic escape under the strong irradiation of the host star, creating shrouds that absorb the core of the chromospheric resonance lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nearby mid-K dwarf HIP 66074 was recently identified as host to a candidate super-Jupiter companion on a ∼300 day, almost edge-on, orbit, based on Gaia Data Release 3 (DR3) astrometry. Initial attempts at confirming the planetary nature of the signal based on publicly available radial-velocity (RV) observations uncovered an intriguing conundrum: the inferred RV semi-amplitude appears to be a factor of 15 smaller than the one predicted based on the Gaia solution (corresponding to a 7-MJup companion on a close to edge-on orbit). We present the results of intensive RV monitoring of HIP 66074 with the HARPS-N spectrograph. We detected the companion at the Gaia period, but with an extremely eccentric orbit (e = 0.948 ± 0.004), a semi-amplitude K = 93.9−7.0+9.4 m s−1, and a minimum mass mb sin ib = 0.79 ± 0.05 MJup. We used detailed simulations of Gaia astrometry with the DR3 time-span to show that the conundrum can be fully resolved by taking into account the combination of the initially sub-optimal RV sampling and systematic biases in the Gaia astrometric solution, which include an underestimation of the eccentricity and incorrect identification of orbital inclination, which has turned out to correspond to a close to face-on configuration (i ≲ 13°). With an estimated mass in the approximate range of 3 − 7 MJup, we find that HIP 66074b (≡Gaia-3b) is the first exoplanet candidate astrometrically detected by Gaia to be successfully confirmed based on RV follow-up observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. With the growth of comparative exoplanetology, it is increasingly clear that the relationship between inner and outer planets plays a key role in unveiling the mechanisms governing formation and evolution models. For this reason, it is important to probe the inner region of systems hosting long-period giants in search of undetected lower mass planetary companions. Aims. We aim to present the results of a high-cadence and high-precision radial velocity (RV) monitoring of three late-type dwarf stars hosting long-period giants with well-measured orbits in order to search for short-period sub-Neptunes (SN, M sin i < 30 M⊕). Methods. Building on the results and expertise of our previous studies, we carried out combined fits of our HARPS-N data with literature RVs. We used Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) analyses to refine the literature orbital solutions and search for additional inner planets, applying Gaussian process regression techniques to deal with the stellar activity signals where required. We then used the results of our survey to estimate the frequency of sub-Neptunes in systems hosting cold Jupiters, f(SN|CJ), and compared it with the frequency around field M dwarfs, f(SN). Results. We identify a new short-period, low-mass planet orbiting GJ 328, GJ 328 c, with Pc = 241.8-1.7+1.3 days and Mc sin i = 21.4-3.2+3.4M⊕. We moreover identify and model the chromospheric activity signals and rotation periods of GJ 649 and GJ 849, around which no additional planet is found. Then, taking into account also planetary system around the previously analysed low-mass star BD-11 4672, we derive an estimate of the frequencies of inner planets in such systems. In particular, f(SN|CJ) = 0.25-0.07+0.58 for mini-Neptunes (10 M⊕ < M sin i < 30 M⊕, P < 150 d), marginally larger than f(SN). For lower mass planets (M sin i < 10 M⊕) instead f(SN|CJ) < 0.69, which is compatible with f(SN). Conclusions. In light of the newly detected mini-Neptune, we find tentative evidence of a positive correlation between the presence of long-period giant planets and that of inner low-mass planets, f(SN|CJ) > f(SN). This might indicate that cold Jupiters have an opposite influence in the formation of inner sub-Neptunes around late-type dwarfs as opposed to their solar-type counterparts, boosting the formation of mini-Neptunes instead of impeding it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We characterize twelve young stellar objects (YSOs) located in the Lupus I region, spatially overlapping with the Upper Centaurus Lupus (UCL) sub-stellar association. The aim of this study is to understand whether the Lupus I cloud has more members than what has been claimed so far in the literature and gain a deeper insight into the global properties of the region. We selected our targets using the Gaia DR2 catalog based on their consistent kinematic properties with the Lupus I bona fide members. In our sample of twelve YSOs observed by X-shooter, we identified ten Lupus I members. We could not determine the membership status of two of our targets, namely Gaia DR2 6014269268967059840 and 2MASS J15361110-3444473 due to technical issues. We found out that four of our targets are accretors, among them, 2MASS J15551027-3455045, with a mass of ∼0.03 M⊙, is one of the least massive accretors in the Lupus complex identified to date. Several of our targets (including accretors) are formed in situ and off-cloud with respect to the main filaments of Lupus I; hence, our study may hint that there are diffused populations of M dwarfs around Lupus I main filaments. In this context, we would like to emphasize that our kinematic analysis with Gaia catalogs played a key role in identifying the new members of the Lupus I cloud. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Detecting and characterising exoworlds around very young stars (age ≤10 Myr) are key aspects of exoplanet demographic studies, especially for understanding the mechanisms and timescales of planet formation and migration. Any reliable theory for such physical phenomena requires a robust observational database to be tested. However, detection using the radial velocity method alone can be very challenging because the amplitude of the signals caused by the magnetic activity of such stars can be orders of magnitude larger than those induced even by massive planets. Aims. We observed the very young (~2 Myr) and very active star V830 Tau with the HARPS-N spectrograph between October 2017 and March 2020 to independently confirm and characterise the previously reported hot Jupiter V830 Tau b (Kb = 68 ± 11 m s−1; mb sin ib = 0.57 ± 0.10 MJup; Pb = 4.927 ± 0.008 d). Methods. Because of the observed ~1 km s−1 radial velocity scatter that can clearly be attributed to the magnetic activity of V830 Tau, we analysed radial velocities extracted with different pipelines and modelled them using several state-of-the-art tools. We devised injection-recovery simulations to support our results and characterise our detection limits. The analysis of the radial velocities was aided by a characterisation of the stellar activity using simultaneous photometric and spectroscopic diagnostics. Results. Despite the high quality of our HARPS-N data and the diversity of tests we performed, we were unable to detect the planet V830 Tau b in our data and cannot confirm its existence. Our simulations show that a statistically significant detection of the claimed planetary Doppler signal is very challenging. Conclusions. It is important to continue Doppler searches for planets around young stars, but utmost care must be taken in the attempt to overcome the technical difficulties to be faced in order to achieve their detection and characterisation. This point must be kept in mind when assessing their occurrence rate, formation mechanisms, and migration pathways, especially without evidence of their existence from photometric transits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discovery of multiple stellar populations (multiple in the sense of inhomogeneous chemical abundances, with specific patterns of variations of a few light elements) in Galactic globular clusters and massive intermediate-age and old clusters in the Magellanic Clouds, both through spectroscopy and photometry, has led to a major change in our views about the formation of these objects. To date, none of the proposed scenarios are able to quantitatively explain all the chemical patterns observed in individual clusters. An extension of the study of multiple populations to resolved extragalactic massive clusters beyond the Magellanic Clouds would therefore be welcome, as it would enable the investigation and characterisation of the presence of multiple populations in different environments and age ranges. To this purpose, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) can potentially play a major role. On the one hand, the JWST promises direct observations of proto-globular cluster candidates at high redshift, and on the other hand, it can potentially push the sample of resolved clusters with detected multiple populations to larger distances. In this paper we address this second goal. Using theoretical stellar spectra and stellar evolution models, we investigated the effect of multiple population chemical patterns on synthetic magnitudes in the JWST infrared NIRCam filters. We identified the colours (F150W − F460M), (F115W − F460M) and pseudocolours CF150W, F460M, F115W = (F150W − F460M)−(F460M − F115W), CF150W, F277W, F115W = (F150W − F277W)−(F277W − F115W), as diagnostics able to reveal the presence of multiple populations along the red giant branches of old and intermediate-age clusters. Using the available online simulator for the NIRCam detector, we estimated that multiple populations can be potentially detected – depending on the exposure times, exact filter combination used, and extent of the abundance variations and the cluster [Fe/H] – out to a distance of ∼5 Mpc (approximately the distance to the M83 group). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. The object ESO 456-SC38 (Djorgovski 2) is one of the globular clusters that is closest to the Galactic center. It is on the blue horizontal branch and has a moderate metallicity of [Fe/H] ∼ −1.0. It is thus similar to the very old inner bulge globular clusters NGC 6522, NGC 6558, and HP 1, and therefore appears to be part of the primeval formation stages of the Milky Way. Aims. The aim of this work is to determine an accurate distance and metallicity for ESO 456-SC38, as well as orbital parameters, in order to check similarities with other clusters in the inner bulge that have previously been well studied in terms of spectroscopy and photometry. This is a considerably fainter cluster that is contaminated by a rich stellar field; it is also quite absorbed by the dusty foreground. Methods. We analyzed ESO 456-SC38 based on HST photometry, with the filters F606W from ACS, F110W and F160W from WFC3, and photometry in V and I from FORS2 at the VLT. We combined this with identified stars that are covered by Gaia Data Release 2. Results. The isochrone fitting was carried out with the statistical Markov chain Monte Carlo method. We derive an accurate distance of d⊙ = 8.75 ± 0.12 kpc and a reddening of E(B−V) = 0.81+0.02−0.02 E (B − V) = 0. 81 − 0.02 + 0.02 $ E(B-V)=0.81^{+0.02}_{-0.02} $. The best-fitting BaSTI isochrones correspond to an age of 12.70+0.72−0.69 12. 70 − 0.69 + 0.72 $ 12.70^{+0.72}_{-0.69} $ Gyr and a metallicity of [Fe/H] = −1.11+0.03−0.03 [ Fe / H ] = − 1. 11 − 0.03 + 0.03 $ \mathrm{[Fe/H]}=-1.11^{+0.03}_{-0.03} $. Conclusions. ESO 456-SC38 adds to the list of moderately metal-poor globular clusters located in the inner bulge. It has a blue horizontal branch and is very old. The cluster is confined to the bulge and bar region, but it does not support the Galactic bar structure. The old stellar population represented by clusters like this has to be taken into account in models of Galactic bulge formation. Studying them also provides indications on the formation times of the globular clusters themselves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. The low-latitude globular clusters Terzan 10 and Djorgovski 1 are projected in the Galactic bulge, in a Galactic region highly affected by extinction. A discrepancy of a factor of ∼2 exists in the literature in regards to the distance determination of these clusters. Aims. We revisit the colour-magnitude diagrams (CMDs) of these two globular clusters with the purpose of disentangling their distance determination ambiguity and, for the first time, of determining their orbits to identify whether or not they are part of the bulge/bar region. Methods. We use Hubble Space Telescope CMDs, with the filters F606W from ACS and F160W from WFC3 for Terzan 10, and F606W and F814W from ACS for Djorgosvski 1, and combine them with the proper motions from Gaia Data Release 2. For the orbit integrations, we employed a steady Galactic model with bar. Results. For the first time the blue horizontal branch of these clusters is clearly resolved. We obtain reliable distances of d⊙ = 10.3 ± 1.0 kpc and 9.3 ± 0.5 kpc for Terzan 10, and Djorgovski 1 respectively, indicating that they are both currently located in the bulge volume. From Gaia DR2 proper motions, together with our new distance determination and recent literature radial velocities, we are able to show that the two sample clusters have typical halo orbits that are passing by the bulge/bar region, but that they are not part of this component. For the first time, halo intruders are identified in the bulge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. We present the photometric analysis of the external regions of three Galactic globular clusters: NGC 6121, NGC 6397, and NGC 6752. The main goal is the characterization of multiple stellar populations along the main sequence (MS) and the study of the radial trend of different populations hosted by the target clusters. Methods. The data have been collected using the FOcal Reducer and low dispersion Spectrograph 2 (FORS2) mounted at the Very Large Telescope (VLT) UT1 of the European Southern Observatory (ESO) in UBVI filters. From these data sets we extracted high-accuracy photometry and constructed color-magnitude diagrams (CMDs). We exploit appropriate combinations of colors and magnitudes, which are powerful tools for identifying multiple stellar populations, such as B versus U - B and V versus cU,B,I = (U - B) - (B - I) CMDs. Results. We confirm previous findings of a split MS in NGC 6752 and NGC 6121. Apart from the extreme case of ωCentauri, this is the first detection of multiple MS from ground-based photometry. For NGC 6752 and NGC 6121, we compare the number ratio of the blue MS to the red MS in the cluster outskirts with the fraction of first and second generation stars measured in the central regions. There is no evidence for significant radial trend. The MS of NGC 6397 is consistent with a simple stellar population. We propose that the lack of multiple sequences is due both to observational errors and to the limited sensitivity of U, B,V, I photometry to multiple stellar populations in metal-poor GCs. Finally, we compute the helium abundance for the stellar populations hosted by NGC 6121 and NGC 6752, finding a mild (ΔY ~ 0.02) difference between stars in the two sequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]