Search

NGC 5139 (⁠|$\omega$| Cen) is the closest candidate of a nuclear star cluster that has been stripped of its host galaxy in the Milky Way. Despite extensive studies through the last decades, many open questions about the cluster remain, including the properties of the binary population. In this study, we use MUSE multi-epoch spectroscopy to identify binary systems in |$\omega$| Cen. The observations span 8 yr, with a total of 312 248 radial velocity measurements for 37 225 stars. Following the removal of known photometric variables, we identify 275 stars that show RV variations, corresponding to a discovery fraction of |$1.4\pm 0.1~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$|⁠. Using dedicated simulations, we find that our data are sensitive to |$70 \pm 10~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$| of the binaries expected in the sample, resulting in a completeness-corrected binary fraction of |$2.1\pm 0.4~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$| in the central region of |$\omega$| Cen. We find similar binary fractions for all stellar evolutionary stages covered by our data, the only notable exception being the blue straggler stars, which show an enhanced binary fraction. We also find no distinct correlation with distance from the cluster centre, indicating a limited amount of mass segregation within the half-light radius of |$\omega$| Cen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

GD1400AB was one of the first known white dwarf |$+$| brown dwarf binaries and is the only one of these systems where the white dwarf is a ZZ Ceti pulsator. Here, we present both radial velocity measurements and time-series photometry, analysing both the white dwarf pulsations and the effects of irradiation on the brown dwarf. We find that the brightness temperatures of 1760 |$\pm $| 10 K for the nightside and 1860 |$\pm$| 10 K for the dayside indicate that the brown dwarf is hotter than spectra have previously suggested, although brightness temperatures calculated using a larger radius for the brown dwarf are consistent with previously determined spectral types. We also discuss the likely evolutionary pathway of this binary and put its common envelope phase into context with the other known systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report two binary systems, LAMOST J035540 + 381550 (hereafter J035540) and LAMOST J035916 + 400732 (hereafter J035916), identified through the Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST) low-resolution survey (LRS). Each of these two systems contains an M-type star orbiting with a invisible compact object candidate. Follow-up spectroscopic observations of Palomar 200-in. telescope (P200) enhance radial velocity measurements. We use radial velocities from LAMOST and P200, as well as light curves from Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) to constrain orbital parameters. The masses of the visible M-type stars are estimated by fitting the MIST isochrones and spectral energy distributions. The mass functions for the unseen companions are: |$0.22\pm 0.01\,{\rm M}_{\odot }$| for J035540 and |$0.16\pm 0.01\, {\rm M}_{\odot }$| for J035916. With the orbital and stellar parameters derived above and assuming the orbital inclination is 90° (edge-on), we find that the minimum masses of the invisible companions exceeds that of the visible stars. The single-lined feature and the dynamical evidence suggest the presence of compact objects. J035540's ZTF light curve, modelled with phoebe , yields a compact object mass of |$0.70^{+0.12}_{-0.05}\, {\rm M}_{\odot }$|⁠. For J035916, ellipsoidal modulation analysis constrains the light-curve amplitude, yielding a compact object mass range of |$0.57-0.90\, {\rm M}_{\odot }$|⁠. The mass estimates indicate that both are likely white dwarfs. These findings underscore the efficiency of optical time-domain surveys and dynamical methods in identifying faint, massive white dwarfs, along with other compact objects in binaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discovering transiting exoplanets with relatively long orbital periods (>10 d) is crucial to facilitate the study of cool exoplanet atmospheres (T eq < 700 K) and to understand exoplanet formation and inward migration further out than typical transiting exoplanets. In order to discover these longer period transiting exoplanets, long-term photometric, and radial velocity campaigns are required. We report the discovery of TOI-2447 b (=NGTS-29 b), a Saturn-mass transiting exoplanet orbiting a bright (T = 10.0) Solar-type star (Teff = 5730 K). TOI-2447 b was identified as a transiting exoplanet candidate from a single transit event of 1.3 per cent depth and 7.29 h duration in TESS Sector 31 and a prior transit event from 2017 in NGTS data. Four further transit events were observed with NGTS photometry which revealed an orbital period of P = 69.34 d. The transit events establish a radius for TOI-2447 b of |$0.865 \pm 0.010\, \rm R_{\rm J}$|⁠ , while radial velocity measurements give a mass of |$0.386 \pm 0.025\, \rm M_{\rm J}$|⁠. The equilibrium temperature of the planet is 414 K, making it much cooler than the majority of TESS planet discoveries. We also detect a transit signal in NGTS data not caused by TOI-2447 b, along with transit timing variations and evidence for a ∼150 d signal in radial velocity measurements. It is likely that the system hosts additional planets, but further photometry and radial velocity campaigns will be needed to determine their parameters with confidence. TOI-2447 b/NGTS-29 b joins a small but growing population of cool giants that will provide crucial insights into giant planet composition and formation mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the discovery of a brown dwarf orbiting a M1 host star. We first identified the brown dwarf within the Next Generation Transit Survey data, with supporting observations found in TESS sectors 11 and 38. We confirmed the discovery with follow-up photometry from the South African Astronomical Observatory, SPECULOOS-S, and TRAPPIST-S, and radial velocity measurements from HARPS, which allowed us to characterize the system. We find an orbital period of ∼1.25 d, a mass of |$69.0^{+5.3}_{-4.8}$|   M J, close to the hydrogen burning limit, and a radius of 0.95 ± 0.05  R J. We determine the age to be >0.5 Gyr, using model isochrones, which is found to be in agreement with spectral energy distribution fitting within errors. NGTS-28Ab is one of the shortest period systems found within the brown dwarf desert, as well as one of the highest mass brown dwarfs that transits an M dwarf. This makes NGTS-28Ab another important discovery within this scarcely populated region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hot intracluster medium (ICM) provides a unique laboratory to test multiscale physics in numerical simulations and probe plasma physics. Utilizing archival Chandra observations, we measure density fluctuations in the ICM in a sample of 80 nearby (z ≲ 1) galaxy clusters and infer scale-dependent velocities within regions affected by mergers (r < R 2500c), excluding cool-cores. Systematic uncertainties (e.g. substructures, cluster asymmetries) are carefully explored to ensure robust measurements within the bulk ICM. We find typical velocities ∼220 (300) km s−1 in relaxed (unrelaxed) clusters, which translate to non-thermal pressure fractions ∼4 (8) per cent, and clumping factors ∼1.03 (1.06). We show that density fluctuation amplitudes could distinguish relaxed from unrelaxed clusters in these regions. Comparison with density fluctuations in cosmological simulations shows good agreement in merging clusters. Simulations underpredict the amplitude of fluctuations in relaxed clusters on length scales <0.75  R 2500c, suggesting these systems are most sensitive to 'missing' physics in the simulations. In clusters hosting radio haloes, we examine correlations between gas velocities, turbulent dissipation rate, and radio emission strength/efficiency to test turbulent re-acceleration of cosmic ray electrons. We measure a weak correlation, driven by a few outlier clusters, in contrast to some previous studies. Finally, we present upper limits on effective viscosity in the bulk ICM of 16 clusters, showing it is systematically suppressed by at least a factor of 8, and the suppression is a general property of the ICM. Confirmation of our results with direct velocity measurements will be possible soon with XRISM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stellar coronal sources have been observed in the past not only for their astrophysical interest in the field of binary system evolution and interaction but also for their invaluable roles as benchmarks for plasma spectral models and as calibration sources for high resolution spectroscopic X-ray instruments. These include the gratings on-board Chandra and XMM-Newton , as well as the new generation of high resolution capable-detectors recently flown on-board XRISM and planned for the future also onboard the Athena and the LEM missions. In our previous paper exploiting Chandra /HETG observations of the prototypical coronal source Capella, it has been shown that the centroid energies of the many X-ray emission lines detected in the spectrum of this object change as a function of time due to the Doppler modulation within the binary. This is an effect that needs to be corrected while performing calibrations of high-resolution X-ray instruments. In this paper, we extend our previous work on Capella to other known stellar coronal sources that have been observed with the Chandra /HETG (11 objects in total). We measure in several objects clear trends in the velocity shifts along the orbit of the primary star, meaning that in these sources one of the two star components is largely dominating the high energy emission. In a number of systems the trend in the velocity shift is not obvious. This can be ascribed to the fact that both stellar components contribute significantly to the X-ray emission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since its launch in 2013, the Gaia space telescope has provided precise measurements of the positions and magnitudes of over 1 billion stars. This has enabled extensive searches for stellar and substellar companions through astrometric and radial velocity measurements. However, these surveys require a prior knowledge of any unresolved companion affecting the results which can be identified using photometry. In this work, Gaia 's magnitude measurements are combined with near-infrared observations from the Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS) and Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) catalogues and simulation-based inference is applied to constrain astrophysical parameters and search for hidden companions. This method is first tested on simulated sets of binary stars before expanding to Gaia 's non-single star catalogue. Using this test, a region is identified on the H–R diagram in which the method is the most accurate and all Gaia sources within that region are analysed. This analysis reproduces a known anticorrelation between metallicity and binary fraction. Finally, the method is applied to the nearby star cluster M67 and, using previous studies of the metallicity distribution, it is possible to improve constraints on binary fraction. From this the binary fraction in the cluster is calculated to vary from 30 per cent in the outer cluster to 45 per cent near the core. This is found to be significantly higher the 23 per cent binary fraction calculated for the wider stellar neighbourhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Is the population of close-in planets orbiting M dwarfs sculpted by thermally driven escape or is it a direct outcome of the planet formation process? A number of recent empirical results strongly suggest the latter. However, the unique architecture of the TOI-1266 system presents a challenge to models of planet formation and atmospheric escape given its seemingly 'inverted' architecture of a large sub-Neptune (P b = 10.9 d, |$R_{p,b}=2.62\pm 0.11\, \mathrm{R}_{\oplus }$|⁠) orbiting interior to that of the system's smaller planet (P c = 18.8 d, |$R_{p,c}=2.13\pm 0.12\, \mathrm{R}_{\oplus }$|⁠). Here, we present revised planetary radii based on new TESS and diffuser-assisted ground-based transit observations, and characterize both planetary masses using a set of 145 radial velocity measurements from HARPS-N (⁠|$M_{p,b}=4.23\pm 0.69\, \mathrm{M}_{\oplus }, M_{p,c}=2.88\pm 0.80\, \mathrm{M}_{\oplus }$|⁠). Our analysis also reveals a third planet candidate (P d = 32.3 d, |$M_{p,d}\sin {i} = 4.59^{+0.96}_{-0.94}\, \mathrm{M}_{\oplus }$|⁠), which if real, would form a chain of near 5:3 period ratios, although the system is likely not in a mean motion resonance. Our results indicate that TOI-1266 b and c are among the lowest density sub-Neptunes around M dwarfs and likely exhibit distinct bulk compositions of a gas-enveloped terrestrial (X env,b = 5.5 ± 0.7 per cent) and a water-rich world (WMFc = 59 ± 14 per cent), which is supported by hydrodynamic escape models. If distinct bulk compositions are confirmed through atmospheric characterization, the system's unique architecture would represent an interesting test case of inside-out sub-Neptune formation at pebble traps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the basics of astrophysics is the construction of a theory to explain tidal interactions and evolution. The accuracy of the theoretical models produced by these theories is relied upon by various other astrophysical fields. As a result, putting observational models to the test is of utmost importance. The foundation of this premise rests on the comparison between predicted models and observed stellar quantities. In order to maximize the potential of the topic, a comprehensive analysis of five massive eccentric binary systems is presented in this study, which is further compared with other sample sets to evaluate the impact of tidal interaction in massive eccentric systems. The amalgamation of radial velocity measurements with photometry has yielded a comprehensive collection of both physical and orbital parameters. The spectra of each binary system were evaluated using a standard atmospheric analysis in order to ascertain the temperatures and metallicities of each component in the binaries. The utilization of high-precision analysis enables us to ascertain the evolutionary status of the components that have been deduced from models of stellar evolution, by examining the positions of these components in the T |$_{\rm eff}/\log g\,{\rm Kiel}$| diagram. The examination of the influence of tidal interaction on stars possessing radiative envelopes constitutes an important part of our research. The interpretation of our analysis is situated within the framework of the temporal scales of tidal synchronization and circularization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polaris is the nearest and brightest classical Cepheid, and pulsates with a period of about 4 d. It has long been known as a single-lined spectroscopic binary with an orbital period of 30 yr. Historical photometric and spectroscopic records indicate that, until recently, the pulsation period has been increasing at a rate of about 4.5 s yr−1, and that the amplitude of the pulsation declined for most of the 20th century, but more recently halted its decline and began to increase. Here, we report an analysis of the more than 3600 individual radial velocity measurements of Polaris available from the literature over the past 126 yr. We find that the pulsation period is now becoming shorter, and that the amplitude of the velocity variations has stopped increasing, and may be getting smaller again. We also find tantalizing evidence that these changes in pulsation behaviour over the last century may be related to the binary nature of the system, as they seem to occur near each periastron passage, when the secondary comes within 29 stellar radii of the Cepheid in its eccentric orbit. This suggests the companion may be perturbing the atmosphere of the Cepheid and altering its pulsation properties at each encounter. After removal of the pulsation component of the velocities, we derive a much improved spectroscopic orbit for the binary that should serve as the basis for a more accurate determination of the dynamical masses, which are still rather uncertain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rotation curves are the key observational manifestation of the dark matter distribution around late-type galaxies. In a halo model context, the precision of constraints on halo parameters is a complex function of properties of the measurements as well as properties of the galaxy itself. Forthcoming surveys will resolve rotation curves to varying degrees of precision, or measure their integrated effect in the |$\mathrm{H}\, \small {\rm I}$| linewidth. To ascertain the relative significance of the relevant quantities for constraining halo properties, we study the information on halo mass and concentration as quantified by the Kullback–Leibler divergence of the kinematics-informed posterior from the uninformative prior. We calculate this divergence as a function of the different types of spectroscopic observation, properties of the measurement, galaxy properties, and auxiliary observational data on the baryonic components. Using the SPARC (Spitzer Photometry & Accurate Rotation Curves) sample, we find that fits to the full rotation curve exhibit a large variation in information gain between galaxies, ranging from ~1 to ~11 bits. The variation is predominantly caused by the vast differences in the number of data points and the size of velocity uncertainties between the SPARC galaxies. We also study the relative importance of the minimum |$\mathrm{H}\, \small {\rm I}$| surface density probed and the size of velocity uncertainties on the constraining power on the inner halo density slope, finding the latter to be significantly more important. We spell out the implications of these results for the optimization of galaxy surveys aiming to constrain galaxies' dark matter distributions, highlighting the need for precise velocity measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present radial velocity measurements of the very bright (V ∼ 5.7) nearby F star, DMPP-4 (HD 184960). The anomalously low Ca ii H&K emission suggests mass-loss from planets orbiting a low activity host star. Periodic radial velocity variability with ∼10 m s−1 amplitude is found to persist over a >4 yr time-scale. Although the non-simultaneous photometric variability in four TESS sectors supports the view of an inactive star, we identify periodic photometric signals and also find spectroscopic evidence for stellar activity. We used a posterior sampling algorithm that includes the number of Keplerian signals, N p, as a free parameter to test and compare (1) purely Keplerian models (2) a Keplerian model with linear activity correlation and (3) Keplerian models with Gaussian processes. A preferred model, with one Keplerian and quasi-periodic Gaussian process indicates a planet with a period of |$P_\textrm {b} = 3.4982^{+0.0015}_{-0.0027}$| d and corresponding minimum mass of |$m_\textrm {b}\, \textrm {sin}\, i = 12.2^{+1.8}_{-1.9}$| M⊕. Without further high-time resolution observations over a longer time-scale, we cannot definitively rule out the purely Keplerian model with two candidates planets with |$P_\textrm {b} = 2.4570^{+0.0026}_{-0.0462}$| d, minimum mass |$m_\textrm {b}\, \textrm {sin}\, i = 8.0^{+1.1}_{-1.5}$| M⊕ and |$P_\textrm {c} = 5.4196^{+0.6766}_{-0.0030}$| d and corresponding minimum mass of |$m_\textrm {b}\, \textrm {sin}\, i = 12.2^{+1.4}_{-1.6}$| M⊕. The candidate planets lie in the region below the lower-envelope of the Neptune Desert. Continued mass-loss may originate from the highly irradiated planets or from an as yet undetected body in the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blue straggler stars (BSSs) are formed through mass transfers or mergers in binaries. The recent detections of white dwarf (WD) companions to BSSs in M67 suggested a mass transfer pathway of formation. In search of a close companion to five BSSs in M67 that are known to be spectroscopic binaries, we study the light curves from K2 and TESS data. We use PHOEBE to analyse the light curves and estimate the properties of the companions. We detect variability in WOCS 1007, and the light curve is dominated by ellipsoidal variation. Using the light curve and radial velocity measurements, we estimate its orbital period to be 4.212 ± 0.041 d and e = 0.206 ± 002. The mass of the companion is estimated to be 0.22 ± 0.05 M⊙ with a radius of 0.078 ± 0.027  R ⊙, confirming it to be an LM WD with T eff = 14300 ± 1100 K. The estimated mass of the BSS, 1.95 ± 0.26 M⊙, is similar to that estimated from isochrones. The BSS in WOCS 1007 shows δ Scuti pulsations, although it is slightly deformed and likely to be formed through an efficient mass transfer. Though we detect a light curve for WOCS 4003 showing grazing eclipse with ellipsoidal variation, the estimated parameters are inconclusive. Apart from the 0.44 d period, we found smaller eclipses with a period of 1.1 d, suggesting a compact triple system. In the cases of WOCS 4003, WOCS 5005, and WOCS 1025, no eclipses or pulsations are detected, confirming the absence of any short-period inner binary with high inclination in these BSSs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The majority of massive stars are born in binaries, and most unbind upon the first supernova. With precise proper motion surveys such as Gaia , it is possible to trace back the motion of stars in the vicinity of young remnants to search for ejected companions. Establishing the fraction of remnants with an ejected companion, and the photometric and kinematic properties of these stars, offers unique insight into supernova progenitor systems. In this paper, we employ binary population synthesis to produce kinematic and photometric predictions for ejected secondary stars. We demonstrate that the unbound neutron star velocity distribution from supernovae in binaries closely traces the input kicks. Therefore, the observed distribution of neutron star velocities should be representative of their natal kicks. We evaluate the probability for any given filter, magnitude limit, minimum measurable proper motion (as a function of magnitude), temporal baseline, distance, and extinction that an unbound companion can be associated with a remnant. We compare our predictions with results from previous companion searches, and demonstrate that the current sample of stars ejected by the supernova of their companion can be increased by a factor of ∼5–10 with Gaia data release 3. Further progress in this area is achievable by leveraging the absolute astrometric precision of Gaia , and by obtaining multiple epochs of deep, high resolution near-infrared imaging with the Hubble Space Telescope ,  JWST and next-generation wide-field near-infrared observatories such as Euclid or the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Tucana-Horologium association is one of the closest young stellar groups to the Sun and despite the close proximity its age is still debated in the literature. We take advantage of the state-of-the-art astrometry delivered by the third data release of the Gaia space mission combined with precise radial velocity measurements obtained from high-resolution spectroscopy to investigate the dynamical age of the association. We perform an extensive traceback analysis using a combination of different samples of cluster members, metrics to evaluate the minimum size of the association in the past and models for the galactic potential to integrate the stellar orbits back in time. The dynamical age of |$38.5^{+1.6}_{-8.0}$|  Myr that we derive in this paper is consistent with the various age estimates obtained from isochrone fitting in the literature (30–50 Myr) and reconciles, for the first time, the dynamical age of the Tucana-Horologium association with the age obtained from lithium depletion (∼40 Myr). Our results are independent from stellar models and represent one more step towards constructing a self-consistent age scale for the young stellar groups of the Solar neighbourhood based on the 3D space motion of the stars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While awaiting direct velocity measurements of gas motions in the hot intracluster medium, we rely on indirect probes, including gas perturbations in galaxy clusters. Using a sample of ∼80 clusters in different dynamic states from Omega500 cosmological simulations, we examine scaling relations between the fluctuation amplitudes of gas density, δρ/ρ, pressure, δ P / P , X-ray surface brightness, Sunyaev–Zel'dovich (SZ) y-parameter, and the characteristic Mach number of gas motions, M 1d. In relaxed clusters, accounting for halo ellipticities reduces δρ/ρ or δ P / P by a factor of up to 2 within r 500 c . We confirm a strong linear correlation between δρ/ρ (or δ P / P) and M 1d in relaxed clusters, with the proportionality coefficient η ≈ 1. For unrelaxed clusters, the correlation is less strong and has a larger η ≈ 1.3 ± 0.5 (1.5 ± 0.5) for δρ/ρ (δ P / P). Examination of the M 1d − δρ/ρ relation shows that it is almost linear for relaxed clusters, while for the unrelaxed ones, it is closer to |$\delta \rho /\rho \propto M_{\rm 1d}^2$|⁠. In agreement with previous studies, we observe a strong correlation of M 1d with radius. Correcting for these correlations leaves a residual scatter in M 1d of ∼4(7) per cent for relaxed (perturbed) clusters. Hydrostatic mass bias correlates with M 1d as strongly as with δρ/ρ in relaxed clusters. The residual scatters after correcting for derived trends is ∼6−7 per cent. These predictions can be verified with existing X-ray and SZ observations of galaxy clusters combined with forthcoming velocity measurements with X-ray microcalorimeters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-mass X-ray binaries have long been theorized as potential sources of continuous gravitational-wave radiation, yet there is no observational evidence from recent LIGO/Virgo observing runs. Even for the theoretically 'loudest' source, Sco X-1, the upper limit on gravitational-wave strain has been pushed ever lower. Such searches require precise measurements of the source properties for sufficient sensitivity and computational feasibility. Collating over 20 yr of high-quality spectroscopic observations of the system, we present a precise and comprehensive ephemeris for Sco X-1 through radial velocity measurements, performing a full homogeneous re-analysis of all relevant data sets and correcting previous analyses. Our Bayesian approach accounts for observational systematics and maximizes not only precision, but also the fidelity of uncertainty estimates – crucial for informing principled continuous-wave searches. Our extensive data set and analysis also enables us to construct the highest signal-to-noise ratio, highest resolution phase-averaged spectrum of a low-mass X-ray binary to date. Doppler tomography reveals intriguing transient structures present in the accretion disc and flow driven by modulation of the accretion rate, necessitating further characterization of the system at high temporal and spectral resolution. Our ephemeris corrects and supersedes previous ephemerides, and provides a factor three reduction in the number of templates in the search space, facilitating precision searches for continuous gravitational-wave emission from Sco X-1 throughout the upcoming LIGO/Virgo/KAGRA O4 observing run and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the discovery of two exoplanets transiting TOI-836 (TIC 440887364) using data from TESS Sector 11 and Sector 38. TOI-836 is a bright (T = 8.5 mag), high proper motion (∼200 mas yr−1), low metallicity ([Fe/H]≈−0.28) K-dwarf with a mass of 0.68 ± 0.05 M⊙ and a radius of 0.67 ± 0.01 R⊙. We obtain photometric follow-up observations with a variety of facilities, and we use these data sets to determine that the inner planet, TOI-836 b, is a 1.70 ± 0.07 R⊕ super-Earth in a 3.82-d orbit, placing it directly within the so-called 'radius valley'. The outer planet, TOI-836 c, is a 2.59 ± 0.09 R⊕ mini-Neptune in an 8.60-d orbit. Radial velocity measurements reveal that TOI-836 b has a mass of 4.5 ± 0.9 M⊕, while TOI-836 c has a mass of 9.6 ± 2.6 M⊕. Photometric observations show Transit Timing Variations (TTVs) on the order of 20 min for TOI-836 c, although there are no detectable TTVs for TOI-836 b. The TTVs of planet TOI-836 c may be caused by an undetected exterior planet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eclipsing binaries are important benchmark objects to test and calibrate stellar structure and evolution models. This is especially true for binaries with a fully convective M-dwarf component for which direct measurements of these stars' masses and radii are difficult using other techniques. Within the potential of M-dwarfs to be exoplanet host stars, the accuracy of theoretical predictions of their radius and effective temperature as a function of their mass is an active topic of discussion. Not only the parameters of transiting exoplanets but also the success of future atmospheric characterization relies on accurate theoretical predictions. We present the analysis of five eclipsing binaries with low-mass stellar companions out of a subsample of 23, for which we obtained ultra-high-precision light curves using the CHEOPS satellite. The observation of their primary and secondary eclipses are combined with spectroscopic measurements to precisely model the primary parameters and derive the M-dwarfs mass, radius, surface gravity, and effective temperature estimates using the PYCHEOPS data analysis software. Combining these results to the same set of parameters derived from TESS light curves, we find very good agreement (better than 1 per cent for radius and better than 0.2 per cent for surface gravity). We also analyse the importance of precise orbits from radial velocity measurements and find them to be crucial to derive M-dwarf radii in a regime below 5 per cent accuracy. These results add five valuable data points to the mass–radius diagram of fully convective M-dwarfs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cross-correlation function and template matching techniques have dominated the world of precision radial velocities for many years. Recently, a new technique, named line-by-line, has been developed as an outlier resistant way to efficiently extract radial velocity content from high resolution spectra. We apply this new method to archival HARPS and CARMENES data sets of the K2-18 system. After reprocessing the HARPS data set with the line-by-line framework, we are able to replicate the findings of previous studies. Furthermore, by splitting the full wavelength range into sub-domains, we were able to identify a systematic chromatic correlation of the radial velocities in the reprocessed CARMENES data set. After post-processing the radial velocities to remove this correlation, as well as rejecting some outlier nights, we robustly uncover the signal of both K2-18 b and K2-18 c, with masses that agree with those found from our analysis of the HARPS data set. We then combine both the HARPS and CARMENES velocities to refine the parameters of both planets, notably resulting in a revised mass and period for K2-18 c of |$6.99^{+0.96}_{-0.99}$|   |$\rm M_{\oplus }$| and 9.2072 ± 0.0065 d, respectively. Our work thoroughly demonstrates the power of the line-by-line technique for the extraction of precision radial velocity information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The next generation of detectors will detect gravitational waves from binary neutron stars at cosmological distances, for which around a 1000 electromagnetic follow-ups may be observed per year. So far, most work devoted to the expected cosmological impact of these standard sirens employed them only as distance indicators. Only recently their use as tracers of clustering, similar to what already proposed for supernovae, has been studied. Focusing on the expected specifications of the Einstein Telescope (ET), we forecast here the performance on cosmological parameters of future standard sirens as both distance and density indicators, with emphasis on the linear perturbation growth index and on spatial curvature. We improve upon previous studies in a number of ways: a more detailed analysis of available telescope time, the inclusion of more cosmological and nuisance parameters, the Alcock–Paczynski correction, the use of sirens also as both velocity and density tracers, and a more accurate estimation of the distance posterior. We find that the analysis of the clustering of sirens improves the constraints on H 0 by 30 per cent and on Ω k 0 by over an order of magnitude, with respect to their use merely as distance indicators. With 5 yr of joint ET and Rubin Observatory follow-ups we could reach precision of 0.1 km s−1 Mpc−1 in H 0 and 0.02 in Ω k 0 using only data in the range 0 < z < 0.5. We also find that the use of sirens as tracers of density, and not only velocity, yields good improvements on the growth of structure constraints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The masses of compact objects in X-ray binaries are best constrained through dynamical measurements, relying on radial velocity curves of the companion star. In anticipation of upcoming high X-ray spectral resolution telescopes, we explore their potential to constrain the mass function of the compact object. Fe K line fluorescence is a common feature in the spectra of luminous X-ray binaries, with a Doppler-broadened component from the inner accretion disc extensively studied. If a corresponding narrow line from the X-ray irradiated companion can be isolated, this provides an opportunity to further constrain the binary system properties. Here, we model binary geometry to determine the companion star's solid angle, and deduce the iron line's equivalent width. We find that for systems with a mass ratio q  > 0.1, the expected Kα equivalent width is 2–40 eV. Simulations using xspec indicate that new microcalorimeters will have sufficient resolution to be able to produce Kα emission-line radial velocity measurements with precision of 5–40 km s−1, for source continuum fluxes exceeding 10−12 erg cm−2 s−1. Several caveats need to be considered; this method is dependent on successful isolation of the narrow line from the broad component, and the observation of clear changes in velocity independent of scatter arising from complex wind and disc behaviour. These issues remain to be proven with microcalorimeters, but this method has the potential to constrain binary parameters where optical measurements are not viable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

WR 21a was known as a massive spectroscopic binary composed of an O2.5 If*/WN6ha primary and an O3 V((f*))z secondary. Although a minimum value, the mass estimated for the primary placed it as one of the most massive stars found in our Galaxy. We report the discovery of photometric variations in the time series observations carried out by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). These light variations are interpreted as formed by two main components: a sharp partial eclipse of the O3 secondary by the O2.5/WN6 star, and tidally excited oscillations. Based on the light minima, a new ephemeris for the system is calculated. The system configuration is detached and the observed eclipse corresponds to the periastron passage. During the eclipse, the light curve shape suggests the presence of the heartbeat effect. The frequencies derived for the tidally excited oscillations are harmonics of the orbital period. Combining new and previously published radial velocity measurements, a new spectroscopic orbital solution is also obtained. Using the phoebe code we model the TESS light curve and determine stellar radii of R O2.5/WN6 = 23.4 R⊙ and R O3 = 14.3 R⊙ and an orbital inclination i  = 62 |${_{.}^{\circ}}$| 2 ± 0 |${_{.}^{\circ}}$| 9. The latter combined with the spectroscopic minimum masses lead to absolute masses of M O2.5/WN6 = 93.2 M⊙ and M O3 = 52.9 M⊙, which establishes WR 21a as belonging to the rare group of the very massive stars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The C-19 stream is the most metal-poor stellar system ever discovered, with a mean metallicity [Fe/H] = −3.38 ± 0.06. Its low metallicity dispersion (σ[Fe/H] < 0.18 at the 95 per cent confidence level) and variations in sodium abundances strongly suggest a globular cluster origin. In this work, we use Very Large Telescope (VLT)/UV–Visual Echelle Spectrograph (UVES) spectra of seven C-19 stars to derive more precise velocity measurements for member stars, and to identify two new members with radial velocities and metallicities consistent with the stream's properties. One of these new member stars is located 30° away from the previously identified body of C-19, implying that the stream is significantly more extended than previously known and that more members likely await discovery. In the main part of C-19, we measure a radial velocity dispersion σ v = 6.2 |$^{+2.0}_{-1.4}{\rm \, km\, s^{-1}}$| from nine members, and a stream width of 0.56° ± 0.08°, equivalent to ∼158 pc at a heliocentric distance of 18 kpc. These confirm that C-19 is comparatively hotter, dynamically, than other known globular cluster streams and shares the properties of faint dwarf galaxy streams. On the other hand, the variations in the Na abundances of the three newly observed bright member stars, the variations in Mg and Al for two of them, and the normal Ba abundance of the one star where it can be measured provide further evidence for a globular cluster origin. The tension between the dynamical and chemical properties of C-19 suggests that its progenitor experienced a complex birth environment or disruption history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are few direct measurements of the intracluster medium (ICM) velocity structure, despite its importance for understanding clusters. We present a detailed analysis of the velocity structure of the Centaurus cluster using XMM–Newton observations. Using a new European Photon Imaging Camera-pn energy scale calibration, which uses the Cu Kα instrumental line as reference, we are able to obtain velocity measurements with uncertainties down to Δ |$\mathit{ v}$| ∼ 79 km s−1. We create 2D spectral maps for the velocity, metallicity, temperature, density, entropy, and pressure with a spatial resolution of 0.25 arcmin. We have found that the velocity structure of the ICM is similar to the velocity structure of the main galaxies, while the cold fronts are likely moving in a plane perpendicular to our line of sight with low velocity. Finally, we have found a contribution from the kinetic component of |$\lt 25{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$| to the total energetic budget for a radius >30 kpc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Establishing a large sample of post-common-envelope binaries (PCEBs) that consist of a white dwarf plus an intermediate mass companion star of spectral type AFGK, offers the potential to provide new constraints on theoretical models of white dwarf binary formation and evolution. Here, we present a detailed analysis of two new systems, TYC 110-755-1 and TYC 3858-1215-1. Based on radial velocity measurements, we find the orbital periods of the two systems to be ∼0.85 and ∼1.64 d, respectively. In addition, HST spectroscopy of TYC 110-755-1 allowed us to measure the mass of the white dwarf in this system (0.78 M⊙). We furthermore analysed TESS high-time-resolution photometry and find both secondary stars to be magnetically extremely active. Differences in the photometric and spectroscopic periods of TYC 110-755-1 indicate that the secondary in this system is differentially rotating. Finally, studying the past and future evolution of both systems, we conclude that the common envelope efficiency is likely similar in close white dwarf plus AFGK binaries and PCEBs with M-dwarf companions and find a wide range of possible evolutionary histories for both systems. While TYC 3858-1215-1 will run into dynamically unstable mass transfer that will cause the two stars to merge and evolve into a single white dwarf, TYC 110-755-1 is a progenitor of a cataclysmic variable system with an evolved donor star. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a detailed study of the stellar and orbital parameters of the post-common envelope binary central star of the planetary nebula Ou 5. Low-resolution spectra obtained during the primary eclipse – to our knowledge the first isolated spectra of the companion to a post-common-envelope planetary nebula central star – were compared to catalogue spectra, indicating that the companion star is a late K- or early M-type dwarf. Simultaneous modelling of multiband photometry and time-resolved radial velocity measurements was then used to independently determine the parameters of both stars as well as the orbital period and inclination. The modelling indicates that the companion star is low mass (∼0.25 M⊙) and has a radius significantly larger than would be expected for its mass. Furthermore, the effective temperature and surface gravity of nebular progenitor, as derived by the modelling, do not lie on single-star post-AGB evolutionary tracks, instead being more consistent with a post-RGB evolution. However, an accurate determination of the component masses is challenging. This is principally due to the uncertainty on the locus of the spectral lines generated by the irradiation of the companion's atmosphere by the hot primary (used to derive companion star's radial velocities), as well as the lack of radial velocities of the primary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work we report the discovery and analysis of three new triply eclipsing triple star systems found with the TESS mission during its observations of the northern skies: TICs 193993801, 388459317, and 52041148. We utilized the TESS precision photometry of the binary eclipses and third-body eclipsing events, ground-based archival and follow-up photometric data, eclipse timing variations, archival spectral energy distributions, as well as theoretical evolution tracks in a joint photodynamical analysis to deduce the system masses and orbital parameters of both the inner and outer orbits. In one case (TIC 193993801) we also obtained radial velocity measurements of all three stars. This enabled us to 'calibrate' our analysis approach with and without 'truth' (i.e. RV) data. We find that the masses are good to 1–3 per cent accuracy with RV data and 3–10 per cent without the use of RV data. In all three systems we were able to find the outer orbital period before doing any detailed analysis by searching for a longer-term periodicity in the ASAS-SN archival photometry data – just a few thousand ASAS-SN points enabled us to find the outer periods of 49.28 d, 89.86 d, and 177.0 d, respectively. From our full photodynamical analysis we find that all three systems are coplanar to within 1°−3°. The outer eccentricities of the three systems are 0.003, 0.10, and 0.62, respectively (i.e. spanning a factor of 200). The masses of the three stars {Aa, Ab, and B} in the three systems are: {1.31, 1.19, 1.34}, {1.82, 1.73, 2.19}, and {1.62, 1.48, 2.74} M⊙, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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 mass of 13.8 ± 1.0 M⊕ and radius of 3.03 ± 0.15 R⊕, implying a bulk density of 2.73 ± 0.47  |$\rm {g\,cm}^{-3}$|⁠. TOI-220  b orbits a relative bright (V = 10.4) and old (10.1 ± 1.4 Gyr) K dwarf star with a period of ∼10.69 d. Thus, TOI-220  b is a new warm sub-Neptune with very precise mass and radius determinations. A Bayesian analysis of the TOI-220  b internal structure indicates that due to the strong irradiation it receives, the low density of this planet could be explained with a steam atmosphere in radiative–convective equilibrium and a supercritical water layer on top of a differentiated interior made of a silicate mantle and a small iron core. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present updated orbital elements for the Wolf–Rayet (WR) binary WR 140 (HD 193793; WC7pd  + O5.5fc). The new orbital elements were derived using previously published measurements along with 160 new radial velocity measurements across the 2016 periastron passage of WR 140. Additionally, four new measurements of the orbital astrometry were collected with the CHARA Array. With these measurements, we derive stellar masses of |$M_{\rm WR} = 10.31\pm 0.45 \, \mathrm{M}_\odot$| and |$M_{\rm O} = 29.27\pm 1.14 \, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$|⁠. We also include a discussion of the evolutionary history of this system from the Binary Population and Spectral Synthesis model grid to show that this WR star likely formed primarily through mass-loss in the stellar winds, with only a moderate amount of mass lost or transferred through binary interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the results the photometric observations of the Type IIP supernova SN 2012aw obtained for the time interval from 7 to 371 d after the explosion. Using the previously published values of the photospheric velocities, we have computed the hydrodynamic model which simultaneously reproduced the photometry observations and velocity measurements. We found the parameters of the pre-supernova: radius R  = 500  R ⊙, nickel mass M (56Ni |$)\, \sim 0.06\, \rm M_\odot$|⁠ , pre-supernova mass 25 M⊙, mass of ejected envelope 23.6 M⊙, explosion energy E ∼ 2 × 1051 erg. The model progenitor mass M  = 25 M⊙ significantly exceeds the upper limit mass M  = 17 M⊙, obtained from analysis the pre-SNe observations. This result confirms once more that the 'Red Supergiant Problem' must be resolved by stellar evolution and supernova explosion theories in interaction with observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The metallicity dependence of the wide-binary fraction (WBF) IN stellar populations plays a critical role in resolving the open question of wide-binary formation. In this paper, we investigate the metallicity ([Fe/H]) and age dependence of the WBF (binary separations between 103 and 104 au) for field F and G dwarfs within 500 pc by combining their metallicity and radial velocity measurements from LAMOST Data Release 5 (DR5) with the astrometric information from Gaia DR2. We show that the WBF strongly depends on the metallicity: as metallicity increases, the WBF first increases, peaks at [Fe/H] ≃ 0, and then decreases at the high-metallicity end. The WBF at [Fe/H] = 0 is about two times larger than that at [Fe/H] = −1 and +0.5. This metallicity dependence is dominated by the thin-disc stars. Using stellar kinematics as a proxy of stellar age, we show that younger stars have a higher WBF at fixed metallicity close to solar. We propose that multiple formation channels are responsible for the metallicity and age dependence. In particular, the positive metallicity correlation at [Fe/H] < 0 and the age dependence may be due to the denser formation environments and higher mass clusters at earlier times. The negative metallicity correlation at [Fe/H] > 0 can be inherited from the similar metallicity dependence of close binaries, and radial migration may play a role in enhancing the WBF around the solar metallicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the discovery of the transiting exoplanet NGTS-12b by the Next Generation Transit Survey (NGTS). The host star, NGTS-12, is a V = 12.38 mag star with an effective temperature of Teff = 5690 ± 130 K. NGTS-12b orbits with a period of P  = 7.53 d, making it the longest period planet discovered to date by the main NGTS survey. We verify the NGTS transit signal with data extracted from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) full-frame images, and combining the photometry with radial velocity measurements from HARPS and FEROS we determine NGTS-12b to have a mass of 0.208 ± 0.022 M J and a radius of 1.048 ± 0.032 R J . NGTS-12b sits on the edge of the Neptunian desert when we take the stellar properties into account, highlighting the importance of considering both the planet and star when studying the desert. The long period of NGTS-12b combined with its low density of just 0.223 ± 0.029 g cm−3 make it an attractive target for atmospheric characterization through transmission spectroscopy with a Transmission Spectroscopy Metric of 89.4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hard X-ray spectrum of magnetic cataclysmic variables can be modelled to provide a measurement of white dwarf mass. This method is complementary to radial velocity measurements, which depend on the (typically rather uncertain) binary inclination. Here, we present results from a Legacy Survey of 19 magnetic cataclysmic variables with NuSTAR. We fit accretion column models to their 20–78 keV spectra and derive the white dwarf masses, finding a weighted average |$\bar{M}_{\rm WD}=0.77\pm 0.02$|   M ⊙, with a standard deviation σ = 0.10  M ⊙, when we include the masses derived from previous NuSTAR observations of seven additional magnetic cataclysmic variables. We find that the mass distribution of accreting magnetic white dwarfs is consistent with that of white dwarfs in non-magnetic cataclysmic variables. Both peak at a higher mass than the distributions of isolated white dwarfs and post-common-envelope binaries. We speculate as to why this might be the case, proposing that consequential angular momentum losses may play a role in accreting magnetic white dwarfs and/or that our knowledge of how the white dwarf mass changes over accretion–nova cycles may also be incomplete. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the lens mass model of the quadruply-imaged gravitationally lensed quasar WFI2033 − 4723, and perform a blind cosmographical analysis based on this system. Our analysis combines (1) time-delay measurements from 14 yr of data obtained by the COSmological MOnitoring of GRAvItational Lenses (COSMOGRAIL) collaboration, (2) high-resolution Hubble Space Telescope imaging, (3) a measurement of the velocity dispersion of the lens galaxy based on ESO-MUSE data, and (4) multi-band, wide-field imaging and spectroscopy characterizing the lens environment. We account for all known sources of systematics, including the influence of nearby perturbers and complex line-of-sight structure, as well as the parametrization of the light and mass profiles of the lensing galaxy. After unblinding, we determine the effective time-delay distance to be |$4784_{-248}^{+399}~\mathrm{Mpc}$|⁠ , an average precision of |$6.6{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$|⁠. This translates to a Hubble constant |$H_{0} = 71.6_{-4.9}^{+3.8}~\mathrm{km~s^{-1}~Mpc^{-1}}$|⁠ , assuming a flat ΛCDM cosmology with a uniform prior on Ωm in the range [0.05, 0.5]. This work is part of the H 0 Lenses in COSMOGRAIL's Wellspring (H0LiCOW) collaboration, and the full time-delay cosmography results from a total of six strongly lensed systems are presented in a companion paper (H0LiCOW XIII). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the lens mass model of the quadruply-imaged gravitationally lensed quasar WFI2033 − 4723, and perform a blind cosmographical analysis based on this system. Our analysis combines (1) time-delay measurements from 14 yr of data obtained by the COSmological MOnitoring of GRAvItational Lenses (COSMOGRAIL) collaboration, (2) high-resolution Hubble Space Telescope imaging, (3) a measurement of the velocity dispersion of the lens galaxy based on ESO-MUSE data, and (4) multi-band, wide-field imaging and spectroscopy characterizing the lens environment. We account for all known sources of systematics, including the influence of nearby perturbers and complex line-of-sight structure, as well as the parametrization of the light and mass profiles of the lensing galaxy. After unblinding, we determine the effective time-delay distance to be |$4784_{-248}^{+399}~\mathrm{Mpc}$|⁠ , an average precision of |$6.6{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$|⁠. This translates to a Hubble constant |$H_{0} = 71.6_{-4.9}^{+3.8}~\mathrm{km~s^{-1}~Mpc^{-1}}$|⁠ , assuming a flat ΛCDM cosmology with a uniform prior on Ωm in the range [0.05, 0.5]. This work is part of the H 0 Lenses in COSMOGRAIL's Wellspring (H0LiCOW) collaboration, and the full time-delay cosmography results from a total of six strongly lensed systems are presented in a companion paper (H0LiCOW XIII). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present an independent discovery and detailed characterization of K2-280 b, a transiting low density warm sub-Saturn in a 19.9-d moderately eccentric orbit (e  = |$0.35_{-0.04}^{+0.05}$|  ) from K2 campaign 7. A joint analysis of high precision HARPS, HARPS-N, and FIES radial velocity measurements and K2 photometric data indicates that K2-280 b has a radius of R b = 7.50 ± 0.44 R⊕ and a mass of M b = 37.1 ± 5.6 M⊕, yielding a mean density of ρb = |$0.48 _{ - 0.10 } ^ { + 0.13 }$|   |${\rm g\, cm^{-3}}$|⁠. The host star is a mildly evolved G7 star with an effective temperature of T eff = 5500 ± 100 K, a surface gravity of |$\log \, g_{\star }$|  = 4.21 ± 0.05 (cgs), and an iron abundance of [Fe/H] = |${0.33}\, {\pm }\, {0.08}$|  dex, and with an inferred mass of M ⋆ = 1.03 ± 0.03 M⊙ and a radius of R ⋆ = 1.28 ± 0.07 R⊙. We discuss the importance of K2-280 b for testing formation scenarios of sub-Saturn planets and the current sample of this intriguing group of planets that are absent in the Solar system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, we demonstrated how an astrophotonic light reformatting device, based on a multicore fibre photonic lantern and a 3D waveguide component, can be used to efficiently reformat the point spread function of a telescope to a diffraction-limited pseudo-slit. Here, we demonstrate how such a device can also efficiently mitigate modal noise – a potential source of instability in high-resolution multimode fibre-fed spectrographs. To investigate the modal noise performance of the photonic reformatter, we have used it to feed light into a bench-top near-infrared spectrograph (R ≈ 7000, λ ≈ 1550 nm). One approach to quantifying the modal noise involved the use of broad-band excitation light and a statistical analysis of how the overall measured spectrum was affected by variations in the input coupling conditions. This approach indicated that the photonic reformatter could reduce modal noise by a factor of 6 when compared to a multimode fibre with a similar number of guided modes. Another approach to quantifying the modal noise involved the use of multiple spectrally narrow lines, and an analysis of how the measured barycentres of these lines were affected by variations in the input coupling. Using this approach, the photonic reformatter was observed to suppress modal noise to the level necessary to obtain spectra with stability close to that observed when using a single mode fibre feed. These results demonstrate the potential of using photonic reformatters to enable efficient multimode spectrographs that operate at the diffraction-limit and are free of modal noise, with potential applications including radial velocity measurements of M-dwarfs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We characterize the Gaia –Enceladus–Sausage kinematic structure recently discovered in the Galactic halo using photometric metallicities from the SkyMapper survey, and kinematics from Gaia  radial velocities measurements. By examining the metallicity distribution functions (MDFs) of stars binned in kinematic/action spaces, we find that the |$\sqrt{J_R}$| versus Lz space allows for the cleanest selection of Gaia –Enceladus–Sausage stars with minimal contamination from disc or halo stars formed in situ or in other past mergers. Stars with |$30 \le \sqrt{J_R} \le 50$| (kpc km s−1)1/2 and −500 ≤ Lz  ≤ 500 kpc km s−1 have a narrow MDF centred at [Fe/H] = −1.17 dex with a dispersion of 0.34 dex. This [Fe/H] estimate is more metal-rich than literature estimates by 0.1−0.3 dex. Based on the MDFs, we find that selection of Gaia –Enceladus–Sausage stars in other kinematic/action spaces without additional population information leads to contaminated samples. The clean Gaia –Enceladus–Sausage sample selected according to our criteria is slightly retrograde and lies along the blue sequence of the high V T halo colour magnitude diagram dual sequence. Using a galaxy mass–metallicity relation derived from cosmological simulations and assuming a mean stellar age of 10 Gyr, we estimate the mass of the Gaia –Enceladus–Sausage progenitor satellite to be 108.85–9.85 M⊙, which is consistent with literature estimates based on disc dynamic and simulations. Additional information on detailed abundances and ages would be needed for a more sophisticated selection of purely Gaia –Enceladus–Sausage stars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a Bayesian method to identify multiple (chemodynamic) stellar populations in dwarf spheroidal galaxies (dSphs) using velocity, metallicity, and positional stellar data without the assumption of spherical symmetry. We apply this method to a new Keck/Deep Imaging Multi-Object Spectrograph (DEIMOS) spectroscopic survey of the Ursa Minor (UMi) dSph. We identify 892 likely members, making this the largest UMi sample with line-of-sight velocity and metallicity measurements. Our Bayesian method detects two distinct chemodynamic populations with high significance (in logarithmic Bayes factor, ln B ∼ 33). The metal-rich ([Fe/H] = −2.05 ± 0.03) population is kinematically colder (radial velocity dispersion of $\sigma _v=4.9_{-1.0}^{+0.8} \, \mathrm{km} \, \mathrm{s}^{-1}$) and more centrally concentrated than the metal-poor ($[{\rm Fe/H}]=-2.29_{-0.06}^{+0.05}$) and kinematically hotter population ($\sigma _v =11.5_{-0.8}^{+0.9}\, \mathrm{km} \, \mathrm{s}^{-1}$). Furthermore, we apply the same analysis to an independent Multiple Mirror Telescope (MMT)/Hectochelle data set and confirm the existence of two chemodynamic populations in UMi. In both data sets, the metal-rich population is significantly flattened (ϵ = 0.75 ± 0.03) and the metal-poor population is closer to spherical ($\epsilon =0.33_{-0.09}^{+0.12}$). Despite the presence of two populations, we are able to robustly estimate the slope of the dynamical mass profile. We found hints for prolate rotation of order ${\sim}2 \, \mathrm{km} \, \mathrm{s}^{-1}$ in the MMT data set, but further observations are required to verify this. The flattened metal-rich population invalidates assumptions built into simple dynamical mass estimators, so we computed new astrophysical dark matter annihilation (J) and decay profiles based on the rounder, hotter metal-poor population and inferred $\log _{10}{(J(0{^{\circ}_{.}}5)/{\rm GeV^{2} \, cm^{-5}})}\approx 19.1$ for the Keck data set. Our results paint a more complex picture of the evolution of UMi than previously discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite has produced a large number of single-transit event candidates which are being monitored by the Next Generation Transit Survey (NGTS). We observed a second epoch for the TIC-231005575 system (Tmag = 12.06 and $T_{\rm eff} = 5500 \pm 85\, \mathrm{ K}$) with NGTS and a third epoch with Las Cumbres Observatory's telescope in South Africa to constrain the orbital period ($P = 61.777\, \mathrm{ d}$). Subsequent radial velocity measurements with CORALIE revealed the transiting object has a mass of M2 = 0.128 ± 0.003 M⊙, indicating the system is a G-M binary. The radius of the secondary is R2 = 0.154 ± 0.008 R⊙ and is consistent with mesa models of stellar evolution to better than 1σ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We re-analyse data from the gravitational-wave event GW170817 and its host galaxy NGC 4993 to demonstrate the importance of accurate total and peculiar velocities when measuring the Hubble constant using this nearby standard siren. We show that a number of reasonable choices can be made to estimate the velocities for this event, but that systematic differences remain between these measurements depending on the data used. This leads to significant changes in the Hubble constant inferred from GW170817. We present Bayesian model averaging as one way to account for these differences, and obtain |$H_{0}=66.8^{+13.4}_{-9.2}\, \mathrm{km\, s^{-1}\, Mpc^{-1}}$|⁠. Adding additional information on the viewing angle from high-resolution imaging of the radio counterpart refines this to |$H_{0}=64.8^{+7.3}_{-7.2}\, \mathrm{km\, s^{-1}\, Mpc^{-1}}$|⁠. During this analysis, we also present an alternative Bayesian model for the posterior on H 0 from standard sirens that works more closely with observed quantities from redshift and peculiar velocity surveys. Our results more accurately capture the true uncertainty on the total and peculiar velocities of NGC 4993 and show that exploring how well different data sets characterize galaxy groups and the velocity field in the local Universe could improve this measurement further. These considerations impact any low-redshift distance measurement, and the improvements we suggest here can also be applied to standard candles like Type Ia supernovae. GW170817 is particularly sensitive to peculiar velocity uncertainties because it is so close. For future standard siren measurements, the importance of this error will decrease as (i) we will measure more distant standard sirens and (ii) the random direction of peculiar velocities will average out with more detections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We re-analyse data from the gravitational-wave event GW170817 and its host galaxy NGC 4993 to demonstrate the importance of accurate total and peculiar velocities when measuring the Hubble constant using this nearby standard siren. We show that a number of reasonable choices can be made to estimate the velocities for this event, but that systematic differences remain between these measurements depending on the data used. This leads to significant changes in the Hubble constant inferred from GW170817. We present Bayesian model averaging as one way to account for these differences, and obtain |$H_{0}=66.8^{+13.4}_{-9.2}\, \mathrm{km\, s^{-1}\, Mpc^{-1}}$|⁠. Adding additional information on the viewing angle from high-resolution imaging of the radio counterpart refines this to |$H_{0}=64.8^{+7.3}_{-7.2}\, \mathrm{km\, s^{-1}\, Mpc^{-1}}$|⁠. During this analysis, we also present an alternative Bayesian model for the posterior on H 0 from standard sirens that works more closely with observed quantities from redshift and peculiar velocity surveys. Our results more accurately capture the true uncertainty on the total and peculiar velocities of NGC 4993 and show that exploring how well different data sets characterize galaxy groups and the velocity field in the local Universe could improve this measurement further. These considerations impact any low-redshift distance measurement, and the improvements we suggest here can also be applied to standard candles like Type Ia supernovae. GW170817 is particularly sensitive to peculiar velocity uncertainties because it is so close. For future standard siren measurements, the importance of this error will decrease as (i) we will measure more distant standard sirens and (ii) the random direction of peculiar velocities will average out with more detections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the period, eccentricity, and mass determination for the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) single-transit event candidate TOI-222, which displayed a single 3000 ppm transit in the TESS 2-min cadence data from Sector 2. We determine the orbital period via radial velocity measurements (P = 33.9 d), which allowed for ground-based photometric detection of two subsequent transits. Our data show that the companion to TOI-222 is a low-mass star, with a radius of |$0.18_{-0.10}^{+0.39}$|  R⊙ and a mass of 0.23 ± 0.01 M⊙. This discovery showcases the ability to efficiently discover long-period systems from TESS single-transit events using a combination of radial velocity monitoring coupled with high-precision ground-based photometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Velocity statistics is a direct probe of the dynamics of interstellar turbulence. Its observational measurements are very challenging due to the convolution between density and velocity and projection effects. We introduce the projected velocity structure function, which can be generally applied to statistical studies of both subsonic and supersonic turbulence in different interstellar phases. It recovers the turbulent velocity spectrum from the projected velocity field in different regimes, and when the thickness of a cloud is less than the driving scale of turbulence, it can also be used to determine the cloud thickness and the turbulence driving scale. By applying it to the existing core velocity dispersion measurements of the Taurus cloud, we find a transition from the Kolmogorov to the Burgers scaling of turbulent velocities with decreasing length-scales, corresponding to the large-scale solenoidal motions and small-scale compressive motions, respectively. The latter occupy a small fraction of the volume and can be selectively sampled by clusters of cores with the typical cluster size indicated by the transition scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CAFE is a high-resolution spectrograph with high-precision radial velocity capabilities mounted at the 2.2 m telescope of Calar Alto Observatory. It suffered from strong degradation after 4 yr of operations and it has now been upgraded. The upgrades of the instrument (now named CAFE2) aimed at recovering the throughput and improving the stability due to the installation of a new grating, an active temperature control in the isolated coudé room, and a new scrambling system. In this paper, we present the results of the new commissioning of the instrument and a new pipeline (CAFExtractor) that provides the user with fully reduced data including radial velocity measurements of FGK dwarf stars. The commissioning results show a clear improvement in the instrument performance. The room temperature is now stabilized down to 5 mK during one night and below 50 mK over two months. CAFE2 now provides 3 m s−1 precision on the reference ThAr frames and the on-sky tests provide a radial velocity precision of 8 m s−1 during one night (for S/N > 50). The throughput of the instrument is now back to nominal values with an efficiency of around 15 per cent at 550 nm. The limiting magnitude of the instrument for a 1 h exposure and S/N = 20 is V  = 15. With all these properties, CAFE enters into the small family of high-resolution spectrographs at 2–4 m telescopes capable of reaching radial velocity precisions below 10 m s−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) produces a large number of single-transit event candidates, since the mission monitors most stars for only ∼27 d. Such candidates correspond to long-period planets or eclipsing binaries. Using the TESS Sector 1 full-frame images, we identified a 7750 ppm single-transit event with a duration of 7 h around the moderately evolved F-dwarf star TIC-238855958 (T mag = 10.23, T eff = 6280 ± 85 K). Using archival WASP photometry we constrained the true orbital period to one of three possible values. We detected a subsequent transit-event with NGTS, which revealed the orbital period to be 38.20 d. Radial velocity measurements from the CORALIE Spectrograph show the secondary object has a mass of M 2 = 0.148 ± 0.003 M⊙, indicating this system is an F–M eclipsing binary. The radius of the M-dwarf companion is R 2 = 0.171 ± 0.003 R⊙, making this one of the most well characterized stars in this mass regime. We find that its radius is 2.3σ lower than expected from stellar evolution models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has recently been shown by Egal et al. that some types of existing meteor in-atmosphere trajectory estimation methods may be less accurate than others, particularly when applied to high-precision optical measurements. The comparative performance of trajectory solution methods has previously only been examined for a small number of cases. Besides the radiant, orbital accuracy depends on the estimation of pre-atmosphere velocities, which have both random and systematic biases. Thus, it is critical to understand the uncertainty in velocity measurement inherent to each trajectory estimation method. In this first of a series of two papers, we introduce a novel meteor trajectory estimation method that uses the observed dynamics of meteors across stations as a global optimization function and that does not require either a theoretical or an empirical flight model to solve for velocity. We also develop a 3D observational meteor trajectory simulator that uses a meteor ablation model to replicate the dynamics of meteoroid flight, as a means to validate different trajectory solvers. We both test this new method and compare it to other methods, using synthetic meteors from three major showers spanning a wide range of velocities and geometries (Draconids, Geminids, and Perseids). We determine which meteor trajectory solving algorithm performs better for all-sky, moderate field-of-view, and high-precision narrow-field optical meteor detection systems. The results are presented in the second paper in this series. Finally, we give detailed equations for estimating meteor trajectories and analytically computing meteoroid orbits, and provide the python code of the methodology as open-source software. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We revisit our mapping of the 'Local Hole', a large underdensity in the local galaxy redshift distribution that extends out to redshift z ≈ 0.05 and a potential source of outflows that may perturb the global expansion rate and thus help mitigate the present ' H 0 tension'. First, we compare local peculiar velocities measured via the galaxy average redshift–magnitude Hubble diagram, |$\overline{z}(m)$|⁠ , with a simple dynamical outflow model based on the average underdensity in the Local Hole. We find that this outflow model is in good agreement with our peculiar velocity measurements from |$\overline{z}(m)$| and not significantly inconsistent with Type Ia supernova peculiar velocity measurements from at least the largest previous survey. This outflow could cause an ≈2–3 per cent increase in the local value of Hubble's constant. Second, considering anisotropic motions, we find that the addition of the outflow model may improve the |$\overline{z}(m)$| fit of a bulk flow where galaxies are otherwise at rest in the Local Group frame. We conclude that the Local Hole plus neighbouring overdensities such as the Shapley Supercluster may cause outflow and bulk motions out to ≈150  h −1 Mpc that are cosmologically significant and that need to be taken into account in estimating Hubble's constant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]