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Deep exploration of $\epsilon$ Eridani with Keck Ms-band vortex coronagraphy and radial velocities: mass and orbital parameters of the giant exoplanet
- Source :
- Astronomical Journal, Astronomical Journal, American Astronomical Society, 2019, 157 (1), pp.33. ⟨10.3847/1538-3881/aaef8a⟩, The Astronomical Journal, The Astronomical Journal, American Astronomical Society, 2019, 157 (1), pp.33. ⟨10.3847/1538-3881/aaef8a⟩
- Publication Year :
- 2018
-
Abstract
- We present the most sensitive direct imaging and radial velocity (RV) exploration of $\epsilon$ Eridani to date. $\epsilon$ Eridani is an adolescent planetary system, reminiscent of the early Solar system. It is surrounded by a prominent and complex debris disk which is likely stirred by one or several gas giant exoplanets. The discovery of the RV signature of a giant exoplanet was announced 15 years ago, but has met with scrutiny due to possible confusion with stellar noise. We confirm the planet with a new compilation and analysis of precise RV data spanning 30 years, and combine it with upper limits from our direct imaging search, the most sensitive ever performed. The deep images were taken in the Ms band (4.7$\mu$m) with the vortex coronagraph recently installed in W.M. Keck Observatory's infrared camera NIRC2, which opens a sensitive window for planet searches around nearby adolescent systems. The RV data and direct imaging upper limit maps were combined in an innovative joint Bayesian analysis, providing new constraints on the mass and orbital parameters of the elusive planet. $\epsilon$ Eridani b has a mass of $0.78^{+0.38}_{-0.12}$ $M_{Jup}$ and is orbiting $\epsilon$ Eridani at about $3.48\pm 0.02$ AU with a period of $7.37 \pm 0.07$ years. The eccentricity of $\epsilon$ Eridani b's orbit is $0.07^{+0.06}_{-0.05}$, an order of magnitude smaller than early estimates and consistent with a circular orbit. We discuss our findings from the standpoint of planet-disk interactions and prospects for future detection and characterization with the James Webb Space Telescope.<br />Comment: Accepted to AJ
- Subjects :
- dynamical evolution and stability [planets and satellites]
gaseous planets [planets and satellites]
ECCENTRICITY
010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences
Gas giant
[SDU.ASTR.EP]Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Astrophysics [astro-ph]/Earth and Planetary Astrophysics [astro-ph.EP]
CHAOTIC ZONE
FOS: Physical sciences
Astronomy & Astrophysics
DEBRIS DISK
planetary systems [stars]
01 natural sciences
COOL STARS
law.invention
INSTABILITIES
DWARFS
law
Planet
SEARCH
0103 physical sciences
Astrophysics::Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
010303 astronomy & astrophysics
Coronagraph
ComputingMilieux_MISCELLANEOUS
Astrophysics::Galaxy Astrophysics
0105 earth and related environmental sciences
Earth and Planetary Astrophysics (astro-ph.EP)
Orbital elements
Physics
planet-disk interactions
Debris disk
Science & Technology
high angular resolution [techniques]
Astronomy
radial velocities [techniques]
Astronomy and Astrophysics
PLANET FORMATION
Planetary system
Exoplanet
Radial velocity
13. Climate action
Space and Planetary Science
Physical Sciences
Astrophysics::Earth and Planetary Astrophysics
SPOCS
[PHYS.ASTR]Physics [physics]/Astrophysics [astro-ph]
NEARBY STARS
Astrophysics - Earth and Planetary Astrophysics
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00046256 and 15383881
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Astronomical Journal, Astronomical Journal, American Astronomical Society, 2019, 157 (1), pp.33. ⟨10.3847/1538-3881/aaef8a⟩, The Astronomical Journal, The Astronomical Journal, American Astronomical Society, 2019, 157 (1), pp.33. ⟨10.3847/1538-3881/aaef8a⟩
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....7b6055eae5228f6ab6411a028ed74cfc