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The XUV environments of exoplanets from Jupiter-size to super-Earth

Authors :
King, George W.
Wheatley, Peter J.
Salz, Michael
Bourrier, Vincent
Czesla, Stefan
Ehrenreich, David
Kirk, James
Etangs, Alain Lecavelier des
Louden, Tom
Schmitt, Jürgen
Schneider, P. Christian
Publication Year :
2018

Abstract

Planets that reside close-in to their host star are subject to intense high-energy irradiation. Extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) and X-ray radiation (together, XUV) is thought to drive mass loss from planets with volatile envelopes. We present $\textit{XMM-Newton}$ observations of six nearby stars hosting transiting planets in tight orbits (with orbital period, $P_\text{orb} < 10\,$d), wherein we characterise the XUV emission from the stars and subsequent irradiation levels at the planets. In order to reconstruct the unobservable EUV emission, we derive a new set of relations from Solar $\textit{TIMED/SEE}$ data that are applicable to the standard bands of the current generation of X-ray instruments. From our sample, WASP-80b and HD$\,$149026b experience the highest irradiation level, but HAT-P-11b is probably the best candidate for Ly$\,\alpha$ evaporation investigations because of the system's proximity to the Solar System. The four smallest planets have likely lost a greater percentage of their mass over their lives than their larger counterparts. We also detect the transit of WASP-80b in the near ultraviolet with the Optical Monitor on $\textit{XMM-Newton}$.<br />Comment: 17 pages, 14 figures, 8 tables; accepted for publication in MNRAS

Details

Database :
arXiv
Publication Type :
Report
Accession number :
edsarx.1804.11124
Document Type :
Working Paper
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/sty1110