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  • 1
    In: Astronomy & Astrophysics, EDP Sciences, Vol. 618 ( 2018-10), p. A125-
    Abstract: Context . η Car is one of the most intriguing luminous blue variables in the Galaxy. Observations and models of the X-ray, ultraviolet, optical, and infrared emission suggest a central binary in a highly eccentric orbit with a 5.54 yr period residing in its core. 2D and 3D radiative transfer and hydrodynamic simulations predict a primary with a dense and slow stellar wind that interacts with the faster and lower density wind of the secondary. The wind-wind collision scenario suggests that the secondary’s wind penetrates the primary’s wind creating a low-density cavity in it, with dense walls where the two winds interact. However, the morphology of the cavity and its physical properties are not yet fully constrained. Aims . We aim to trace the inner ∼5–50 au structure of η Car’s wind-wind interaction, as seen through Br γ and, for the first time, through the He  I 2s-2p line. Methods . We have used spectro-interferometric observations with the K -band beam-combiner GRAVITY at the VLTI. The analyses of the data include (i) parametrical model-fitting to the interferometric observables, (ii) a CMFGEN model of the source’s spectrum, and (iii) interferometric image reconstruction. Results . Our geometrical modeling of the continuum data allows us to estimate its FWHM angular size close to 2 mas and an elongation ratio ϵ = 1.06 ± 0.05 over a PA = 130° ± 20°. Our CMFGEN modeling of the spectrum helped us to confirm that the role of the secondary should be taken into account to properly reproduce the observed Br γ and He  I lines. Chromatic images across the Br γ line reveal a southeast arc-like feature, possibly associated to the hot post-shocked winds flowing along the cavity wall. The images of the He  I 2s-2p line served to constrain the 20 mas (∼50 au) structure of the line-emitting region. The observed morphology of He  I suggests that the secondary is responsible for the ionized material that produces the line profile. Both the Br γ and the He  I 2s-2p maps are consistent with previous hydrodynamical models of the colliding wind scenario. Future dedicated simulations together with an extensive interferometric campaign are necessary to refine our constraints on the wind and stellar parameters of the binary, which finally will help us predict the evolutionary path of η Car.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 0004-6361 , 1432-0746
    RVK:
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    Language: English
    Publisher: EDP Sciences
    Publication Date: 2018
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 1458466-9
    SSG: 16,12
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  • 2
    In: Astronomy & Astrophysics, EDP Sciences, Vol. 602 ( 2017-6), p. A94-
    Abstract: GRAVITY is a new instrument to coherently combine the light of the European Southern Observatory Very Large Telescope Interferometer to form a telescope with an equivalent 130 m diameter angular resolution and a collecting area of 200 m 2 . The instrument comprises fiber fed integrated optics beam combination, high resolution spectroscopy, built-in beam analysis and control, near-infrared wavefront sensing, phase-tracking, dual-beam operation, and laser metrology. GRAVITY opens up to optical/infrared interferometry the techniques of phase referenced imaging and narrow angle astrometry, in many aspects following the concepts of radio interferometry. This article gives an overview of GRAVITY and reports on the performance and the first astronomical observations during commissioning in 2015/16. We demonstrate phase-tracking on stars as faint as m K ≈ 10 mag, phase-referenced interferometry of objects fainter than m K ≈ 15 mag with a limiting magnitude of m K ≈ 17 mag, minute long coherent integrations, a visibility accuracy of better than 0.25%, and spectro-differential phase and closure phase accuracy better than 0.5°, corresponding to a differential astrometric precision of better than ten microarcseconds ( μ as). The dual-beam astrometry, measuring the phase difference of two objects with laser metrology, is still under commissioning. First observations show residuals as low as 50 μ as when following objects over several months. We illustrate the instrument performance with the observations of archetypical objects for the different instrument modes. Examples include the  Galactic center supermassive black hole and its fast orbiting star S2 for phase referenced dual-beam observations and infrared wavefront sensing, the high mass X-ray binary BP Cru and the active galactic nucleus of PDS 456 for a few μ as spectro-differential astrometry, the T Tauri star S CrA for a spectro-differential visibility analysis, ξ  Tel and 24 Cap for high accuracy visibility observations, and η Car for interferometric imaging with GRAVITY.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 0004-6361 , 1432-0746
    RVK:
    RVK:
    Language: English
    Publisher: EDP Sciences
    Publication Date: 2017
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 1458466-9
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  • 3
    In: Astronomy & Astrophysics, EDP Sciences, Vol. 633 ( 2020-1), p. A110-
    Abstract: Context. β Pictoris is arguably one of the most studied stellar systems outside of our own. Some 30 yr of observations have revealed a highly-structured circumstellar disk, with rings, belts, and a giant planet: β Pictoris b. However very little is known about how this system came into being. Aims. Our objective is to estimate the C/O ratio in the atmosphere of β Pictoris b and obtain an estimate of the dynamical mass of the planet, as well as to refine its orbital parameters using high-precision astrometry. Methods. We used the GRAVITY instrument with the four 8.2 m telescopes of the Very Large Telescope Interferometer to obtain K -band spectro-interferometric data on β Pic b. We extracted a medium resolution ( R = 500) K -band spectrum of the planet and a high-precision astrometric position. We estimated the planetary C/O ratio using two different approaches (forward modeling and free retrieval) from two different codes (ExoREM and petitRADTRANS, respectively). Finally, we used a simplified model of two formation scenarios (gravitational collapse and core-accretion) to determine which can best explain the measured C/O ratio. Results. Our new astrometry disfavors a circular orbit for β Pic b ( e = 0.15 −0.04 +0.05 ). Combined with previous results and with H IPPARCOS / Gaia measurements, this astrometry points to a planet mass of M = 12.7 ± 2.2 M Jup . This value is compatible with the mass derived with the free-retrieval code petitRADTRANS using spectral data only. The forward modeling and free-retrieval approches yield very similar results regarding the atmosphere of β Pic b. In particular, the C/O ratios derived with the two codes are identical (0.43 ± 0.05 vs. 0.43 −0.03 +0.04 ). We argue that if the stellar C/O in β Pic is Solar, then this combination of a very high mass and a low C/O ratio for the planet suggests a formation through core-accretion, with strong planetesimal enrichment.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 0004-6361 , 1432-0746
    RVK:
    RVK:
    Language: English
    Publisher: EDP Sciences
    Publication Date: 2020
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 1458466-9
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  • 4
    In: Astronomy & Astrophysics, EDP Sciences, Vol. 642 ( 2020-10), p. A162-
    Abstract: Context. Studies of the dust distribution, composition, and evolution of protoplanetary disks provide clues for understanding planet formation. However, little is known about the innermost regions of disks where telluric planets are expected to form. Aims. We aim constrain the geometry of the inner disk of the T Tauri star RY Lup by combining spectro-photometric data and interferometric observations in the near-infrared (NIR) collected at the Very Large Telescope Interferometer. We use PIONIER data from the ESO archive and GRAVITY data that were obtained in June 2017 with the four 8m telescopes. Methods. We use a parametric disk model and the 3D radiative transfer code MCFOST to reproduce the spectral energy distribution (SED) and match the interferometric observations. MCFOST produces synthetic SEDs and intensity maps at different wavelengths from which we compute the modeled interferometric visibilities and closure phases through Fourier transform. Results. To match the SED from the blue to the millimetric range, our model requires a stellar luminosity of 2.5 L ⊙ , higher than any previously determined values. Such a high value is needed to accommodate the circumstellar extinction caused by the highly inclined disk, which has been neglected in previous studies. While using an effective temperature of 4800 K determined through high-resolution spectroscopy, we derive a stellar radius of 2.29 R ⊙ . These revised fundamental parameters, when combined with the mass estimates available (in the range 1.3–1.5 M ⊙ ), lead to an age of 0.5–2.0 Ma for RY Lup, in better agreement with the age of the Lupus association than previous determinations. Our disk model (that has a transition disk geometry) nicely reproduces the interferometric GRAVITY data and is in good agreement with the PIONIER ones. We derive an inner rim location at 0.12 au from the central star. This model corresponds to an inclination of the inner disk of 50°, which is in mild tension with previous determinations of a more inclined outer disk from SPHERE (70° in NIR) and ALMA (67 ± 5°) images, but consistent with the inclination determination from the ALMA CO spectra (55 ± 5°). Increasing the inclination of the inner disk to 70° leads to a higher line-of-sight extinction and therefore requires a higher stellar luminosity of 4.65 L ⊙ to match the observed flux levels. This luminosity would translate to a stellar radius of 3.13 R ⊙ , leading to an age of 2–3 Ma, and a stellarmass of about 2 M ⊙ , in disagreement with the observed dynamical mass estimate of 1.3–1.5 M ⊙ . Critically, this high-inclination inner disk model also fails to reproduce the visibilities observed with GRAVITY. Conclusions. The inner dust disk, as traced by the GRAVITY data, is located at a radius in agreement with the dust sublimation radius. An ambiguity remains regarding the respective orientations of the inner and outer disk, coplanar and mildly misaligned, respectively.As our datasets are not contemporary and the star is strongly variable, a deeper investigation will require a dedicated multi-technique observing campaign.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 0004-6361 , 1432-0746
    RVK:
    RVK:
    Language: English
    Publisher: EDP Sciences
    Publication Date: 2020
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 1458466-9
    SSG: 16,12
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  • 5
    In: Astronomy & Astrophysics, EDP Sciences, Vol. 623 ( 2019-03), p. L11-
    Abstract: Aims . To date, infrared interferometry at best achieved contrast ratios of a few times 10 −4 on bright targets. GRAVITY, with its dual-field mode, is now capable of high contrast observations, enabling the direct observation of exoplanets. We demonstrate the technique on HR 8799, a young planetary system composed of four known giant exoplanets. Methods . We used the GRAVITY fringe tracker to lock the fringes on the central star, and integrated off-axis on the HR 8799 e planet situated at 390 mas from the star. Data reduction included post-processing to remove the flux leaking from the central star and to extract the coherent flux of the planet. The inferred K band spectrum of the planet has a spectral resolution of 500. We also derive the astrometric position of the planet relative to the star with a precision on the order of 100  μ as. Results . The GRAVITY astrometric measurement disfavors perfectly coplanar stable orbital solutions. A small adjustment of a few degrees to the orbital inclination of HR 8799 e can resolve the tension, implying that the orbits are close to, but not strictly coplanar. The spectrum, with a signal-to-noise ratio of ≈5 per spectral channel, is compatible with a late-type L brown dwarf. Using Exo-REM synthetic spectra, we derive a temperature of 1150 ± 50 K and a surface gravity of 10 4.3 ± 0.3  cm s 2 . This corresponds to a radius of 1.17 −0.11 +0.13 R Jup and a mass of 10 −4 +7 M Jup , which is an independent confirmation of mass estimates from evolutionary models. Our results demonstrate the power of interferometry for the direct detection and spectroscopic study of exoplanets at close angular separations from their stars.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 0004-6361 , 1432-0746
    RVK:
    RVK:
    Language: English
    Publisher: EDP Sciences
    Publication Date: 2019
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 1458466-9
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  • 6
    In: The Astronomical Journal, American Astronomical Society, Vol. 161, No. 3 ( 2021-03-01), p. 148-
    Abstract: We present K -band interferometric observations of the PDS 70 protoplanets along with their host star using VLTI/GRAVITY. We obtained K -band spectra and 100 μ as precision astrometry of both PDS 70 b and c in two epochs, as well as spatially resolving the hot inner disk around the star. Rejecting unstable orbits, we found a nonzero eccentricity for PDS 70 b of 0.17 ± 0.06, a near-circular orbit for PDS 70 c, and an orbital configuration that is consistent with the planets migrating into a 2:1 mean motion resonance. Enforcing dynamical stability, we obtained a 95% upper limit on the mass of PDS 70 b of 10 M Jup , while the mass of PDS 70 c was unconstrained. The GRAVITY K -band spectra rules out pure blackbody models for the photospheres of both planets. Instead, the models with the most support from the data are planetary atmospheres that are dusty, but the nature of the dust is unclear. Any circumplanetary dust around these planets is not well constrained by the planets’ 1–5 μ m spectral energy distributions (SEDs) and requires longer wavelength data to probe with SED analysis. However with VLTI/GRAVITY, we made the first observations of a circumplanetary environment with sub-astronomical-unit spatial resolution, placing an upper limit of 0.3 au on the size of a bright disk around PDS 70 b.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 0004-6256 , 1538-3881
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    Language: Unknown
    Publisher: American Astronomical Society
    Publication Date: 2021
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2207625-6
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2003104-X
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  • 7
    In: Astronomy & Astrophysics, EDP Sciences, Vol. 632 ( 2019-12), p. A53-
    Abstract: Context. The formation and the evolution of protoplanetary disks are important stages in the lifetime of stars. Terrestrial planets form or migrate within the innermost regions of these protoplanetary disks and so, the processes of disk evolution and planet formation are intrinsically linked. Studies of the dust distribution, composition, and evolution of these regions are crucial to understanding planet formation. Aims. We built a homogeneous observational dataset of Herbig Ae/Be disks with the aim of spatially resolving the sub au-scale region to gain a statistical understanding of their morphological and compositional properties, in addition to looking for correlations with stellar parameters, such as luminosity, mass, and age. Methods. We observed 27 Herbig Ae/Be stars with the GRAVITY instrument installed at the combined focus of the Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI) and operating in the near-infrared K -band, focused on the K -band thermal continuum, which corresponds to stellar flux reprocessed by the dust grains. Our sample covers a large range of effective temperatures, luminosities, masses, and ages for the intermediate-mass star population. The circumstellar disks in our sample also cover a range of various properties in terms of reprocessed flux, flared or flat morphology, and gaps. We developed semi-physical geometrical models to fit our interferometric data. Results. Our best-fit models correspond to smooth and wide rings that support previous findings in the H -band, implying that wedge-shaped rims at the dust sublimation edge are favored. The measured closure phases are generally non-null with a median value of ~10°, indicating spatial asymmetries of the intensity distributions. Multi-size grain populations could explain the closure phase ranges below 20–25° but other scenarios should be invoked to explain the largest ones. Our measurements extend the Radius-Luminosity relation to ~10 4 L ⊙ luminosity values and confirm the significant spread around the mean relation observed by PIONIER in the H -band. Gapped sources exhibit a large N -to- K band size ratio and large values of this ratio are only observed for the members of our sample that would be older than 1 Ma, less massive, and with lower luminosity. In the mass range of 2 M ⊙ , we do observe a correlation in the increase of the relative age with the transition from group II to group I, and an increase of the N -to- K size ratio. However, the size of the current sample does not yet permit us to invoke a clear, universal evolution mechanism across the Herbig Ae/Be mass range. The measured locations of the K -band emission in our sample suggest that these disks might be structured by forming young planets, rather than by depletion due to EUV, FUV, and X-ray photo-evaporation.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 0004-6361 , 1432-0746
    RVK:
    RVK:
    Language: English
    Publisher: EDP Sciences
    Publication Date: 2019
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 1458466-9
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  • 8
    In: Astronomy & Astrophysics, EDP Sciences, Vol. 615 ( 2018-07), p. L15-
    Abstract: The highly elliptical, 16-year-period orbit of the star S2 around the massive black hole candidate Sgr A ✻ is a sensitive probe of the gravitational field in the Galactic centre. Near pericentre at 120 AU ≈ 1400 Schwarzschild radii, the star has an orbital speed of ≈7650 km s −1 , such that the first-order effects of Special and General Relativity have now become detectable with current capabilities. Over the past 26 years, we have monitored the radial velocity and motion on the sky of S2, mainly with the SINFONI and NACO adaptive optics instruments on the ESO Very Large Telescope, and since 2016 and leading up to the pericentre approach in May 2018, with the four-telescope interferometric beam-combiner instrument GRAVITY. From data up to and including pericentre, we robustly detect the combined gravitational redshift and relativistic transverse Doppler effect for S2 of z = Δ λ / λ ≈ 200 km s −1 / c with different statistical analysis methods. When parameterising the post-Newtonian contribution from these effects by a factor f , with f = 0 and f = 1 corresponding to the Newtonian and general relativistic limits, respectively, we find from posterior fitting with different weighting schemes f = 0.90 ± 0.09| stat ± 0.15| sys . The S2 data are inconsistent with pure Newtonian dynamics.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 0004-6361 , 1432-0746
    RVK:
    RVK:
    Language: English
    Publisher: EDP Sciences
    Publication Date: 2018
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 1458466-9
    SSG: 16,12
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  • 9
    In: Astronomy & Astrophysics, EDP Sciences, Vol. 635 ( 2020-03), p. L12-
    Abstract: Context. The inner regions of the discs of high-mass young stellar objects (HMYSOs) are still poorly known due to the small angular scales and the high visual extinction involved. Aims. We deploy near-infrared spectro-interferometry to probe the inner gaseous disc in HMYSOs and investigate the origin and physical characteristics of the CO bandhead emission (2.3–2.4 μ m). Methods. We present the first GRAVITY/VLTI observations at high spectral (ℛ = 4000) and spatial (mas) resolution of the CO overtone transitions in NGC 2024 IRS 2 . Results. The continuum emission is resolved in all baselines and is slightly asymmetric, displaying small closure phases (≤8°). Our best ellipsoid model provides a disc inclination of 34° ±1°, a disc major axis position angle (PA) of 166° ± 1°, and a disc diameter of 3.99 ± 0.09 mas (or 1.69  ±  0.04 au, at a distance of 423 pc). The small closure phase signals in the continuum are modelled with a skewed rim, originating from a pure inclination effect. For the first time, our observations spatially and spectrally resolve the first four CO bandheads. Changes in visibility, as well as differential and closure phases across the bandheads are detected. Both the size and geometry of the CO-emitting region are determined by fitting a bidimensional Gaussian to the continuum-compensated CO bandhead visibilities. The CO-emitting region has a diameter of 2.74± 0.07 0.08 mas (1.16  ±  0.03 au), and is located in the inner gaseous disc, well within the dusty rim, with inclination and PA matching the dusty disc geometry, which indicates that both dusty and gaseous discs are coplanar. Physical and dynamical gas conditions are inferred by modelling the CO spectrum. Finally, we derive a direct measurement of the stellar mass of M * ∼ 14.7 −3.6 +2 M ⊙ by combining our interferometric and spectral modelling results.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 0004-6361 , 1432-0746
    RVK:
    RVK:
    Language: English
    Publisher: EDP Sciences
    Publication Date: 2020
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 1458466-9
    SSG: 16,12
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  • 10
    In: Astronomy & Astrophysics, EDP Sciences, Vol. 642 ( 2020-10), p. A18-
    Abstract: Context. The nearby and young β Pictoris system hosts a well resolved disk, a directly imaged massive giant planet orbiting at ≃9 au, as well as an inner planet orbiting at ≃2.7 au, which was recently detected through radial velocity (RV). As such, it offers several unique opportunities for detailed studies of planetary system formation and early evolution. Aims. We aim to further constrain the orbital and physical properties of β Pictoris b and c using a combination of high contrast imaging, long base-line interferometry, and RV data. We also predict the closest approaches or the transit times of both planets, and we constrain the presence of additional planets in the system. Methods. We obtained six additional epochs of SPHERE data, six additional epochs of GRAVITY data, and five additional epochs of RV data. We combined these various types of data in a single Markov-chain Monte Carlo analysis to constrain the orbital parameters and masses of the two planets simultaneously. The analysis takes into account the gravitational influence of both planets on the star and hence their relative astrometry. Secondly, we used the RV and high contrast imaging data to derive the probabilities of presence of additional planets throughout the disk, and we tested the impact of absolute astrometry. Results. The orbital properties of both planets are constrained with a semi-major axis of 9.8 ± 0.4 au and 2.7 ± 0.02 au for b and c, respectively, and eccentricities of 0.09 ± 0.1 and 0.27 ± 0.07, assuming the H IPPARCOS distance. We note that despite these low fitting error bars, the eccentricity of β Pictoris c might still be over-estimated. If no prior is provided on the mass of β Pictoris b, we obtain a very low value that is inconsistent with what is derived from brightness-mass models. When we set an evolutionary model motivated prior to the mass of β Pictoris b, we find a solution in the 10–11 M Jup range. Conversely, β Pictoris c’s mass is well constrained, at 7.8 ± 0.4 M Jup , assuming both planets are on coplanar orbits. These values depend on the assumptions on the distance of the β Pictoris system. The absolute astrometry H IPPARCOS - Gaia data are consistent with the solutions presented here at the 2 σ level, but these solutions are fully driven by the relative astrometry plus RV data. Finally, we derive unprecedented limits on the presence of additional planets in the disk. We can now exclude the presence of planets that are more massive than about 2.5 M Jup closer than 3 au, and more massive than 3.5 M Jup between 3 and 7.5 au. Beyond 7.5 au, we exclude the presence of planets that are more massive than 1–2 M Jup . Conclusions. Combining relative astrometry and RVs allows one to precisely constrain the orbital parameters of both planets and to give lower limits to potential additional planets throughout the disk. The mass of β Pictoris c is also well constrained, while additional RV data with appropriate observing strategies are required to properly constrain the mass of β Pictoris b.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 0004-6361 , 1432-0746
    RVK:
    RVK:
    Language: English
    Publisher: EDP Sciences
    Publication Date: 2020
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 1458466-9
    SSG: 16,12
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