Exoplanets and Stellar Physics

Observations of the eclipsing binary system V471 Tau show that the time of the primary eclipses varies in an apparent periodic way. With growing evidence that the magnetically active K2 dwarf component might be responsible for driving the eclipse timing variations (ETVs), it is necessary to monitor the star throughout the predicted ~35 yr activity cycle that putatively fuels the observed ETVs. We contribute to this goal with this paper by analysing spectropolarimetric data obtained with ESPaDOnS at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope in 2014 December and 2015 January. Using Zeeman-Doppler Imaging, we reconstruct the distribution of brightness inhomogeneities and large-scale magnetic field at the surface of the K2 dwarf. Compared to previous tomographic reconstructions of the star carried out with the same code, we probe a new phase of the ETVs cycle, offering new constraints for future works exploring whether a magnetic mechanism operating in the K2 dwarf star is indeed able to induce the observed ETVs of V471 Tau.

We present a spectroscopic analysis of a 1-yr intensive monitoring campaign of the 22-Myr old planet-hosting M dwarf AU Mic using the HARPS spectrograph. In a companion paper, we reported detections of the planet radial velocity (RV) signatures of the two close-in transiting planets of the system, with respective semi-amplitudes of 5.8 ± 2.5 and 8.5 ± 2.5 m s-1 for AU Mic b and AU Mic c. Here, we perform an independent measurement of the RV semi-amplitude of AU Mic c using Doppler imaging to simultaneously model the activity-induced distortions and the planet-induced shifts in the line profiles. The resulting semi-amplitude of 13.3 ± 4.1 m s-1 for AU Mic c reinforces the idea that the planet features a surprisingly large inner density, in tension with current standard models of core accretion. Our brightness maps feature significantly higher spot coverage and lower level of differential rotation than the brightness maps obtained in late 2019 with the SPIRou spectropolarimeter, suggesting that the stellar magnetic activity has evolved dramatically over a ~1-yr time span. Additionally, we report a 3σ detection of a modulation at 8.33 ± 0.04 d of the He I D3 (5875.62 Å) emission flux, close to the 8.46-d orbital period of AU Mic b. The power of this emission (a few 1017 W) is consistent with 3D magnetohydrodynamical simulations of the interaction between stellar wind and the close-in planet if the latter hosts a magnetic field of ~10 G. Spectropolarimetric observations of the star are needed to firmly elucidate the origin of the observed chromospheric variability.

The system of two transiting Neptune-sized planets around the bright, young M-dwarf AU Mic provides a unique opportunity to test models of planet formation, early evolution, and star-planet interaction. However, the intense magnetic activity of the host star makes measuring the masses of the planets via the radial velocity (RV) method very challenging. We report on a 1-yr, intensive monitoring campaign of the system using 91 observations with the HARPS spectrograph, allowing for detailed modelling of the ~600 ms−1 peak-to-peak activity-induced RV variations. We used a multidimensional Gaussian Process framework to model these and the planetary signals simultaneously. We detect the latter with semi-amplitudes of Kb = 5.8 ± 2.5 ms−1 and Kc = 8.5 ± 2.5 ms−1, respectively. The resulting mass estimates, Mb = 11.7 ± 5.0 M⊕ and Mc = 22.2 ± 6.7 M⊕, suggest that planet b might be less dense, and planet c considerably denser than previously thought. These results are in tension with the current standard models of core-accretion. They suggest that both planets accreted a H/He envelope that is smaller than expected, and the trend between the two planets' envelope fractions is the opposite of what is predicted by theory.