Robo-AO Kepler Planetary Candidate Survey III: Adaptive Optics Imaging of 1629 Kepler Exoplanet Candidate Host Stars

Robo-AO Kepler Planetary Candidate Survey III: Adaptive Optics Imaging of 1629 Kepler Exoplanet Candidate Host Stars

Authors:

Ziegler et al

Abstract:

The Robo-AO \textit{Kepler} Planetary Candidate Survey is observing every \textit{Kepler} planet candidate host star with laser adaptive optics imaging to search for blended nearby stars, which may be physically associated companions and/or responsible for transit false positives. We present in this paper the results of our search for stars nearby 1629 \textit{Kepler} planet candidate hosts. With survey sensitivity to objects as close as ∼0.15" and magnitude differences Δm≤6, we find 223 stars in the vicinity of 206 target KOIs; 209 of these nearby stars have not previously been imaged in high resolution. We measure an overall nearby-star probability for \textit{Kepler} planet candidates of 12.6\%±0.9\% out to a separation of 4.0". Particularly interesting KOI systems are discussed, including 23 stars with detected companions which host rocky, habitable zone candidates, and five new candidate planet-hosting quadruple star systems. We explore the broad correlations between planetary systems and stellar binarity using the combined dataset of \citet{baranec16} and this paper. Our previous 2σ result of a low binary fraction of KOIs hosting close-in giant planets is less apparent in this larger dataset. We also find a significant correlation between binary fraction and KOI number, suggesting possible variation between early and late \textit{Kepler} data releases.

KIC 7177553: a Quadruple System of two Close Binaries With a Superjupiter

KIC 7177553: a quadruple system of two close binaries

Authors:

Lehmann et al

Abstract:

KIC 7177553 was observed by the Kepler satellite to be an eclipsing eccentric binary star system with an 18-day orbital period. Recently, an eclipse timing study of the Kepler binaries has revealed eclipse timing variations in this object with an amplitude of about 100 sec, and an outer period of 529 days. The implied mass of the third body is that of a superJupiter, but below the mass of a brown dwarf. We therefore embarked on a radial velocity study of this binary to determine its system configuration and to check the hypothesis that it hosts a giant planet. From the radial velocity measurements, it became immediately obvious that the same Kepler target contains another eccentric binary, this one with a 16.5-day orbital period. Direct imaging using adaptive optics reveals that the two binaries are separated by 0.4 arcsec (about 167 AU), and have nearly the same magnitude (to within 2%). The close angular proximity of the two binaries, and very similar Gamma velocities, strongly suggest that KIC 7177553 is one of the rare SB4 systems consisting of two eccentric binaries where at least one system is eclipsing. Both systems consist of slowly rotating, non-evolved, solar-like stars of comparable masses. From the orbital separation and the small difference in Gamma velocity, we infer that the period of the outer orbit most likely lies in the range 1000 to 3000 years. New images taken over the next few years, as well as the high-precision astrometry of the Gaia satellite mission, will allow us to set much narrower constraints on the system geometry. Finally, we note that the observed eclipse timing variations in the Kepler data cannot be produced by the second binary. Further spectroscopic observations on a longer time scale will be required to prove the existence of the massive planet.

2M0441+2301 AabBab: a VERY Complicated System

Near-Infrared Spectroscopy of 2M0441+2301 AabBab: A Quadruple System Spanning the Stellar to Planetary Mass Regimes

Authors:

Bowler et al

Abstract:

We present Keck/NIRC2 and OSIRIS near-infrared imaging and spectroscopy of 2M0441+2301 AabBab, a young (1--3 Myr) hierarchical quadruple system comprising a low-mass star, two brown dwarfs, and a planetary-mass companion in Taurus. All four components show spectroscopic signs of low surface gravity, and both 2M0441+2301 Aa and Ab possess Paβ emission indicating they each harbor accretion subdisks. Astrometry spanning 2008--2014 reveals orbital motion in both the Aab (0.23" separation) and Bab (0.095" separation) pairs, although the implied orbital periods of >300 years means dynamical masses will not be possible in the near future. The faintest component (2M0441+2301 Bb) has an angular H-band shape, strong molecular absorption (VO, CO, H2O, and FeH), and shallow alkali lines, confirming its young age, late spectral type (L1 ± 1), and low temperature (≈1800~K). With individual masses of 200+100−50 Mjup, 35 ± 5 Mjup, 19 ± 3 Mjup, and 9.8 ± 1.8 Mjup, 2M0441+2301 AabBab is the lowest-mass quadruple system known. Its hierarchical orbital architecture and mass ratios imply that it formed from the collapse and fragmentation of a molecular cloud core, demonstrating that planetary-mass companions can originate from a stellar-like pathway analogous to higher-mass quadruple star systems. More generally, cloud fragmentation may be an important formation pathway for the massive exoplanets that are now regularly being imaged on wide orbits.