We present new 1-1.25 µm (z and J band) Subaru/IRCS and 2 µm (K band) VLT/NaCo data for HR 8799 and a rereduction of the 3-5 µm MMT/Clio data first presented by Hinz et al. (2010). Our VLT/NaCo data yields a detection of a fourth planet at a projected separation of ∼ 15 AU -"HR 8799e". We also report new, albeit weak detections of HR 8799b at 1.03 µm and 3.3 µm. Empirical comparisons to field brown dwarfs show that at least HR 8799b and HR8799c, and possibly HR 8799d, have near-to-mid IR colors/magnitudes significantly discrepant from the L/T dwarf sequence. Standard cloud deck atmosphere models appropriate for brown dwarfs provide only (marginally) statistically meaningful fits to HR 8799b and c for unphysically small radii. Models with thicker cloud layers not present in brown dwarfs reproduce the planets' SEDs far more accurately and without the need for rescaling the planets' radii. Our preliminary modeling suggests that HR 8799b has log(g) = 4-4.5, T ef f = 900K, while HR 8799c, d, and (by inference) e have log(g) = 4-4.5, T ef f = 1000-1200K. Combining results from planet evolution models and new dynamical stability limits implies that the masses of HR 8799b, c, d, and e are 6-7 M J , 7-10 M J , 7-10 M J and 7-10 M J . "Patchy" cloud prescriptions may provide even better fits to the data and may lower the estimated surface gravities and masses. Finally, contrary to some recent claims, forming the HR 8799 planets by core accretion is still plausible, although such systems are likely rare.
We present Subaru/IRCS J band data for Fomalhaut and a (re)reduction of archival [2004][2005][2006] HST/ACS data first presented by Kalas et al. (2008). We confirm the existence of a candidate exoplanet, Fomalhaut b, in both the 2004 and 2006 F606W data sets at a high signal-to-noise. Additionally, we confirm the detection at F814W and present a new detection in F435W. Fomalhaut b's space motion may be consistent with it being in an apsidally-aligned, non debris ring-crossing orbit, although new astrometry is required for firmer conclusions. We cannot confirm that Fomalhaut b exhibits 0.7-0.8 mag variability cited as evidence for planet accretion or a semi-transient dust cloud. The new, combined optical SED and IR upper limits confirm that emission identifying Fomalhaut b originates from starlight scattered by small dust, but this dust is most likely associated with a massive body. The Subaru and IRAC/4.5 µm upper limits imply M < 2 M J , still consistent with the range of Fomalhaut b masses needed to sculpt the disk. Fomalhaut b is very plausibly "a planet identified from direct imaging" even if current images of it do not, strictly speaking, show thermal emission from a directly imaged planet.
We present a near-infrared image of the Herbig Ae star AB Aur obtained with the Coronagraphic Imager with Adaptive Optics mounted on the Subaru Telescope. The image shows a circumstellar emission extending out to a radius of AU, with a double spiral structure detected at AU. The surface brightness r p 580 r p 200-450 decreases as , steeper than the radial profile of the optical emission possibly affected by the scattered Ϫ3.01.0ע r light from the envelope surrounding AB Aur. This result, together with the size of the infrared emission similar to that of the 13 CO ( ) disk, suggests that the spiral structure is indeed associated with the circumstellar J p 1-0 disk but is not part of the extended envelope. We identified four major spiral arms, which are trailing if the brighter southeastern part of the disk is the near side. The weak gravitational instability, maintained for millions of years by continuous mass supply from the envelope, might explain the presence of the spiral structure at the relatively late phase of the pre-main-sequence period.
Recent detection of gravitational waves from a neutron star (NS) merger event GW170817 and identification of an electromagnetic counterpart provide a unique opportunity to study the physical processes in NS mergers. To derive properties of ejected material from the NS merger, we perform radiative transfer simulations of kilonova, optical and near-infrared emissions powered by radioactive decays of r-process nuclei synthesized in the merger. We find that the observed near-infrared emission lasting for > 10 days is explained by 0.03 M ⊙ of ejecta containing lanthanide elements. However, the blue optical component observed at the initial phases requires an ejecta component with a relatively high electron fraction (Y e ). We show that both optical and near-infrared emissions are simultaneously reproduced by the ejecta with a medium Y e of ∼ 0.25. We suggest that a dominant component powering the emission is post-merger ejecta, which exhibits that mass ejection after the first dynamical ejection is quite efficient. Our results indicate that NS mergers synthesize a wide range of r-process elements and strengthen the hypothesis that NS mergers are the origin of r-process elements in the Universe.
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