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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

THE DISSIMILAR CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF THE PLANET-HOSTING STARS OF THE XO-2 BINARY SYSTEM

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Author(s):
Ramirez, I. [1, 2] ; Khanal, S. [1, 2] ; Aleo, P. [1, 2] ; Sobotka, A. [1, 2] ; Liu, F. [3] ; Casagrande, L. [3] ; Melendez, J. [4] ; Yong, D. [3] ; Lambert, D. L. [1, 2] ; Asplund, M. [3]
Total Authors: 10
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Texas Austin, Dept Astron, Austin, TX 78712 - USA
[2] Univ Texas Austin, McDonald Observ, Austin, TX 78712 - USA
[3] Australian Natl Univ, Res Sch Astron & Astrophys, Mt Stromlo Observ, Weston, ACT 2611 - Australia
[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Astron IAG USP, BR-05508900 Sao Paulo - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 4
Document type: Journal article
Source: ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL; v. 808, n. 1 JUL 20 2015.
Web of Science Citations: 32
Abstract

Using high-quality spectra of the twin stars in the XO-2 binary system, we have detected significant differences in the chemical composition of their photospheres. The differences correlate strongly with the elements' dust condensation temperature. In XO-2N, volatiles are enhanced by about 0.015 dex and refractories are overabundant by up to 0.090 dex. On average, our error bar in relative abundance is 0.012 dex. We present an early metal-depletion scenario in which the formation of the gas giant planets known to exist around these stars are responsible for a 0.015 dex offset in the abundances of all elements while 20 M-circle plus of non-detected rocky objects that formed around XO-2S explain the additional refractory-element difference. An alternative explanation involves the late accretion of at least 20 M-circle plus of planet-like material by XO-2N, allegedly as a result of the migration of the hot Jupiter detected around that star. Dust cleansing by a nearby hot star as well as age or Galactic birthplace effects can be ruled out as valid explanations for this phenomenon. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 12/24392-2 - High precision spectroscopy: impact in the study of planets, stars, the galaxy and cosmology
Grantee:Jorge Luis Melendez Moreno
Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants