A possible misaligned orbit for the young planet AU Mic c

Journal Article · 26 November 2024 · Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stae2655 · OSTI ID:2483372

Yu, H. ; Garai, Z. ; Cretignier, M. ; Szabó, Gy M. ; Aigrain, S. ; Gandolfi, D. ; Bryant, E. M. ; Correia, A. C. M. ; Klein, B. ; Brandeker, A. ; Owen, J. E. ; Günther, M. N. ; Winn, J. N. ; Heitzmann, A. ; Cegla, H. M. ; Wilson, T. G. ; Gill, S. ; Kriskovics, L.; Barragán, O. ; Boldog, A. ; Nielsen, L. D. ; Billot, N. ; Lafarga, M. ; Meech, A. ; Alibert, Y. ; Alonso, R. ; Bárczy, T. ; Barrado, D. ; Barros, S. C. C. ; Baumjohann, W. ; Bayliss, D. ; Benz, W. ; Bergomi, M. ; Borsato, L. ; Broeg, C. ; Cameron, A. Collier ; Csizmadia, Sz ; Cubillos, P. E.; Davies, M. B. ; Deleuil, M. ; Deline, A.; Demangeon, O. D. S. ; Demory, B. -O ; Derekas, A.; Doyle, L.; Edwards, B.; Egger, J. A. ; Ehrenreich, D. ; Erikson, A.; Fortier, A. ; Fossati, L. ; Fridlund, M. ; Gazeas, K. ; Gillon, M. ; Güdel, M.; Helling, Ch; Isaak, K. G. ; Kiss, L. L.; Korth, J. ; Lam, K. W. F. ; Laskar, J. ; Lecavelier des Etangs, A. ; Lendl, M. ; Magrin, D. ; Maxted, P. F. L. ; McCormac, J. ; Merín, B. ; Mordasini, C.; Nascimbeni, V. ; O’Brien, S. M. ; Olofsson, G. ; Ottensamer, R.; Pagano, I. ; Pallé, E. ; Peter, G. ; Piazza, D.; Piotto, G. ; Pollacco, D.; Queloz, D. ; Ragazzoni, R. ; Rando, N.; Rauer, H. ; Ribas, I. ; Santos, N. C. ; Scandariato, G. ; Ségransan, D. ; Simon, A. E. ; Smith, A. M. S. ; Sousa, S. G. ; Southworth, R.; Stalport, M.; Steinberger, M.; Sulis, S. ; Udry, S. ; Ulmer, B.; Ulmer-Moll, S. ; Van Grootel, V. ; Venturini, J. ; Villaver, E.; Walton, N. A. ; Wheatley, P. J.

ABSTRACT The AU Microscopii planetary system is only 24 Myr old, and its geometry may provide clues about the early dynamical history of planetary systems. Here, we present the first measurement of the Rossiter–McLaughlin effect for the warm sub-Neptune AU Mic c, using two transits observed simultaneously with the European Southern Observatory's (ESO's) Very Large Telescope (VLT)/Echelle SPectrograph for Rocky Exoplanets and Stable Spectroscopic Observations (ESPRESSO), CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite (CHEOPS), and Next-Generation Transit Survey (NGTS). After correcting for flares and for the magnetic activity of the host star, and accounting for transit-timing variations, we find the sky-projected spin–orbit angle of planet c to be in the range $$\lambda _{\mathrm{c}}=67.8_{-49.0}^{+31.7}$$ degrees (1$$\sigma$$). We examine the possibility that planet c is misaligned with respect to the orbit of the inner planet b ($$\lambda _{\mathrm{b}}=-2.96_{-10.30}^{+10.44}$$), and the equatorial plane of the host star, and discuss scenarios that could explain both this and the planet’s high density, including secular interactions with other bodies in the system or a giant impact. We note that a significantly misaligned orbit for planet c is in some degree of tension with the dynamical stability of the system, and with the fact that we see both planets in transit, though these arguments alone do not preclude such an orbit. Further observations would be highly desirable to constrain the spin–orbit angle of planet c more precisely.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE), Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Supply Chain
• OSTI ID: 2483372
• Journal Information: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Journal Name: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 536; ISSN 0035-8711
• Publisher: Oxford University PressCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United Kingdom
• Language: English