RESEARCH
<< back
The SOPHIE search for northern extrasolar planets.
XI. Three new companions and an orbit update: Giant planets in the habitable zone

R. F. Díaz, J. Rey, O. Demangeon, G. Hébrard, I. Boisse, L. Arnold, N. Astudillo-Defru, J.-L. Beuzit, X. Bonfils, S. Borgniet, F. Bouchy, V. Bourrier, B. Courcol, M. Deleuil, X. Delfosse, D. Ehrenreich, T. Forveille, A.-M. Lagrange, M. Mayor, C. Moutou, F. Pepe, D. Queloz, A. Santerne, N. C. Santos, J. Sahlmann, D. Ségransan, S. Udry, P. A. Wilson

Abstract
We report the discovery of three new substellar companions to solar-type stars, HD 191806, HD 214823, and HD 221585, based on radial velocity measurements obtained at the Haute-Provence Observatory. Data from the SOPHIE spectrograph are combined with observations acquired with its predecessor, ELODIE, to detect and characterise the orbital parameters of three new gaseous giant and brown dwarf candidates. Additionally, we combine SOPHIE data with velocities obtained at the Lick Observatory to improve the parameters of an already known giant planet companion, HD 16175 b. Thanks to the use of different instruments, the data sets of all four targets span more than ten years. Zero-point offsets between instruments are dealt with using Bayesian priors to incorporate the information we possess on the SOPHIE/ELODIE offset based on previous studies. The reported companions have orbital periods between three and five years and minimum masses between 1.6 MJup and 19 MJup. Additionally, we find that the star HD 191806 is experiencing a secular acceleration of over 11 m s-1 per year, potentially due to an additional stellar or substellar companion. A search for the astrometric signature of these companions was carried out using Hipparcos data. No orbit was detected, but a significant upper limit to the companion mass can be set for HD 221585, whose companion must be substellar. With the exception of HD 191806 b, the companions are located within the habitable zone of their host star. Therefore, satellites orbiting these objects could be a propitious place for life to develop.

Keywords
planetary systems, techniques: radial velocities, stars: individual: HD 221585, stars: individual: HD 16175, stars: individual: HD 191806, stars: individual: HD 214823

Notes
Based on observations collected with the SOPHIE spectrograph on the 1.93-m telescope at Observatoire de Haute-Provence (CNRS), France by the SOPHIE Consortium (programme 07A.PNP.CONS to 15A.PNP.CONS).

Astronomy & Astrophysics
Volume 591, Article Number A146, Number of pages 17
2016 July

>> ADS>> DOI

Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa Universidade do Porto Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade de Coimbra
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia COMPETE 2020 PORTUGAL 2020 União Europeia