An asteroseismic view of the radius valley: stripped cores, not born rocky
File(s)1710.05398.pdf (669.04 KB)
Accepted version
OA Location
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Various theoretical models treating the effect of stellar irradiation on planetary envelopes predict the presence of a radius valley, i.e. a bimodal distribution of planet radii, with super-Earths and sub-Neptune planets separated by a valley at around
≈2R⊕
. Such a valley has been observed recently, owing to an improvement in the precision of stellar and therefore planetary radii. Here, we investigate the presence, location, and shape of such a valley using a small sample with highly accurate stellar parameters determined from asteroseismology, which includes 117 planets with a median uncertainty on the radius of 3.3 per cent. We detect a clear bimodal distribution, with super-Earths (
≈1.5R⊕
) and sub-Neptunes (≈2.5 R⊕) separated by a deficiency around
2R⊕
. We furthermore characterize the slope of the valley as a power law R∝Pγ with
γ=−0.09+0.02−0.04
. A negative slope is consistent with models of photoevaporation, but not with the late formation of rocky planets in a gas-poor environment, which would lead to a slope of opposite sign. The exact location of the gap further points to planet cores consisting of a significant fraction of rocky material.
≈2R⊕
. Such a valley has been observed recently, owing to an improvement in the precision of stellar and therefore planetary radii. Here, we investigate the presence, location, and shape of such a valley using a small sample with highly accurate stellar parameters determined from asteroseismology, which includes 117 planets with a median uncertainty on the radius of 3.3 per cent. We detect a clear bimodal distribution, with super-Earths (
≈1.5R⊕
) and sub-Neptunes (≈2.5 R⊕) separated by a deficiency around
2R⊕
. We furthermore characterize the slope of the valley as a power law R∝Pγ with
γ=−0.09+0.02−0.04
. A negative slope is consistent with models of photoevaporation, but not with the late formation of rocky planets in a gas-poor environment, which would lead to a slope of opposite sign. The exact location of the gap further points to planet cores consisting of a significant fraction of rocky material.
Date Issued
2018-10-01
Date Acceptance
2018-06-29
Citation
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 2018, 479 (4), pp.4786-4795
ISSN
0035-8711
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Start Page
4786
End Page
4795
Journal / Book Title
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Volume
479
Issue
4
Copyright Statement
© 2018 The Author(s) Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Royal Astronomical Society
This article is published and distributed under the terms of the Oxford University Press, Standard Journals Publication Model (https://academic.oup.com/journals/pages/about_us/legal/notices)
This article is published and distributed under the terms of the Oxford University Press, Standard Journals Publication Model (https://academic.oup.com/journals/pages/about_us/legal/notices)
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Astronomy & Astrophysics
planets and satellites: composition
planets and satellites: formation
planets and satellites: fundamental parameters
planets and satellites: physical evolution
SUPER-EARTHS
HOST STARS
Astronomy & Astrophysics
0201 Astronomical and Space Sciences
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2018-07-06