We present Doppler tomographic observations of the transiting planet Kepler-13b (aka KOI-13b), a highly inflated hot Jupiter orbiting the Teff=8500 K primary of a hierarchical triple stellar system. As the planet transits the rapidly rotating host star, it successively blocks regions of the stellar disk with different radial velocities, causing a “bump” in the stellar spectral line shape, which we resolve spectroscopically. The manner in which this perturbation moves across the stellar line during the transit gives information on the relative alignment between the stellar spin and planetary orbital angular momentum vectors. This is a powerful statistical probe of planetary migration processes, as the expected spin-orbit misalignment distributions from dynamically cold migration (disk interactions) and dynamically hot migration (planet-planet scattering, Kozai cycles) are significantly different: the former will lead to primarily aligned orbits; the latter to a wide distribution. Doppler tomography also promises to be a powerful technique for confirming transiting planet candidates around rapidly rotating stars like Kepler-13A, which are not amenable to radial velocity follow-up and thus are currently a poorly sampled region of parameter space.

The field of exoplanet spectroscopy has grown tremendously in the last decade. With the discovery of gas giant planets at wide separations from their host stars via direct imaging, it is now possible to obtain exoplanet spectra with unprecedented spectral resolution. We present a medium resolution spectrum of the directly imaged exoplanet HR 8799c. This K-band spectrum was obtained using the integral field spectrograph OSIRIS on the Keck II telescope. Our spectrum shows numerous, well-resolved molecular lines from water and carbon monoxide (CO). There is no clear evidence for methane absorption, in spite of a best fit temperature of ~1100 K. We find a best fit surface gravity log(g) ~ 4.0, consistent with the inferred young age for the system (~30 Myr), and a continuum morphology consistent with previously-inferred dust clouds. Using the water and CO lines, we are able to estimate the C/O ratio for this planet. We find a ratio slightly higher than stellar (~0.65), which provides hints about the planet's formation.

We present the results of the astrometric monitoring of βPictoris b, the closest exoplanet imaged so far, using all VLT/NaCo data we obtained so far.

To investigate the atmospheres of ultracool brown dwarfs with temperatures covering the range of transiting and directly imaged planets, we have monitored a sample of 76 L, T and Y brown dwarfs for infrared photometric variability. This survey was conducted in the J-band using both the SOFI camera on the 3.5-m NTT and the SWIRC camera on the 6.5-m MMT. Each target was observed for a period ranging from 2.0 hours to 6.0 hours, covering a significant fraction of the expected rotation period. Breakup of the iron and silicate clouds into a patchy cloud layer has been suggested as an explanation for the variability of several objects identified at the L/T transition, and a similar process with sulfide clouds may be manifest in T/Y transition objects; our data provides the first test of these patchy cloud scenarios across the entire brown dwarf spectral range.

Cosmic ray ionization has been found to be a dominant mechanism for the formation of ions in dense interstellar environments. Cosmic rays are further known to initiate the highly efficient ion-neutral chemistry within star forming regions. In this talk we explore the effect of both cosmic rays and UV photons on a model hot Jupiter atmosphere using a non-equlibrium chemical network that combines reactions from the UMIST Database for Astrochemistry, the KIDA database for interstellar and protoplanetary environments and three-body and combustion reactions from the NIST database and from various irradiated gas planet networks. The physical parameters for our model atmosphere are based on HD 189733 b (Effective Temperature of 1000 K, log g = 3.3, solar metallicity, at a distance 0.03 AU from a K dwarf). The active UV photochemistry high in our model hot Jupiter atmosphere tends to destroy these hydrocarbons, but on a time-scale sufficiently slow that PAH formation could already have taken place. In most cases, carbon-bearing species formed by cosmic rays are destroyed by UV photons (e.g. C2H2, C2H4, HC3N). Conversely, carbon-bearing species enhanced by an active photochemistry are depleted when cosmic ray ionization is significant (e.g. CN, HCN and CH4). Ammonia is an interesting exception to this trend, enhanced both by an active photochemistry and a high cosmic ray ionization rate.

We report secondary eclipse detections of the transiting hot Jupiter WASP-3b at 3.6, 4.5 and 8.0μm using the Spitzer Space Telescope's Infrared Array Camera. We find planet-to-star flux ratios of 0.210+0.043−0.029, 0.281+0.012−0.011 and 0.332+0.050−0.034% in the three bands respectively. Comparisons with 1D atmospheric models show these values strongly favour inefficient redistribution of heat around the planet and also favour the presence of a temperature inversion. In addition, WASP-3 probes the cut-off region of a proposed activity-inversion correlation and we find evidence of atmospheric differences between this system and a similarly active system, WASP-4.

We derive the C/O ratio for the exoplanet host star 55 Cnc based on archive Keck/HIRES spectra. The C/O ratio varies widely depending on which oxygen abundance indicator – the 6300.3 Å [O I] line, the 6363.8 Å [O I] line, or the 7774 Å O I triplet – is used, and we find there is still a large uncertainty even based on individual abundance indicators. This case study demonstrates that caution and care are necessary when determining exoplanet host star C/O ratios, and when considering host star C/O ratios in inferring exoplanet compositions.

We present evidence of a new planetary system around the K giant η Cet (HIP 5364, HD 6805, HR 334), based on 124 high-precision optical and infrared radial velocity data, taken at Lick Observatory (Hamilton) and at VLT (CRIRES). The best dynamical fit to the data is consistent with two massive planets (m1sini≈2.6MJup, m2sini≈3.3MJup) and with periods of P1≈407 days, P2≈740 days. To test the η Cet system's stability we perform ~ 10,000 dynamical investigations with maximum time spans of 108 years. We find that in case of moderate eccentricities, the planets can be effectively trapped in an anti-aligned stable 2:1 mean motion resonance (MMR), very close to the separatrix. A larger non-resonant stable region exists in low-eccentricity parameter space, although less probable than the 2:1 MMR region.

The Next Generation Transit Survey (NGTS) is a new ground-based survey for transiting exoplanets. Our primary goal is to find the first statistically-significant sample of Neptunes and super-Earths that are bright enough for radial velocity confirmation. By measuring precise masses and radii we will constrain the bulk composition and internal structure of planets that span the transition between the gas giants and terrestrial planets. Our brightest exoplanets will also be suitable for atmospheric characterisation with large facilities such as the VLT, JWST and the E-ELT. NGTS construction began in June 2013, and the survey is due to commence in 2014.

Imaging debris disks at millimeter wavelengths is important, because emission at these long wavelengths is dominated by large grains with dynamics similar to the population of dust-producing planetesimals. We have used the SMA and ALMA to make 1.3 millimeter observations of the debris disk surrounding the nearby (9.9 pc), ~10 Myr-old, M-type flare star AU Microscopii. We characterize the disk by implementing Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods to fit parametric models to the visibilities. The millimeter observations reveal a belt of dust emission that peaks at a radius of 40 AU. This outer size scale agrees with predictions for a reservoir of planetesimals (a “birth ring”) based on the shape of the midplane scattered light profile. We do not find any significant asymmetries in the structure or the centroid position of the emission belt. The ALMA observations with a resolution of 0.6 arcsec (6 AU) also reveal a previously unknown central emission peak, ~6 times brighter than the stellar photosphere at these wavelengths. This central component remains unresolved and could be explained by stellar activity or an inner planetesimal belt located ≲3 AU from the star and containing roughly 1% the mass of the outer belt. Future observations with higher angular resolution will be able to distinguish between these possibilities.

We review the nearby debris disk structures revealed by multi-wavelength images from Spitzer and Herschel, and complemented with detailed spectral energy distribution modeling. Similar to the definition of habitable zones around stars, debris disk structures should be identified and characterized in terms of dust temperatures rather than physical distances so that the heating power of different spectral type of stars is taken into account and common features in disks can be discussed and compared directly. Common features, such as warm (~150 K) dust belts near the water-ice line and cold (~50 K) Kuiper-belt analogs, give rise to our emerging understanding of the levels of order in debris disk structures and illuminate various processes about the formation and evolution of exoplanetary systems. In light of the disk structures in the debris disk twins (Vega and Fomalhaut), and the current limits on the masses of planetary objects, we suggest that the large gap between the warm and cold dust belts is the best signpost for multiple (low-mass) planets beyond the water-ice line.

In this conference proceedings we summarize the key observational findings of the Herschel DUNES survey. We found 31 discs in our sample, equating to an increased dust incidence with Herschel of 20.2 ±2.0% compared to previous measurement of ~12.5±5% with Spitzer for the same population of nearby, Sun-like stars. We identify no trend towards fewer discs around later spectral types, as had previously been reported for A-M stars. Around half of the discs exhibit extended emission, representing a vast improvement in the number of spatially resolved debris discs and thereby the quality of modelling that can be applied to those systems. We also identify unusual sub-groups of discs, including ‘steep SED’ sources with dust spectral indexes in the 70–160 μm range, steeper than the Rayleigh-Jeans tail which, whilst not unheard of, are more typically seen at sub-mm wavelengths and candidate ‘cold discs’ which are identified through their lack of significant excess emission at wavelengths shorter than 100 μm.

Cold debris disks have the potential to answer many outstanding questions in wide-orbit planet formation and evolution. We characterized the infrared excess SEDs of 174 cold debris disks with Spitzer IRS and MIPS. We found a trend between the temperature of the disks and the stellar type of the stars they orbit. This argues against the importance of strictly temperature-dependent processes (e.g. ice lines) in setting the dimensions of cold debris disks. We also found no evidence that delayed stirring causes the trend. The trend may result from outward planet migration that traces the extent of the primordial protoplanetary disk, or from planet formation that halts at an orbital radius limited by the efficiency of core accretion. For the full details of this work, see Ballering et al. (2013).

Whilst debris discs orbiting main-sequence stars are well studied, very little is known regarding their fate when the star evolves onto the giant branch. For intermediate mass (A-type) stars, giants provide a unique opportunity to detect planets using the radial velocity technique, otherwise prohibited by high jitter levels and rotationally broadened lines in main-sequence intermediate mass (A-type) stars. Such stars can provide key insights into the structure of planetary systems around intermediate mass stars. In our Herschel OT1 program (PI Bonsor) we searched for the presence of debris discs orbiting a sample of 36 subgiants, half of which have RV detected companions. Our best detection is the resolved debris disc orbiting κ CrB.

Using photometry at just two wavelengths it is possible to fit a blackbody to the spectrum of infrared excess that is the signature of a debris disc. From this the location of the dust can be inferred. However, it is well known that dust in debris discs is not a perfect blackbody. By resolving debris discs we can find the actual location of the dust and compare this to that inferred from the blackbody fit. Using the Herschel Space Observatory we resolved many systems as part of the DEBRIS survey. Here we discuss a sample of 9 discs surrounding A stars and find that the discs are actually located between 1 and 2.5 times further from their star than predicted by blackbody fits to the spectral energy distribution (SED). The variation in this ratio is due to differences in stellar luminosities, location of the dust, size distribution and composition of the dust.

The possible presence of dust in the habitable zone around nearby main-sequence stars is considered as a major hurdle toward the direct imaging of Earth-like extrasolar planets with future dedicated space-based telescopes (e.g., Roberge et al. 2012). In this context, NASA has funded two ground-based mid-infrared nulling interferometers to combine the large apertures available at the Keck Observatory and the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT). In this poster, we present the preliminary results of the extended survey carried out with the Keck Interferometer Nuller (KIN) between 2008 and 2011 and describe the forthcoming LBTI survey.

We present the preliminary findings of an investigation of the multiplicity of debris disk stars identified within our Volume-limited A-star (VAST) multiplicity survey. Previous studies have produced conflicting results regarding the multiplicity fraction of debris disk-hosting stars compared with non-excess stars. By combining our large-scale volume-limited AO survey of A-type stars with the all-sky WISE catalogue, we have investigated the frequency of binary companions to a large sample of A-type stars with and without measured 22μm excess. The results of this study will allow for a greater understanding of the interaction between a companion star and a circumstellar debris disk, informing future study into the formation and stability of planetary-mass companions within binary systems.

Using a collection of 40 debris disks (DD) around dwarf A-type stars (from which 17 are spatially resolved) having well determined stellar ages (Vican 2012), we found that for a collisional self-stirring model of flux distributions (Kenyon & Bromley, 2008, 2010) dusty DD occupy for a large part the terminal age positions corresponding the end of the MS phase. This situation does not necessarily mean that the dust generation in these DD is finished at this stage. Dusty DD can continue their lives in the next Post-MS stages, as is the case of the recent first resolved dusty DD with planets around the K-type subgiant star κ CrB. This star is considered a “retired” A star (Bonsor et al. 2013). In order to explain the apparent lack of dusty DD in the giant phase, we propose here that this could be due, in part, to a dilution of any planetesimal belt existing around these stars, with the corresponding diminishing of collisions and subsequent dust generation. This dilution is provoked by the dynamical expansion of this belt produced by the important stellar mass loss during the RGB phase. This scenario is being studied by means of numerical simulations by de la Reza, Roig & Chavero 2013 (in preparation).

Exozodiacal dust clouds are thought to be the extrasolar analogs of the Solar System's zodiacal dust. Studying these systems provides insights in the architecture of the innermost regions of planetary systems, including the Habitable Zone. Furthermore, the mere presence of the dust may result in major obstacles for direct imaging of earth-like planets. Our EXOZODI project aims to detect and study exozodiacal dust and to explain its origin. We are carrying out the first large, near-infrared interferometric survey in the northern (CHARA/FLUOR) and southern (VLTI/PIONIER) hemispheres. Preliminary results suggest a detection rate of up to 30% around A to K type stars and interesting trends with spectral type and age. We focus here on presenting the observational work carried out by our team.

The irradiation instability is a disk instability caused by the radiation pressure cast by a central source onto an optically thick disk. The criterion for this instability depends on a sharp transition from an optically thin inner disk to an optically thick outer disk. The quickly diminishing radiation pressure in this transition region creates a radially compressing effect, which is in many ways similar to the effects of self-gravity. In this modal analysis, we demonstrate that a disk marginally stable to irradiation can develop global modes, with growth rates being of order the dynamical timescale of the disk. The non-linear evolution of the our model shows the formation of vortices near the transition region and spiral structures propagating into the optically thick region. Consequently the scale-height of our disk's inner edge becomes time-variable and can likely be observed as a variation in its infrared flux.