Oscillations in the G-type Giants

The precise radial-velocity measurements of 4 G-type giants, 11Com, $\zeta$ Hya, $\epsilon$ Tau, and $\eta$ Her were carried out. The short-term variations with amplitudes, 1-7m/s and periods, 3-10 hours were detected. A period analysis shows that the individual power distribution is in a Gaussian shape and their peak frequencies ($\nu_{max}$) are in a good agreement with the prediction by the scaling law. With using a pre-whitening procedure, significant frequency peaks more than 3 $\sigma$ are extracted for these giants. From these peaks, we determined the large frequency separation by constructing highest peak distribution of collapsed power spectrum, which is also in good agreement with what the scaling law for the large separation predicts. Echelle diagrams of oscillation frequency were created based on the extracted large separations, which is very useful to clarify the properties of oscillation modes. In these echelle diagrams, odd-even mode sequences are clearly seen. Therefore, it is certain that in these G-type giants, non-radial modes are detected in addition to radial mode. As a consequence, these properties of oscillation modes are shown to follow what Dzymbowski et al.(2001) and Dupret et al.(2009) theoretically predicted. Damping times for these giants were estimated with the same method as that developed by Stello et al.(2004). The relation of Q value (ratio of damping time to period) to the period was discussed by adding the data of the other stars ranging from dwarfs to giants.Comment: 28 pages, 16 figures, accepted for publication in PASJ 62, No.4, 201

Stellar Parameters and Elemental Abundances of Late-G Giants

The properties of 322 intermediate-mass late-G giants (comprising 10 planet-host stars) selected as the targets of Okayama Planet Search Program, many of which are red-clump giants, were comprehensively investigated by establishing their various stellar parameters (atmospheric parameters including turbulent velocity fields, metallicity, luminosity, mass, age, projected rotational velocity, etc.), and their photospheric chemical abundances for 17 elements, in order to study their mutual dependence, connection with the existence of planets, and possible evolution-related characteristics. The metallicity distribution of planet-host giants was found to be almost the same as that of non-planet-host giants, making marked contrast to the case of planet-host dwarfs tending to be metal-rich. Generally, the metallicities of these comparatively young (typical age of ~10^9 yr) giants tend to be somewhat lower than those of dwarfs at the same age, and super-metal-rich ([Fe/H] > 0.2) giants appear to be lacking. Apparent correlations were found between the abundances of C, O, and Na, suggesting that the surface compositions of these elements have undergone appreciable changes due to dredge-up of H-burning products by evolution-induced deep envelope mixing which becomes more efficient for higher-mass stars.Comment: Accepted for publication in PASJ (21 pages, 15 figures) (wrong URL of e-tables in Ver.1 has been corrected in Ver.2

Stellar Parameters and Chemical Abundances of G Giants

We present basic stellar parameters of 99 late-type G giants based on high resolution spectra obtained by the High Dispersion Spectrograph attached to Subaru Telescope. These stars are targets of a Doppler survey program searching for extra-solar planets among evolved stars, with a metallicity of -0.8<[Fe/H]<+0.2. We also derived their abundances of 15 chemical elements, including four $\alpha$-elements (Mg, Si, Ca, Ti), three odd-Z light elements (Al, K, Sc), four iron peak elements (V, Cr, Fe, Ni), and four neutron-capture elements (Y, Ba, La, Eu). Kinematic properties reveal that most of the program stars belong to the thin disk.Comment: 21 pages, 15 figures, PASJ accepte

First Evidence of a Retrograde Orbit of Transiting Exoplanet HAT-P-7b

We present the first evidence of a retrograde orbit of the transiting exoplanet HAT-P-7b. The discovery is based on a measurement of the Rossiter-McLaughlin effect with the Subaru HDS during a transit of HAT-P-7b, which occurred on UT 2008 May 30. Our best-fit model shows that the spin-orbit alignment angle of this planet is \lambda = -132.6 (+10.5, -16.3) degrees. The existence of such a retrograde planet have been predicted by recent planetary migration models considering planet-planet scattering processes or the Kozai migration. Our finding provides an important milestone that supports such dynamic migration theories.Comment: PASJ Letters, in press [13 pages

Spin-Orbit Alignment of the TrES-4 Transiting Planetary System and Possible Additional Radial Velocity Variation

We report new radial velocities of the TrES-4 transiting planetary system, including observations of a full transit, with the High Dispersion Spectrograph of the Subaru 8.2m telescope. Modeling of the Rossiter-McLaughlin effect indicates that TrES-4b has closely aligned orbital and stellar spin axes, with $\lambda = 6.3^{\circ} \pm 4.7^{\circ}$. The close spin-orbit alignment angle of TrES-4b seems to argue against a migration history involving planet-planet scattering or Kozai cycles, although there are two nearby faint stars that could be binary companion candidates. Comparison of our out-of-transit data from 4 different runs suggest that the star exhibits radial velocity variability of $\sim$20 ms^-1 in excess of a single Keplerian orbit. Although the cause of the excess radial velocity variability is unknown, we discuss various possibilities including systematic measurement errors, starspots or other intrinsic motions, and additional companions besides the transiting planet.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures, 3 tables, PASJ in pres

Precise Radial Velocity Measurements for Kepler Giants Hosting Planetary Candidates: Kepler-91 and KOI-1894

We present results of radial-velocity follow-up observations for the two Kepler evolved stars Kepler-91 (KOI-2133) and KOI-1894, which had been announced as candidates to host transiting giant planets, with the Subaru 8.2m telescope and the High Dispersion Spectrograph (HDS). By global modeling of the high-precision radial-velocity data taken with Subaru/HDS and photometric ones taken by Kepler mission taking account of orbital brightness modulations (ellipsoidal variations, reflected/emitted light, etc.) of the host stars, we independently confirmed that Kepler-91 hosts a transiting planet with a mass of 0.66 M_Jup (Kepler-91b), and newly detected an offset of ~20 m s$^{-1}$ between the radial velocities taken at ~1-yr interval, suggesting the existence of additional companion in the system. As for KOI-1894, we detected possible phased variations in the radial velocities and light curves with 2--3 sigma confidence level which could be explained as a reflex motion and ellipsoidal variation of the star caused by the transiting sub-saturn-mass (~0.18 M_Jup) planet.Comment: 9 pages, 8 figures, accepted for publication in Ap