Validation of TESS exoplanet candidates orbiting solar analogues in the all-sky PLATO input catalogue

Funding: G.M. acknowledges the support of the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union and of the doctoral grant funded by the University of Padova and by the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR). G.M. is also grateful to the Centre for Exoplanet Science, University of St Andrews (StA-CES) for hospitality and computing resources. GPi, LBo, VNa, and FZM acknowledge the funding support from Italian Space Agency (ASI) regulated by ‘Accordo ASI-INAF n. 2013-016-R.0 del 9 luglio 2013 e integrazione del 9 luglio 2015 CHEOPS Fasi A/B/C’. We acknowledge the support of PLATO ASI-INAF agreements n.2015-019-R0-2015 and n. 2015-019-R.1-2018. T.G.W. and A.C.C. acknowledge support from STFC consolidated grant number ST/V000861/1, and UKSA grant ST/R003203/1.The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) is focusing on relatively bright stars and has found thousands of planet candidates. However, mainly because of the low spatial resolution of its cameras (≈ 21 arcsec/pixel), TESS is expected to detect several false positives (FPs); hence, vetting needs to be done. Here, we present a follow-up program of TESS candidates orbiting solar-analogue stars that are in the all-sky PLATO input catalogue. Using Gaia photometry and astrometry we built an absolute colour-magnitude diagram and isolated solar-analogue candidates’ hosts. We performed a probabilistic validation of each candidate using the vespa software and produced a prioritized list of objects that have the highest probability of being genuine transiting planets. Following this procedure, we eliminated the majority of FPs and statistically vetted 23 candidates. For this remaining set, we performed a stellar neighbourhood analysis using Gaia Early Data Release 3 and centroid motion tests, greatly enhancing the on-target probability of 12 of them. We then used publicly available high-resolution imaging data to confirm their transit source and found five new, fully validated planets. For the remaining candidates, we propose on-off photometry to further refine the list of genuine candidates and prepare for the subsequent radial velocity follow-up.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Multicenter Survey of Ramadan Fasting among Cancer Patient and Healthcare Professionals in the I.R. Iran

Background: Muslim cancer patients and healthcare professionals face several challenges about the necessity of fasting and its possible side effects during the holy month of Ramadan. We aimed to study the prevalence of fasting among cancer patients during Ramadan and opinions of health care professionals about fasting among cancer patients in Iran. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey during the Ramadan (July-August) in 2013. Participants were 620 cancer patients and, 187 healthcare professionals in several cancer clinics from different provinces of Iran. We used self-administered questionnaires and collected data from patients, and healthcare professionals to collect data. We performed descriptive analysis by using Stata statistical software. Results: Out of 620 patients who participated in this study, 428 (69%) were women. 76 (13%) of patients had fasted for at least a day during Ramadan and, from which 41 (7%) had fasted whole months because of their religious belief. Among patients who had refrained from fasting, the reasons were lack of sufficient physical strength (403, 65%), excessive thirst (141, 23%). 275 (44%) of participants had consulted with their physician about fasting. We found that more than 50% of physicians advised against fasting for patients following surgery, pre-operation, recent hospitalization, and consumption of oral or intravenous chemotherapy. Most of the healthcare professionals (68%) believed that cancer survivors could not fast even if they have no signs or symptoms or side-effects after the treatment. Conclusion: Although most of the cancer patients refrain from fasting, some cancer patients practice fasting and face challenges during the holy month of Ramadan in Iran. Most patients consult about fasting in Ramadan with their doctor who has variable opinions about this issue. Development of guidelines for healthcare professional and cancer patients regarding Ramadan fasting is needed

A more sustainable future for astronomy

Science Communication and Societ