Precise radial velocities of giant stars -- XVII. Distinguishing planets from intrinsically induced radial velocity signals in evolved stars

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Hauptverfasser: Spaeth, Dane, Reffert, Sabine, Trifonov, Trifon, Kaminski, Adrian, Albrecht, Simon, Grundahl, Frank, Andersen, Mads Fredslund, Quirrenbach, Andreas, Pallé, Pere L.
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Veröffentlicht: 2025
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author Spaeth, Dane
Reffert, Sabine
Trifonov, Trifon
Kaminski, Adrian
Albrecht, Simon
Grundahl, Frank
Andersen, Mads Fredslund
Quirrenbach, Andreas
Pallé, Pere L.
author_facet Spaeth, Dane
Reffert, Sabine
Trifonov, Trifon
Kaminski, Adrian
Albrecht, Simon
Grundahl, Frank
Andersen, Mads Fredslund
Quirrenbach, Andreas
Pallé, Pere L.
contents From a long-term Doppler monitoring campaign of 373 giant stars, we have identified ten giants with periodic radial velocity variations that are challenging to associate with planets. Similar cases in the literature are attributed to poorly understood intrinsic processes. Our goal is to confirm or refute the presence of planets around these ten evolved stars. Additionally, we evaluate the reliability and sensitivity of planet-confirmation metrics when applied to giant stars and present cases of intrinsically induced radial velocity variations, aiming to enhance the physical understanding of the phenomenon. We combined 25 years of radial velocity data from the Hamilton/Lick, SONG, and CARMENES spectrographs. To assess consistency with Keplerian models, we examined the residuals and tracked changes in statistical significance as new data were incorporated. Additionally, we compared radial velocity amplitudes across optical and infrared wavelengths, searched for periodic variations of activity indicators, and examined their correlations with radial velocities. Seven of the ten giants exhibit intrinsically induced radial velocity variations. The strongest arguments against planets orbiting the giants are guided by long-term radial velocity monitoring that detects changing periodicity on long timescales or detects systematics close to the original period in the radial velocity residuals. While activity indicators offer some support, their signals are generally weak. Comparing optical and infrared radial velocity amplitudes also proves insufficient for confirming or refuting planets. We find HIP 64823 remains a promising candidate for hosting a giant exoplanet with orbital period $P\sim$ 7.75 yr. For two stars, the evidence remains inconclusive. Long-term radial velocity monitoring is essential for distinguishing planetary companions from intrinsic variations in evolved stars.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2504_09087
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Precise radial velocities of giant stars -- XVII. Distinguishing planets from intrinsically induced radial velocity signals in evolved stars
Spaeth, Dane
Reffert, Sabine
Trifonov, Trifon
Kaminski, Adrian
Albrecht, Simon
Grundahl, Frank
Andersen, Mads Fredslund
Quirrenbach, Andreas
Pallé, Pere L.
Earth and Planetary Astrophysics
Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics
Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
From a long-term Doppler monitoring campaign of 373 giant stars, we have identified ten giants with periodic radial velocity variations that are challenging to associate with planets. Similar cases in the literature are attributed to poorly understood intrinsic processes. Our goal is to confirm or refute the presence of planets around these ten evolved stars. Additionally, we evaluate the reliability and sensitivity of planet-confirmation metrics when applied to giant stars and present cases of intrinsically induced radial velocity variations, aiming to enhance the physical understanding of the phenomenon. We combined 25 years of radial velocity data from the Hamilton/Lick, SONG, and CARMENES spectrographs. To assess consistency with Keplerian models, we examined the residuals and tracked changes in statistical significance as new data were incorporated. Additionally, we compared radial velocity amplitudes across optical and infrared wavelengths, searched for periodic variations of activity indicators, and examined their correlations with radial velocities. Seven of the ten giants exhibit intrinsically induced radial velocity variations. The strongest arguments against planets orbiting the giants are guided by long-term radial velocity monitoring that detects changing periodicity on long timescales or detects systematics close to the original period in the radial velocity residuals. While activity indicators offer some support, their signals are generally weak. Comparing optical and infrared radial velocity amplitudes also proves insufficient for confirming or refuting planets. We find HIP 64823 remains a promising candidate for hosting a giant exoplanet with orbital period $P\sim$ 7.75 yr. For two stars, the evidence remains inconclusive. Long-term radial velocity monitoring is essential for distinguishing planetary companions from intrinsic variations in evolved stars.
title Precise radial velocities of giant stars -- XVII. Distinguishing planets from intrinsically induced radial velocity signals in evolved stars
topic Earth and Planetary Astrophysics
Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics
Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2504.09087