Abstracts of Large Programmes and Public Spectroscopic Surveys scheduled in Period 98

This list of OPC approved Large Programmes (LPs) is updated every observing period.

188.C-0265

Melendez

We propose a four year radial velocity planet search targeting 66 so-called ``solar twin'' stars using HARPS. We have recently shown as a result of our five-fold increase in chemical abundance accuracy that the Sun is chemically unusual compared with the majority of solar-type stars, a signature that we attribute to planet formation proceeding more efficiently in the solar system than around other stars. The proposed planet search will exploit the advantage offered by solar twins to obtain abundances of unmatched accuracy, allowing thus to study the stellar composition -- planet connection to a level that was unthinkable before. Our HARPS survey will quadruple the number of solar twins being searched for planets at high precision, illuminating the relation between chemical anomalies and planet formation in a variety of systems, ranging from stars with no planets detected in their inner regions (systems similar to our own Solar System) to stars with gas and ice giants, and probably super Earths. We are complementing the planet search by measuring with unprecedented accuracy chemical abundances for all sample stars using the 6.5m Magellan telescope. The project will ultimately yield a statistically robust sample of solar twins with homogeneous and tight constraints on both their chemical composition and planetary systems, providing novel insights on the still unknown mechanisms of planet formation.

 

196.C-0042

Santos

The detection of extra-solar planets with masses in the Super-Earth and Neptune mass regime represents a benchmark for planet surveys. With the number of detections growing the properties and true frequency of such systems are slowly being accessed. However, due to historical selection biases, the frequency of Neptune and Super-Earth planets has not been systematically probed in the metal-poor regime. Planet formation models strongly suggest that Neptunes and Super-Earths should be frequent around stars of low metallicity, contrarily to the case for giant planets. This prediction needs, however, to be throughly tested. We propose to continue the survey started in P90 to test this theoretical finding, by using the HARPS spectrograph to search for very low mass exoplanets around a sample of solar-type stars with metallicities ([Fe/H])$<-$0.4\,dex. Results from our initial Large Program (P90-95) revealed several promising candidates, though more observations are needed for a solid detection. Interestingly, however, the results also suggest that the frequency of low mass planets in the sample may be significantly lower than the expected from models. If confirmed, this result will have strong implications for the theories of planet formation and evolution, as well as to our understanding of the frequency of Earth-like planets in the Galaxy.

 

196.D-0214

Schaffenroth

Planets and brown dwarfs in close orbits will interact with their host stars, as soon as they evolve to become red giants. However, the outcome of those interactions is still unclear. Recently, several brown dwarfs have been discovered orbiting hot subdwarf stars (sdB) in very short orbital periods of $0.065-0.096\,{\rm d}$. Those compact helium stars are the stripped cores of giants, which lost their envelopes due to the interaction with a close companion. More than $3\%$ of those stars might have close substellar companions. This shows that such companions can significantly affect late stellar evolution and that sdB binaries are ideal objects to study this influence. Thirty-six new eclipsing sdB binary systems with cool low-mass companions were discovered based on their lightcurves by the OGLE project. We want to use this unique and homogeneously selected sample to derive the mass distribution of the companions, constrain the fraction of substellar companions and determine the minimum mass needed to strip off the red-giant envelope. We are especially interested in testing models that predict hot Jupiter planets as possible companions. Here we propose a large filler programme stretched over 4 semesters to obtain 113 hours time-resolved spectroscopy with FORS2 to measure the RV-curves of the 23 HW Vir systems with the shortest periods to determine the companion masses.

 

196.A-0377

Mainieri

Theoretical models of AGN radiative feedback predict that AGN-driven, galaxy wide massive outflows are not a rare and peculiar phenomenon, but a fundamental process affecting the bulk of the baryons in the universe. Currently, sparse observational evidence of AGN feedback exists at z$>1$ but mostly limited to high luminosity objects, therefore a comprehensive picture is still far from being reached. The time is ripe for a systematic approach. We propose a SINFONI Large Programme, SUPER, aimed at carrying out the first statistically-sound investigation of ionized outflows in AGN host galaxies at the peak epoch of AGN and galaxy assembly, z$\approx 2$. SUPER is designed to map the ionized gas kinematics ([OIII], \hbeta, \halpha) with $\sim 1$ kpc spatial resolution, by exploiting the SINFONI AO capabilities, in a sample probing four orders of magnitude in AGN bolometric luminosity. SUPER will deliver tight scaling relations between the frequency, mass, mass flow rate and momentum rate of ionized outflows, and AGN bolometric luminosity and Eddington ratio, which can be directly plugged into models of galaxy evolution. SUPER will constrain the morphology of different kinematical components, fast outflowing gas versus quiescent star-forming gas, directly probing the effect of outflows on the star-formation processes and galaxy shaping.

 

196.B-0578

Poggianti

Gas inflows and outflows regulate the evolution of galaxies, and in particular their star formation histories. Observations of galaxies from which gas is being removed are obtained at various wavelengths, and individual extreme examples of gas stripping are known, including the so-called jellyfish galaxies. Thanks to its field-of-view and high sensitivity, MUSE@VLT allows for the first time a systematic and detailed investigation of gas removal processes in a statistically significant sample of galaxies. We propose a MUSE large program to observe 100 galaxies with optical signatures of stripped material located in different environmental conditions. They are homogeneously selected in clusters and in the field, and belong to dark matter haloes with masses covering over three orders of magnitude. The focus of this program is on the regions {\sl outside of galaxies}, where there is evidence for stripped material, in the vicinity and out to large distances from the parent galaxy. The MUSE data will clarify how, where and why stripping occurs, measure its timescale and efficiency as a function of galaxy mass and environment, and quantify the amount of star formation involved in this process. This program will provide a unique dataset for understanding the mechanisms responsible for gas stripping and the cause of star formation quenching in galaxies.

 

196.A-0778

Fontana

How did galaxies reionize the universe? How do gas and metals cycle in and out of galaxies? Despite recent progress, these fundamental questions are still open, because even the deepest blank field surveys have insufficient depth and resolution. Our innovative HST Program (GLASS) addresses these two questions by taking slitless spectra of galaxies magnified by foreground clusters. Assisted by lensing magnification, we can study sources that are an order of magnitude fainter and smaller than possible in blank fields. However, the spectral resolution of GLASS is insufficient to measure line shapes. We propose to use the unique capabilities of KMOS to secure the redshift identification of $\sim$25 emission line galaxies, consistent with being \lya\ at $z > 7$, including 6 at $z > 8$ - which would be the highest $z$ \lya\ ever confirmed. By targeting known line emitters, our survey is several times more efficient than searches based on photometric selection. This will be by far the largest sample ever collected at $z>7$, sufficient to finally constrain the \lya\ optical depth and the timescale of reionization. At the same time, KMOS will provide kinematics of $\sim$150 galaxies at $z=1-3$, for which GLASS-HST spectra provide metallicity measures. This will extend for the first time correlations between kinematic properties, mass and metallicity over a range in stellar mass sufficient to provide a key test of feedback models.

 

197.A-0384

Fumagalli

Our view of gas flows inside the halos of $z > 3$ galaxies is hampered by the faint UV stellar continuum, which prevents mapping inflows and outflows in absorption using spectra of individual galaxies. Therefore, to study how gas flows regulate galaxy evolution at $z > 3$, one must discover and analyse strong absorption line systems (SALs) towards bright background quasars with foreground galaxies near to the line of sight. However, due to the intrinsic inefficiency of multi-object spectrographs, only a handful of such galaxy-absorber pairs are currently known at these redshifts; this leaves theoretical models for cold flows and feedback nearly unconstrained. We propose to exploit MUSE to conduct a deep redshift survey of $z>3$ Ly$\alpha$ emitting galaxies, complete to luminosities of $0.1L_*$ within $250$ kpc of 22 quasars, for which exquisite archival high-resolution spectroscopy reveals the presence of 37 SALs. Our observations will identify tens of galaxy/strong-absorber pairs, with which we will: i) map the radial profile of hydrogen and metals near to $z>3$ galaxies, uniquely constraining models of inflows and outflows; ii) resolve the denser halo gas associated to SALs in emission; iii) characterise the environment of the SAL population probed by quasar surveys. The proposed observations will be a legacy for studies of the galaxy-IGM connection, the $z>3.5$ quasar environment, and the halo gas of $z\sim 1$ [OII] emitters.

 

197.A-0717

Cirasuolo

In spite of the recent advances, the complex astrophysics in high-redshift star-forming regions and how it evolves with time remains poorly constrained. A clear lack of spatial resolution and the difficulty to access all the necessary line diagnostics, have so far led to conflicting results. We thus propose a large programme with KMOS to observe and spatially resolve 200 galaxies at 1$<$z$<$2.5 with full near-IR wavelength coverage (YJ,H,K) delivering the (nearly) full set of rest-frame optical nebular lines and therefore an extraordinary diagnostic power. The programme will use both lensed galaxies in very well studied HST-CLASH clusters fields to exploit the magnification boosting sensitivity and angular resolution, complemented by a sample of more massive unlensed galaxies to fully explore the Mass-SFR plane. The main aim is to understand how the physical conditions across the galaxy evolve with cosmic time as well as the interplay between key processes such as excitation mechanisms, metal enrichment, ionisation parameter, metallicity gradients, SFR, gas inflows and outflows. The observing programme is designed to exploit the spatially resolved full set of diagnostics to provide the first statistically sound determination of the astrophysics of high-z galaxies, producing some of the most sensitive and powerful constraints to investigate galaxy evolution.

 

197.C-0816

Lowry

The Yarkovsky-O'Keefe-Radzievskii-Paddack (YORP) effect is a torque due to both incident solar radiation pressure and the recoil effect from the anisotropic emission of thermal photons on small bodies in the Solar System. It can modify their rotation rates and spin-axis orientations or obliquities and can explain many observed phenomena in asteroidal science. YORP is also a proposed mechanism for binary formation through equatorial mass loss and re-aggregation. In Period 85 we were awarded Large Programme status on the NTT+EFOSC2 for detection of the YORP effect on a large sample of Near-Earth Asteroids from phase shifts of rotational light curves over at least 4 years of observation (185.C-1033). The programme was supported by a Large Programme on VLT+VISIR (185.C-1034 and 190.C-0357) to obtain thermal infrared photometry. The latter VISIR programme (190.C-0357) was never completed due to technical issues with VISIR. This proposal is to recover the lost time to continue the thermal-IR component of the programme. Thermal infrared photometry from VISIR is required to constrain the sizes, albedos and thermal inertias, which are crucial input for thermophysical models to predict the strength of the YORP effect. These predictions can then be compared with observed measurements, to allow models of radiative torques to be refined.

 

197.B-1074

Gilmore

Gaia-ESO is a public spectroscopic survey, targeting $\geq 10^5$ stars, sampling all major components of the Milky Way, from halo to star forming regions, providing the first homogeneous overview of the distributions of kinematics and elemental abundances. This alone will revolutionise knowledge of Galactic and stellar evolution. When combined with Gaia astrometry the survey will quantify the formation history and evolution of young, mature and ancient Galactic populations. The full survey is detailed on the associated Public Spectroscopic Surveys phase 1 proposal form.

 

197.D-1075

Smartt

This proposal is a placeholder for extra PESSTO observing runs.

 

198.C-0104

Pontoppidan

We propose a large, high-resolution (R$\sim$20,000) VISIR survey of atomic and molecular gas in the planet-forming regions of protoplanetary disks. The survey will produce a transformative data set designed to address many pending questions about the origin of exoplanets, their composition and ultimately their habitability: (i) The timescale and mechanism for gas dissipation; (ii) the significance, chemistry and dynamics of photo-evaporative disks winds; (iii) the disk vertical thermo-chemical structure and its relation to the hardness and strength of its radiation environment; (iv) the nature of protoplanetary chemistry and inner disks surfaces as chemical factories. About 50 disks have been selected from extensive spectroscopic Spitzer and Herschel surveys covering the optically thick, strongly accreting, primordial stage at $\sim$1 Myr to the transitional disk phase at $\gtrsim$5-10 Myr. The sample spans a stellar mass range from Solar-type (0.5-1.0 $M_{\odot}$) to Herbig Ae stars (2.0-3.0 $M_{\odot}$). We target the [NeII] 12.81\,$\mu$m line and strong rotational lines of water and OH around 12.27 and 12.4\,$\mu$m, tracing progressively deeper layers of the disk surface at radii of 1-10 AU. A large coordinated effort is necessary to assure that both atomic and molecular tracers of disks are observed uniformly for the same sample. Carrying out a large VISIR programme now is critical for the community to make the best use of JWST.

 

198.C-0169

Santerne

The small worlds detected by the Kepler telescope revealed new kinds of planets ranging from very low-mass, low-density planets to massive super-Earths. These objects are challenging all planet formation theories and no example of them exist in the solar system (so far). To better understand the formation of these small worlds (including the Earth), we need to precisely characterise a large population of such planets. As of today, only a dozen low-mass planets have been well characterised (mass constrained to better than 20\%), which allows one to unambiguously determine whether they are rocky or gaseous, and to infer their composition. With this large programme proposal, we want to precisely characterise up to 18 new low-mass planets already detected to transit relatively bright and quiet G -- K dwarfs, as seen in the K2 (the second life of the Kepler space telescope) photometric data. They have planetary radius in the range 1.5 -- 6 R$_{\oplus}$, hence spanning different planet populations. For that, we are requesting a total of 70 HARPS nights spread over 4 semesters. These low-mass planets will provide substantially new constraints to test small planet formation theories. As the stars are relatively bright, this proposal will also provide key targets for atmospheric characterisation of low-mass planets with upcoming instruments like the JWST and the E-ELT.

 

198.C-0209

Beuzit

SPHERE, the VLT's new generation planet imager, provides exquisite exoplanet detection performance owing to a combination of high-order XAO correction, coronography, and differential imaging technics in visible and near-infrared. These capabilities enable the detection of faint planets at small angular separations from bright stars. The SHINE program for SPHERE High-contrast ImagiNg survey for Exoplanets, a significant component of the consortium Guaranteed Time Observations, is a large near-infrared survey of 400-600 young, nearby stars. The scientific goals are: i) to characterize known planetary systems (architecture, orbit, stability, luminosity, atmosphere); ii) to search for new planetary systems using SPHERE's unprecedented performance; and finally iii) to determine the occurrence and orbital and mass function properties of the wide-orbit, giant planet population as a function of the stellar host mass and age. Combined, the results will increase our understanding of planetary atmospheric physics and the processes of planetary formation and evolution. To explore the origin of planetary formation a small fraction of the GTO Large Programme is also devoted to the study of proto-planetary and debris disks, using a variety of SPHERE instrument modes optimized for these tasks.

 

198.C-0612

Launhardt

We propose a deep NaCo $L^{\prime}$-band coronagraphic angular differential imaging (ADI) survey for wide-separation giant planets around nearby young stars. Our main goal is the revelation and characterisation of the hypothesised, but observationally only partially characterised wide-separation \mbox{($>$5-10\,au)} giant planet population during the time of formation (protoplanetary disks) and dynamical evolution (debris disks). At this stage of the survey, we only target stars with protoplanetary transition disks and well-characterised debris disks with signatures of dynamical activity that could hint towards the presence of giant planets. With the combination of $L^{\prime}$-band observations, the use of the AGPM coronagraph to minimise the inner working angle (IWA) for bright stars, and a strategy for going significantly deeper than previous surveys, we will optimise the sensitivity to both more embedded (younger) as well as cooler (lower-mass and older) planets than targeted by other surveys. We will also probe smaller separations, thus bridging the gap between orbital separations probed by radial velocity (RV) and direct imaging surveys. Our survey will only partially overlap with other-state-of-the-art exoplanet imaging surveys like the SPHERE GTO survey, but will focus on differently (disk-oriented) selected targets and cover a different parameter range by exploiting the unique $L^{\prime}$-band capability of NaCo.

 

198.A-0708

Koss

Over the last 30 years the importance of host galaxy molecular gas for growing black holes has been intensely debated. {\bf We propose a large legacy survey to definitively address molecular gas fueling utilizing undersubscribed poorer weather conditions (2mm$<$PWV$<$5mm) on APEX to study a volume-limited sample of nearby powerful AGN} ($0.011\times10^{44}$ erg s$^{-1}$). This proposal, along with a joint Chilean proposal for 25 hours each semester, will enable a statistically significant sample (N$\approx$100) of AGN that can be compared to a well matched sample of 156 inactive galaxies from COLD GASS ($\rm 101$) X-ray surveys.

 

198.C-0836

Diaz

After 12 years of continuous sub-m/s RV measurements and breakthrough discoveries, the HARPS search for southern extrasolar planets has reached a turning point. The instrument has been upgraded last June, and the GTO and Large Programme (LP) led by our team will finish at the end of P97. Before the launch in late 2017 of the TESS satellite, that will significantly change the way RV surveys are performed, we propose a Large Programme over one year with the following objectives: 1) bring all the most inactive stars in the LP sample to the number of measurements that enables the detection of low-mass planets, and 2) follow-up intensively a handful of selected targets from the LP and GTO samples that show interesting planetary candidate signals. In particular we shall uncover some of the most interesting planetary systems still to be detected in large numbers by HARPS: the myriad very compact planetary systems seen by the NASA Kepler mission (period ratios below 2:1). These systems may well hold a key piece in the puzzle of planet formation and evolution. To accomplish these objectives we request a total of 50 nights spread over two semesters. We will use a new scheduling strategy based on machine-learning algorithms that should increase the outcome of the proposed RV observations, and permit new discoveries to be done with fewer observations.

 

198.C-0838

Bonfils

Transits across small stars represent the best opportunities to measure the bulk and atmospheric compositions of exo-Earths and super-Earths. Much interest is thus focused on terrestrial mass planets transiting M~dwarfs, ideally in the habitable zone of their host stars. Our new Harps Large Program thus focuses on the identification, validation, and characterization of planets transiting M~dwarfs. In particular, we propose : - to derive more precise masses of confirmed planets K2-3bcd, GJ1214b, GJ1132b, and GJ3470b, - to confirm, and then measure preliminary masses for, new transit candidates identified by K2 and MEarth, - to prepare transit searches for known short-period RV planets which have not been searched for transits so far, - in that course, to search for additional planets in all these systems. \smallskip Better masses are critical to understanding the formation and composition for many of the known super-Earths, which typically have much more precise radii than masses. New, smaller, cooler planets amenable to atmospheric characterisation will be most precious for upcoming JWST and ELT programs. Assuredly, such a program will have a high impact in the field of exoplanetary science.

 

198.A-0915

Sullivan

The Dark Energy Survey (DES) supernova program has completed the first 3 of its 5 years of observations, resulting in over 1500 likely type Ia supernova (SN\,Ia) candidates, with over 200 spectroscopically confirmed SNe\,Ia. Over 60\% of the classifications at $z>0.5$ have been obtained from our VLT program. We propose to complete our program for the last 2 years of DES to determine types and redshifts at VLT for a further 80 DES SNe residing in faint host galaxies, for which accurate redshifts and SN types cannot otherwise be determined. Most DES SNe will be photometrically classified using the DES $griz$ light curves combined with host-galaxy spectroscopic redshifts from our 100-night AAT/OzDES program, measured once the supernovae fade. However, $\sim20\%$ of the DES SNe\,Ia will lie in galaxies too faint ($r$$>$23.5) for this technique. These are the highest-redshift SNe\,Ia in DES and this program will ensure they are included in our cosmological analyses, vital for an accurate determination of the equation-of-state of dark energy, $w(a)$. Critically, as the SN\,Ia luminosity correlates with host-galaxy intrinsic brightness, our proposal will remove redshift-dependent biases in the DES measurement of dark energy. Further, for the first time, our proposal provides a census of SNe in low-metallicity environments, including super-Chandrasekhar SNe\,Ia, superluminous supernovae, and peculiar core-collapse supernova events.

 


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Last update: OPO - July 7, 2016