Input Star Catalogs for Exoplanet Yield Modeling

Lecturer: Eric Memijek, Deputy Program Chief Scientist, NASA Exoplanet Exploration Program

Key Questions for Yield Modeling

• How bright will the hypothetical planet be?
• What is the planet-star brightness ratio?
• At what angular separation is the exoplanet from the star?

Stellar Parameters of Interest

• Brightness of the star in some photometric band
• Volumetric luminosity of the star to calculate habitable zone
• Distance to the star for calculating angular separation
• Photometric data of the star to understand brightness

Important Catalogs and Resources

Large Star Catalogs

• Hipparcos: European Space Agency astrometric mission
• Gaia: Most comprehensive star catalog by ESA, mapping over 2 billion stars
• TESS Input Catalog (TIC): Based on the 2-MASS and Gaia DR2;
• Washington Double Star Catalog: Records of resolved stellar companions
• SB9 Spectroscopic Binary Catalog: Collected data on spectroscopic binaries

Online Databases

• SIMBAD: Astronomical database for objects outside the solar system
• VizieR: Allows querying of electronic tables with celestial data
• MAST & NASA Exoplanet Archive: Online resources for accessing star catalogs

Specialized Star Catalogs for Exoplanet Yield Calculation

• ExoCat 2015: Compilation by Maggie Turnbull, derived from Hipparcos
• Habitable Worlds Observatory Target List: Detailed catalog of 164 stars as candidates for exoplanet observation

Accessing Astronomical Databases

SIMBAD

• Contains: Basic data, cross-identifications, links to bibliographic information
• Features: Positions, proper motions, radial velocities, parallaxes, spectral types, photometry

VizieR

• Query with: Celestial positions (RA/DEC, galactic coordinates), SIMBAD-resolvable names
• Tips: Search with a larger radius (30-60 arcseconds) for more accurate results

Astrometric Missions and Catalogs

Hipparcos

• Mission Duration: 1989-1993
• Catalog: Approximately 118,000 pre-selected stars
• Key Data: Positions, proper motions, parallaxes, photometry in the BT, VT systems

Gaia

• Launch: December 2013
• Data Releases: Three major releases (DR1-DR3)
• Contents: Positions, proper motions, parallaxes, photometry, radial velocities, spectra
• Catalog Examples: CNS-5, Gaia Catalog of Nearby Stars

Compiled Catalogs and Databases

TESS Input Catalog (TIC)

• Data Source: Derived from 2-MASS, with updates from Gaia DR2
• Content: Extensive Stellar parameters, photometry from various sources
• Issue: Handling of binary stars and artifacts can be problematic

Washington Double Star Catalog

• Focus: Resolved stellar companions
• Includes: Position, separation, position angle, magnitude
• Note: Mix of physical companions and interlopers. Example: Vega has many companions listed, none are physical.

SB9 Spectroscopic Binary Catalog

• Creation: Catalog by Dimitri Pourbaix (2004)
• Content: Regularly updated data, available in VizieR

Astrophysical Parameters of Stars

ExoCat 2015 and PURE Targets

• ExoCat 2015: Derived from HIPPARCOS, cataloged primarily for exoplanet yield models
• PURE: Project Ultra Reliable (focused on high-precision star parameters)

Final Takeaway

• Compiling star catalogs for exoplanet yield calculation involves integrating data from various large surveys and specialized databases.
• Continuous updates and refinements are necessary due to new discoveries and improvements in astronomical observations.

Acknowledgment

NASA Exoplanet Exploration Program for supporting the research and catalogs.

End of Lecture Notes