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Magnetic field investigations of Sun-like stars, using Zeeman splitting of non-polarised spectra, in the optical and H-band have found significantly different magnetic field strengths for the same stars, the cause of which is currently unknown. We aim to further investigate this issue by systematically analysing the magnetic field of ξ Boo A, a magnetically active G7 dwarf, using spectral lines at different wavelengths. We used polarised radiative transfer accounting for the departures from local thermodynamic equilibrium to generate synthetic spectra. To find the magnetic field strengths in the optical, H-band, and K-band, we employed MCMC sampling analysis of high-resolution spectra observed with the spectrographs CRIRES⁺, ESPaDOnS, NARVAL, and UVES. We also determine the formation depth of different lines by calculating the contribution functions for each line employed in the analysis. We find that the magnetic field strength discrepancy between lines in the optical and H-band persists even when treating the different wavelength regions consistently. In addition, the magnetic measurements derived from the K-band appear to more closely align with the optical. The H-band appears to yield magnetic field strengths ~0.4 kG with a statistically significant variation while the optical and K-band is stable at ~0.6 kG for observations spanning about two decades. The contribution functions reveal that the optical lines form at a significantly higher altitude in the photosphere compared to those in the H- and K-band. While we find that the discrepancy remains, the variation of formation depths could indicate that the disagreement between magnetic field measurements obtained at different wavelengths is linked to the variation of the magnetic field along the line of sight and between different structures, such as star spots and faculae, in the stellar photosphere.

Context. General circulation models of gas giant exoplanets predict equatorial jets that drive inhomogeneities in the atmospheric physical parameters across the planetary surface. Aims. We studied the transmission spectrum of the hot Jupiter WASP-127 b during one transit in the K band with CRIRES+. Methods. Telluric and stellar signals were removed from the data using SYSREM and the planetary signal was investigated using the cross-correlation technique. After detecting a spectral signal indicative of atmospheric inhomogeneities, we employed a Bayesian retrieval framework with a two-dimensional modelling approach tailored to address this scenario. Results. We detected strong signals of H2O and CO, which exhibited not one but two distinct cross-correlation peaks. The doublepeaked signal can be explained by a supersonic equatorial jet and muted signals at the planetary poles, with the two peaks representing the signals from the planet's morning and evening terminators. We calculated an equatorial jet velocity of 7.7 +/- 0.2 km s(-1) from our retrieved overall equatorial velocity and the planet's tidally locked rotation, and derive distinct atmospheric properties for the two terminators as well as the polar region. Our retrieval yields a solar C/O ratio and metallicity, and shows that the muted signals from the poles can be explained by either significantly lower temperatures or a high cloud deck. It provides tentative evidence for the morning terminator to be cooler than the evening terminator by -175(-117)(+133) K. Conclusions. Our detection of CO challenges previous non-detections of this species in WASP-127b's atmosphere. The presence of a clear double-peaked signal highlights the importance of taking planetary three-dimensional structure into account during interpretation of atmospheric signals. The measured supersonic jet velocity and the lack of signal from the polar regions, representing a detection of latitudinal inhomogeneity in a spatially unresolved target, showcases the power of high-resolution transmission spectroscopy for the characterisation of global circulation in exoplanet atmospheres.

Context. M dwarfs are important targets in the search for Earth-like exoplanets due to their small masses and low luminosities. Several ongoing and upcoming space missions are targeting M dwarfs for this reason, and the ESA PLATO mission is one of these.

Aims. In order to fully characterise a planetary system the properties of the host star must be known. For M dwarfs we can derive effective temperature, surface gravity, metallicity, and abundances of various elements from spectroscopic observations in combination with photometric data.

Methods. The Stellar Abundances and atmospheric Parameters Pipeline (SAPP) has been developed to serve as a prototype for one of the stellar science software within the PLATO consortium. The pipeline combines results from a spectroscopy, a photometry, an interferometry, and an asteroseismology module to derive stellar parameters for FGK-type stars. We have modified the pipeline to be able to analyse the M dwarf part of the PLATO target sample. The current version of the pipeline for M dwarfs mostly relies on spectroscopic observations. The module processing these data is based on the machine learning algorithm The Payne and fits a grid of model spectra to an observed spectrum to derive effective temperature and metallicity. We use spectra in the H-band, as the nearinfrared region is beneficial for M dwarfs because there are fewer molecular lines and they are brighter in this wavelength region than in the optical. A method based on synthetic spectra was developed for the continuum normalisation of the spectra, taking into account the pseudo-continuum formed by numerous lines of the water molecule. Photometry is used to constrain the surface gravity.

Results. We tested the modified SAPP on spectra of M dwarfs from the APOGEE survey. Our validation sample of 26 stars includes stars with interferometric observations and binaries. We found a good agreement between our derived values and reference values from a range of previous studies. We estimate the overall uncertainties in the derived effective temperature, surface gravity, and metallicity to be 100 K, 0.1 dex, and 0.15 dex, respectively.

Conclusions. We find that the modified SAPP performs well on M dwarfs and identify possible areas of future development that should lead to an improved precision of the derived stellar parameters.

Context: Gravitational waves from black-hole (BH) merging events have revealed a population of extra-galactic BHs residing in short-period binaries with masses that are higher than expected based on most stellar evolution models - and also higher than known stellar-origin black holes in our Galaxy. It has been proposed that those high-mass BHs are the remnants of massive metal-poor stars.

Aims: Gaia astrometry is expected to uncover many Galactic wide-binary systems containing dormant BHs, which may not have been detected before. The study of this population will provide new information on the BH-mass distribution in binaries and shed light on their formation mechanisms and progenitors.

Methods: As part of the validation efforts in preparation for the fourth Gaia data release (DR4), we analysed the preliminary astrometric binary solutions, obtained by the Gaia Non-Single Star pipeline, to verify their significance and to minimise false-detection rates in high-mass-function orbital solutions.

Results: The astrometric binary solution of one source, Gaia BH3, implies the presence of a 32.70 ± 0.82 M_⊙ BH in a binary system with a period of 11.6 yr. Gaia radial velocities independently validate the astrometric orbit. Broad-band photometric and spectroscopic data show that the visible component is an old, very metal-poor giant of the Galactic halo, at a distance of 590 pc.

Conclusions: The BH in the Gaia BH3 system is more massive than any other Galactic stellar-origin BH known thus far. The low metallicity of the star companion supports the scenario that metal-poor massive stars are progenitors of the high-mass BHs detected by gravitational-wave telescopes. The Galactic orbit of the system and its metallicity indicate that it might belong to the Sequoia halo substructure. Alternatively, and more plausibly, it could belong to the ED-2 stream, which likely originated from a globular cluster that had been disrupted by the Milky Way.

Context. Large spectroscopic surveys devoted to the study of the Milky Way, including Gaia, use automated pipelines to determine the atmospheric parameters of millions of stars. The Gaia FGK benchmark stars are reference stars with T-eff and log g derived through fundamental relations, independently of spectroscopy, to be used as anchors for the parameter scale. The first and second versions of the sample have been extensively used for that purpose, and more generally to help constrain stellar models.

Aims. We provide the third version of the Gaia FGK benchmark stars, an extended set intended to improve the calibration of spectroscopic surveys, and their interconnection.

Methods. We have compiled about 200 candidates that have precise measurements of angular diameters and parallaxes. We determined their bolometric fluxes by fitting their spectral energy distribution. Masses were determined using two sets of stellar evolution models. In a companion paper, we describe the determination of metallicities and detailed abundances.

Results. We provide a new set of 192 Gaia FGK benchmark stars with their fundamental T-eff and log g, and with uncertainties lower than 2% for most stars. Compared to the previous versions, the homogeneity and accuracy of the fundamental parameters are significantly improved thanks to the high quality of the Gaia photometric and astrometric data.

The Gaia-ESO Survey is an European Southern Observatory (ESO) public spectroscopic survey that targeted 10⁵ stars in the Milky Way covering the major populations of the disk, bulge and halo. The observations were made using FLAMES on the VLT obtaining both UVES high (R ~ 47 000) and GIRAFFE medium (R ~ 20 000) resolution spectra. The analysis of the Gaia-ESO spectra was the work of multiple analysis teams (nodes) within five working groups (WG). The homogenisation of the stellar parameters within WG11 (high resolution observations of FGK stars) and the homogenisation of the stellar parameters within WG10 (medium resolution observations of FGK stars) is described here. In both cases, the homogenisation was carried out using a Bayesian Inference method developed specifically for the Gaia-ESO Survey by WG11. The method was also used for the chemical abundance homogenisation within WG11, however, the WG10 chemical abundance data set was too sparsely populated so basic corrections for each node analysis were employed for the homogenisation instead. The WG10 homogenisation primarily used the cross-match of stars with WG11 as the reference set in both the stellar parameter and chemical abundance homogenisation. In this way the WG10 homogenised results have been placed directly onto the WG11 stellar parameter and chemical abundance scales. The reference set for the metal-poor end was sparse which limited the effectiveness of the homogenisation in that regime. For WG11, the total number of stars for which stellar parameters were derived was 6 231 with typical uncertainties for T_eff, log g and [Fe/H] of 32 K, 0.05 and 0.05 respectively. One or more chemical abundances out of a possible 39 elements were derived for 6 188 of the stars. For WG10, the total number of stars for which stellar parameters were derived was 76 675 with typical uncertainties for T_eff, log g and [Fe/H] of 64 K, 0.15 and 0.07 respectively. One or more chemical abundances out of a possible 30 elements were derived for 64177 of the stars.

Context: As part of the third Gaia Data Release, we present the contributions of the non-stellar and classification modules from the eighth coordination unit (CU8) of the Data Processing and Analysis Consortium, which is responsible for the determination of source astrophysical parameters using Gaia data. This is the third in a series of three papers describing the work done within CU8 for this release.

Aims: For each of the five relevant modules from CU8, we summarise their objectives, the methods they employ, their performance, and the results they produce for Gaia DR3. We further advise how to use these data products and highlight some limitations.

Methods: The Discrete Source Classifier (DSC) module provides classification probabilities associated with five types of sources: quasars, galaxies, stars, white dwarfs, and physical binary stars. A subset of these sources are processed by the Outlier Analysis (OA) module, which performs an unsupervised clustering analysis, and then associates labels with the clusters to complement the DSC classification. The Quasi Stellar Object Classifier (QSOC) and the Unresolved Galaxy Classifier (UGC) determine the redshifts of the sources classified as quasar and galaxy by the DSC module. Finally, the Total Galactic Extinction (TGE) module uses the extinctions of individual stars determined by another CU8 module to determine the asymptotic extinction along all lines of sight for Galactic latitudes |b| > 5 degrees.

Results: Gaia DR3 includes 1591 million sources with DSC classifications; 56 million sources to which the OA clustering is applied; 1.4 million sources with redshift estimates from UGC; 6.4 million sources with QSOC redshift; and 3.1 million level 9 HEALPixes of size 0 :013 deg(2) where the extinction is evaluated by TGE.

Conclusions: Validation shows that results are in good agreement with values from external catalogues; for example 90% of the QSOC redshifts have absolute error lower than 0:1 for sources with empty warning flags, while UGC redshifts have a mean error of 0:008 +/- 0:037 if evaluated on a clean set of spectra. An internal validation of the OA results further shows that 30 million sources are located in high confidence regions of the clustering map.

Context. The motion of stars has been used to reveal details of the complex history of the Milky Way, in constant interaction with its environment. Nevertheless, to reconstruct the Galactic history puzzle in its entirety, the chemo-physical characterisation of stars is essential. Previous Gaia data releases were supported by a smaller, heterogeneous, and spatially biased mixture of chemical data from ground-based observations. Aims. Gaia Data Release 3 opens a new era of all-sky spectral analysis of stellar populations thanks to the nearly 5.6 million stars observed by the Radial Velocity Spectrometer (RVS) and parametrised by the GSP-Spec module. In this work, we aim to demonstrate the scientific quality of Gaia's Milky Way chemical cartography through a chemo-dynamical analysis of disc and halo populations. Methods. Stellar atmospheric parameters and chemical abundances provided by Gaia DR3 spectroscopy are combined with DR3 radial velocities and EDR3 astrometry to analyse the relationships between chemistry and Milky Way structure, stellar kinematics, and orbital parameters. Results. The all-sky Gaia chemical cartography allows a powerful and precise chemo-dynamical view of the Milky Way with unprecedented spatial coverage and statistical robustness. First, it reveals the strong vertical symmetry of the Galaxy and the flared structure of the disc. Second, the observed kinematic disturbances of the disc - seen as phase space correlations - and kinematic or orbital substructures are associated with chemical patterns that favour stars with enhanced metallicities and lower [alpha/Fe] abundance ratios compared to the median values in the radial distributions. This is detected both for young objects that trace the spiral arms and older populations. Several alpha, iron-peak elements and at least one heavy element trace the thin and thick disc properties in the solar cylinder. Third, young disc stars show a recent chemical impoverishment in several elements. Fourth, the largest chemo-dynamical sample of open clusters analysed so far shows a steepening of the radial metallicity gradient with age, which is also observed in the young field population. Finally, the Gaia chemical data have the required coverage and precision to unveil galaxy accretion debris and heated disc stars on halo orbits through their [alpha/Fe] ratio, and to allow the study of the chemo-dynamical properties of globular clusters. Conclusions. Gaia DR3 chemo-dynamical diagnostics open new horizons before the era of ground-based wide-field spectroscopic surveys. They unveil a complex Milky Way that is the outcome of an eventful evolution, shaping it to the present day.

The dayside atmospheres of ultra-hot Jupiters (UHJs) are predicted to possess temperature inversion layers with extremely high temperatures at high altitudes. We observed the dayside thermal emission spectra of WASP-18b and WASP-76b with the new CRIRES+ high-resolution spectrograph at near-infrared wavelengths. Using the cross-correlation technique, we detected strong CO emission lines in both planets, which confirms the existence of temperature inversions on their dayside hemispheres. The two planets are the first UHJs orbiting F-type stars with CO emission lines detected; previous detections were mostly for UHJs orbiting A-type stars. Evidence of weak H2O emission signals is also found for both planets. We further applied forward-model retrievals on the detected CO lines and retrieved the temperature-pressure profiles along with the CO volume mixing ratios. The retrieved logarithmic CO mixing ratio of WASP-18b (-2.2(-1.5)(+1.4)) is slightly higher than the value predicted by the self-consistent model assuming solar abundance. For WASP-76b, the retrieved CO mixing ratio (-3.6(-1.6)(+1.8)) is broadly consistent with the value of solar abundance. In addition, we included the equatorial rotation velocity (upsilon(eq)) in the retrieval when analyzing the line profile broadening. The obtained upsilon(eq) is 7.0 +/- 2.9 km s(-1) for WASP-18b and 5.2(-3.0)(+2.5) km s(-1) for WASP-76b, which are consistent with the tidally locked rotational velocities.

The CRyogenic InfraRed Echelle Spectrograph (CRIRES) Upgrade project CRIRES+ extended the capabilities of CRIRES. It transformed this VLT instrument into a cross-dispersed spectrograph to increase the wavelength range that is covered simultaneously by up to a factor of ten. In addition, a new detector focal plane array of three Hawaii 2RG detectors with a 5.3 mu m cutoff wavelength replaced the existing detectors. Amongst many other improvements, a new spectropolarimetric unit was added and the calibration system has been enhanced. The instrument was installed at the VLT on Unit Telescope 3 at the beginning of 2020 and successfully commissioned and verified for science operations during 2021, partly remotely from Europe due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The instrument was subsequently offered to the community from October 2021 onwards. This article describes the performance and capabilities of the upgraded instrument and presents on sky results.