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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.

Fossil magnetic fields of early-type stars are typically characterised by symmetric or slightly distorted oblique dipolar surface geometries. Contrary to this trend, the late-B magnetic chemically peculiar star HD 57372 exhibits an unusually large rotational variation of its mean magnetic field modulus, suggesting a highly atypical field configuration. We present a Zeeman Doppler imaging analysis of HD 57372 that reveals an exceptionally asymmetric bipolar magnetic topology, which is rarely observed in early-type stars. According to our magnetic field maps, reconstructed from the intensity and circular polarisation profiles of Fe, Cr, and Ti lines, approximately 66% of the stellar surface is covered by a diffuse, outward directed radial field, with local field strength reaching 11.6 kG. The remaining 34% hosts a highly concentrated inward directed field with a strong horizontal component and a peak strength of 17.8 kG. These unusual surface magnetic field characteristics make HD 57372 a notable object for testing fossil-field theories and interpreting phase-resolved spectropolarimetric observations of early-type stars.

We explore the empirical power-law relationship between X-ray luminosity (LX) and total surface magnetic flux (Phi), established across solar magnetic elements, time- and disk-averaged emission from the Sun, older active stars, and pre-main-sequence (PMS) stars. Previous models of large PMS X-ray flares, lacking direct magnetic field measurements, showed discrepancies from this baseline law, which MHD simulations attribute to unusually strong magnetic fields during flares. To test this, we used nearly simultaneous Chandra X-ray and HET-HPF near-infrared observations of four young Orion stars, measuring surface magnetic fields during or just after powerful PMS X-ray flares. We also modeled these PMS X-ray flares, incorporating their measured magnetic field strengths. Our findings reveal magnetic field strengths at the stellar surface typical of nonflaring PMS stars, ruling out the need for abnormally strong fields during flares. Both PMS and solar flares deviate from the LX-Phi law, with PMS flares exhibiting a more pronounced deviation, primarily due to their much larger active regions on the surface and larger flaring loop volumes above the surface compared to their solar counterparts. These deviations likely stem from the fact that powerful flares are driven by magnetic reconnection, while baseline X-ray emission may involve less efficient mechanisms like Alfv & eacute;n wave heating. Our results also indicate a preference for dipolar magnetic loops in PMS flares, consistent with Zeeman-Doppler imaging of fully convective stars. This requirement for giant dipolar loops aligns with MHD predictions of strong dipoles supported by polar magnetic surface active regions in fast-rotating, fully convective stars.

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. High-precision radial velocity (RV) measurements with slit spectrographs require the instrument profile (IP) and Earth's atmospheric spectrum to be known and to be incorporated into the RV calculation. Aims. We developed an RV pipeline, called Velocity and IP EstimatoR (viper), to achieve high-precision RVs in the near-infrared (NIR). The code is able to process observations taken with a gas cell and includes modelling of the IP and telluric lines. Methods. We utilised least-square fitting and telluric forward modelling to account for instrument instabilities and atmospheric absorption lines. As part of this process, we demonstrate the creation of telluric-free stellar spectra. Results. By applying viper to observations obtained with the upgraded CRyogenic high-resolution InfraRed Echelle Spectrograph (CRIRES+) and a gas absorption cell in the K band, we are able to reach an RV precision of around 3 m/s over a time span of 2.5 years. For observations using telluric lines for the wavelength reference, an RV precision of 10 m/s is achieved. Conclusions. We demonstrate that despite telluric contamination, a high RV precision is possible at NIR wavelengths, even for a slit spectrograph with varying IP. Furthermore, we show that CRIRES+ performs well and is an excellent choice for science studies requiring precise stellar RV measurements in the infrared.

Context. The A-type metallic-line (Am) stars are typically considered to be non-magnetic or to possess very weak sub-G magnetic fields. This view has been repeatedly challenged in the literature; most commonly for the bright hot Am star o Peg. Several studies claim to have detected 1-2 kG field of unknown topology in this object, possibly indicating a new process of magnetic-field generation in intermediate-mass stars. Aims. In this study, we revisit the evidence of a strong magnetic field in o Peg using new high-resolution spectropolarimetric observations and advanced spectral fitting techniques.

Methods. We estimated the mean magnetic field strength in o Peg from the high-precision CRyogenic InfraRed Echelle Spectrograph (CRIRES+) measurement of near-infrared (NIR) sulphur lines. We modelled this observation with a polarised radiative transfer code, including treatment of the departures from local thermodynamic equilibrium. In addition, we used the least-squares deconvolution multi-line technique to derive longitudinal field measurements from archival optical spectropolarimetric observations of this star.

Results. Our analysis of the NIR S I lines reveals no evidence of Zeeman broadening, ruling out magnetic field with a strength exceeding 260 G. This null result is compatible with the relative intensification of Fe II lines in the optical spectrum, taking into account blending and uncertain atomic parameters of the relevant diagnostic transitions. Longitudinal field measurements on three different nights also yield null results with a precision of 2 G.

Conclusions. This study refutes the claims of kG-strength dipolar or tangled magnetic field in o Peg. This star therefore appears to be non-magnetic, with surface magnetic field characteristics no different from those of other Am stars.

The accretion and ejection of mass in pre-main-sequence (PMS) stars are key processes in stellar evolution as they shape the stellar angular momentum transport necessary for the stars' stability. Magnetospheric accretion on to classical T Tauri stars and low-mass PMS stars has been widely studied in the single-star case. This process cannot be directly transferred to PMS binary systems, as tidal and gravitation effects, and/or accretion from a circumbinary disc (with variable separation of the components in the case of eccentric orbits) are in place. This work examines the accretion process of two PMS eccentric binaries, DQ Tau and AK Sco, using high-resolution spectropolarimetric time series. We investigate how magnetospheric accretion can be applied to these systems by studying the accretion-related emission lines and the magnetic field of each system. We discover that both systems are showing signs of magnetospheric accretion, despite their slightly different configurations, and the weak magnetic field of AK Sco. Furthermore, the magnetic topology of DQ Tau A shows a change relative to the previous orbital cycle studied: previously dominated by the poloidal component, it is now dominated by the toroidal component. We also report an increase of the component's accretion and the absence of an accretion burst at the apastron, suggesting that the component's magnetic variation might be the cause of the inter-cycle variations of the system's accretion. We conclude on the presence of magnetospheric accretion for both systems, together with gravitational effects, especially for AK Sco, composed of more massive components.

Despite recent progress in the spectroscopic characterization of individual exoplanets, the atmospheres of key ultra-hot Jupiters (UHJs) still lack comprehensive investigations. These include WASP-178b, one of the most irradiated UHJs known to date. We observed the dayside emission signal of this planet with CRIRES⁺ in the spectral K band. By applying the cross-correlation technique and a Bayesian retrieval framework to the high-resolution spectra, we identified the emission signature of ¹²CO (S/N = 8.9) and H₂O (S/N = 4.9), and a strong atmospheric thermal inversion. A joint retrieval with space-based secondary eclipse measurements from TESS and CHEOPS allowed us to refine our results on the thermal profile and thus to constrain the atmospheric chemistry, yielding a solar to super-solar metallicity (1.4 ± 1.6 dex) and a solar C/O ratio (0.6 ± 0.2). We infer a significant excess of spectral line broadening and identify a slight Doppler-shift between the ¹²CO and H₂O signals. These findings provide strong evidence for a super-rotating atmospheric flow pattern and suggest the possible existence of chemical inhomogeneities across the planetary dayside hemisphere. In addition, the inclusion of photometric data in our retrieval allows us to account for stellar light reflected by the planetary atmosphere, resulting in an upper limit on the geometric albedo (0.23). The successful characterization of WASP-178b’s atmosphere through a joint analysis of CRIRES⁺, TESS, and CHEOPS observations highlights the potential of combined studies with space- and ground-based instruments and represents a promising avenue for advancing our understanding of exoplanet atmospheres.

Measuring the coverage of dark spots on cool stars is important to understanding how stellar magnetic activity scales with the rotation rate and convection zone depth. In this respect, it is crucial to infer surface magnetic patterns on G and K stars, to reveal solar-like stellar dynamos in action. Molecular bands serve as invaluable indicators of cool spots on the surfaces of stars, as they play a crucial role in enabling accurate assessments of the extent of spot coverage across the stellar surface. Therefore, more reliable surface images can be obtained considering the inversion of atomic lines with molecular bands. In this context, we simultaneously carry out Doppler imaging (DI) using atomic lines as well as titanium oxide band profiles of PW And (K2 V) and also investigate chromospheric activity indicators for the first time in the literature, using high-resolution spectra. The surface spot distribution obtained from the inversion process represents both atomic line and TiO-band profiles quite accurately. The chromospheric emission is also correlated with photospheric spot coverage, except during a possible flare event during the observations. We detect frequent flare activity, using TESS photometry. We also introduce a new open-source, Python-based DI code SpotDIPy that allows performing surface reconstructions of single stars using the maximum entropy method. We test the code by comparing surface reconstruction simulations with the extensively used DoTS code. We show that the surface brightness distribution maps reconstructed via both codes using the same simulated data are consistent with each other.