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The transiting planet CoRoT-1b is thought to belong to the pM-class of planets, in which the thermal emission dominates in the optical wavelengths. We present a detection of its secondary eclipse in the CoRoT white channel data, whose response function goes from ~400 to ~1000 nm. We used two different filtering approaches, and several methods to evaluate the significance of a detection of the secondary eclipse. We detect a secondary eclipse centered within 20 min at the expected times for a circular orbit, with a depth of 0.016+/-0.006%. The center of the eclipse is translated in a 1-sigma upper limit to the planet's eccentricity of ecosomega, 6 pages, to appear in A&A, submitted 18 march 2009, accepted 7 July 2009

This paper presents an analysis that searched for systematic effects within the CoRoT exoplanet field light curves. The analysis identified a systematic effect that modified the zero point of most CoRoT exposures as a function of stellar magnitude. We could find this effect only after preparing a set of learning light curves that were relatively free of stellar and instrumental noise. Correcting for this effect, rejecting outliers that appear in almost every exposure, and applying SysRem, reduced the stellar RMS by about 20 %, without attenuating transit signals., Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics

With the release of CoRoT lightcurves of the Initial Run IRa01, 50 transiting planetary candidates have been published in a companion paper. About twenty of them were identified as binary stars from the CoRoT lightcurve itself. Complementary observations were conducted for 29 candidates, including ground-based photometry and radial-velocity measurements. Two giant planets were identified and fully characterized. Nineteen binaries are recognized, from which 10 are background eclipsing binaries in the CoRoT mask or triple systems, diluted by the main CoRoT target. Eight cases remain of unclear origin, one of them still being a planetary candidate. Comparison with simulations shows that the actual threshold of confirmed planet detection in this field does not yet fulfill the expectations, and a number of reasons are invoked, like the ranking process based on lightcurve analyses, and the strategy and limits of follow-up observations for targets fainter than magnitude 15.

CoRoT is a space telescope which aims at studying internal structure of stars and detecting extrasolar planets. We present here a list of transits detected in the light curves of stars observed by CoRoT in two fields in the anti-center direction: the LRa03 one observed during 148 days from 3 October 2009 to 1 March 2010 followed by the SRa03 one from the 5 March 2010 to the 29 March 2010 during 25 days. 5329 light curves for the LRa03 field and 4169 for the SRa03 field were analyzed by the detection team of CoRoT. Then some of the selected exoplanetary candidates have been followed up from the ground. In the LRa03 field, 19 exoplanet candidates have been found, 8 remain unsolved. No secured planet has been found yet. In the SRa03 field, there were 11 exoplanetary candidates among which 6 cases remain unsolved and 3 planets have been found: CoRoT-18b, CoRoT-19b, CoRoT-20b. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

Context. HD 49434 is a bright (V = 5ṃ75) and multiperiodic γ Dor-type pulsator that has been selected for the asteroseismic core programme of the CoRoT satellite.Aims. An extensive and detailed study has been carried out to investigate the pulsational content of this object on the basis of the 136.9 d (331291 useful datapoints) time series collected by the CoRoT satellite during the long-run LRa01 (October 2007–March 2008).Methods. The frequency analysis was carried out using the recently available software package SigSpec and Period04.Results. The results confirm HD 49434 as a complex pulsator with a very dense pulsation spectrum. A total of 1686 significant peaks are formally detected, essentially in the region below 15 d-1 . No significant pulsation peaks are detected for frequencies higher than 30 d-1 . Solar-type oscillations are not detected in this star. The reliability of such a high number of detected peaks has been investigated on the basis of two independent methods. As a result, we propose a total of 840 frequencies that can be assumed to be intrinsic to the star. Conclusions. The CoRoT mission provides very high-quality light curves and datasets, which are excellent for asteroseismic studies of complex pulsating stars beacause they allow investigation of the frequency content down to amplitude levels of a few μ mag, unattainable with ground-based observations. In this way, hundreds of excited modes were detected in HD 49434. This is the first time that so many frequencies have been found in a γ Dor-type pulsator.

The CoRoT satellite is revolutionizing the photometric study of massive O-type and B-type stars. During its long runs, CoRoT observed the entire main sequence B star domain, from typical hot β Cep stars, via cooler hybrid p- and g-mode pulsators to the SPB stars near the edge of the instability strip. CoRoT lowers the sensitivity barrier from the typical mmagprecision reached from the ground, to the µ mag-level reached from space. Within the wealth of detected and identified pulsation modes, relations have been found in the form of multiplets, combination of frequencies, and frequency- and period spacings. This wealth of observational evidence is finally providing strong constraints to test current models of the internal structure and pulsations of hot stars. Aside from the expected opacity driven modes with infinite lifetime, other unexpected types of variability are detected in massive stars, such as modes of stochastic nature. The simultaneous observation of all these light curve characteristics implies a challenge for both observational asteroseismology and stellar modelling (© 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

International audience; Context: The estimate of solar-like oscillation properties, such as their frequencies, amplitudes and lifetimes, is challenging because of their low amplitudes and will benefit from long and uninterrupted observing runs. The space telescope CoRoT allows us to obtain high-performance photometric data over a long and quasi continuous period. Among its main targets are stars for which we expect solar-like oscillations. Aims: HD 181420, an F2 main sequence star, has been observed by CoRoT during its first long run covering about 156 days. With this unprecedently high-quality set of data, our aim is to derive the p-mode parameters that can be used to probe the stellar interior. Methods: The CoRoT data obtained on HD 181420 is analysed using a classical Fourier approach for the search for the p mode signature. The p-mode parameters are then derived using global fitting of the power spectrum by a Lorentzian model, as used widely in the solar case. Results: From the p-mode frequencies, the mean value of the large spacing is estimated to be 75 {mu Hz}. The p-mode amplitudes are slightly less than 4 ppm with a line width of about 8 {mu Hz} at the maximum of the p modes. The inclination angle is estimated to be around 45 °. The large mode line-width combined with the observed mode spacing make it difficult to identify the l=2 modes and to estimate the rotational splitting. We explore two scenarios for the identification of the modes.

International audience; Context: The origin of the short-term variability in Be stars remains a matter of controversy. Pulsations and rotational modulation are the components of the favored hypothesis. Aims: We present our analysis of CoRoT data of the B8IIIe star HD 175869 observed during the first short run in the center direction (SRC1). Methods: We review both the instrumental effects visible in the CoRoT light curve and the analysis methods used by the CoRoT Be team. We applied these methods to the CoRoT light curve of the star HD 175869. A search for line-profile variations in the spectroscopic data was also performed. We also searched for a magnetic field, by applying the LSD technique to spectropolarimetric data. Results: The light curve exhibits low-amplitude variations of the order of 300 mumag with a double wave shape. A frequency within the range determined for the rotational frequency and 6 of its harmonics are detected. The main frequency and its first harmonic exhibit amplitude variations of a few days. Other significant frequencies of low-amplitude from 25 to a few mumag are also found. The analysis of line profiles from ground-based spectroscopic data does not detect any variation. In addition, no Zeeman signature was found. Conclusions: Inhomogeneities caused by stellar activity in or just above the photosphere are proposed to produce the photometric variability detected by CoRoT in the Be star HD 175869. The hypothesis that non-radial pulsations are the origin of these variations cannot be excluded.

International audience; Context: Aims: This work presents the results obtained by CoRoT on HD 50844, the only delta Sct star observed in the CoRoT initial run (57.6 d). The aim of these CoRoT observations was to investigate and characterize for the first time the pulsational behaviour of a delta Sct star, when observed at a level of precision and with a much better duty cycle than from the ground. Methods: The 140 016 datapoints were analysed using independent approaches (SigSpec software and different iterative sine-wave fittings) and several checks performed (splitting of the timeseries in different subsets, investigation of the residual light curves and spectra). A level of 10-5 mag was reached in the amplitude spectra of the CoRoT timeseries. The space monitoring was complemented by ground-based high-resolution spectroscopy, which allowed the mode identification of 30 terms. Results: The frequency analysis of the CoRoT timeseries revealed hundreds of terms in the frequency range 0-30 d-1. All the cross-checks confirmed this new result. The initial guess that delta Sct stars have a very rich frequency content is confirmed. The spectroscopic mode identification gives theoretical support since very high-degree modes (up to l=14) are identified. We also prove that cancellation effects are not sufficient in removing the flux variations associated to these modes at the noise level of the CoRoT measurements. The ground-based observations indicate that HD 50844 is an evolved star that is slightly underabundant in heavy elements, located on the Terminal Age Main Sequence. Probably due to this unfavourable evolutionary status, no clear regular distribution is observed in the frequency set. The predominant term (f_1=6.92 d-1) has been identified as the fundamental radial mode combining ground-based photometric and spectroscopic data. Conclusions

Led by the CNES space agency the CoRoT mission is born from a joint effort of France, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Germany, Spain and ESA. In orbit around the Earth, CoRoT started its first observations in February 2007 and is, now, regularly producing ten thousand light-curves with a very high accuracy. Performances are better than expected and some Hot Jupiters have already been detected in the raw data. Once the fully corrected data will be delivered, much smaller transits should be detected giving access to the hot Neptunes and the big Terrestrial planet families. We briefly describes the status of the mission, the inflight performance and the ground based program follow up strategy. We also present some preliminary results issued from a first analysis of the data.

At the time to submit papers for these proceedings, CoRoT will be launched in less than one month. The scientific programme, the instrument and the mission profile have been described in several places recently (e.g., Baglin et al. 2006, Michel et al. 2006a) and a dedicated volume (Fridlund et al. 2006) has been published, where these aspects are commented on in detail. In the present paper, we focus on a description of the nature and quality of the data expected from the CoRoT seismology observational programme. We thus first review a few specific aspects of the CoRoT instrument and mission profile necessary to have a clear idea of the nature and quantity of the data to come. Then, we produce data simulations for selected targets to illustrate the expected performance. In particular, we consider classical pulsators, extending the work initiated by Michel et al. (2006a) with solar-like pulsators.

International audience

The original publication is available at http://iopscience.iop.org/1538-3881/; International audience; We report here the first detection of hectometer-size objects by the method of serendipitous stellar occultation. This method consists of recording the diffraction shadow created when an object crosses the observer's line of sight and occults the disk of a background star. One of our detections is most consistent with an object between Saturn and Uranus. The two other diffraction patterns detected are caused by Kuiper Belt objects beyond 100 AU from the Sun and hence are the farthest known objects in the solar system. These detections show that the Kuiper Belt is much more extended than previously believed and that the outer part of the disk could be composed of smaller objects than the inner part. This gives critical clues to understanding the problem of the formation of the outer planets of the solar system.

International audience; Context: .Fitting photometry algorithms can be very effective provided that an accurate model of the instrumental point spread function (PSF) is available. When high-precision time-resolved photometry is required, however, the use of point-source star images as empirical PSF models can be unsatisfactory, due to the limits in their spatial resolution. Theoretically-derived models, on the other hand, are limited by the unavoidable assumption of simplifying hypothesis, while the use of analytical approximations is restricted to regularly-shaped PSFs. Aims: .This work investigates an innovative technique for space-based fitting photometry, based on the reconstruction of an empirical but properly-resolved PSF. The aim is the exploitation of arbitrary star images, including those produced under intentional defocus. The cases of both MOST and COROT, the first space telescopes dedicated to time-resolved stellar photometry, are considered in the evaluation of the effectiveness and performances of the proposed methodology. Methods: .PSF reconstruction is based on a set of star images, periodically acquired and presenting relative subpixel displacements due to motion of the acquisition system, in this case the jitter of the satellite attitude. Higher resolution is achieved through the solution of the inverse problem. The approach can be regarded as a special application of super-resolution techniques, though a specialised procedure is proposed to better meet the PSF determination problem specificities. The application of such a model to fitting photometry is illustrated by numerical simulations for COROT and on a complete set of observations from MOST. Results: .We verify that, in both scenarios, significantly better resolved PSFs can be estimated, leading to corresponding improvements in photometric results. For COROT, indeed, subpixel reconstruction enabled the successful use of fitting algorithms despite its rather complex PSF profile, which could hardly be modeled otherwise. For MOST, whose direct-imaging PSF is closer to the ordinary, comparison to other models or photometry techniques were carried out and confirmed the potential of PSF reconstruction in real observational conditions.

CoRoT (Convection, Rotation and Transit) is a mission of high-accuracy photometry with two scientific programmes: asteroseismology and planet finding, using CCDs as detectors. Ten 2048×4096 CCDs manufactured by E2V (42-80) were calibrated on Meudon test bench in order to choose the best ones for flight. A very high instrument stability is needed. Taking into account the environmental perturbations (temperature, attitude control system jitter, radiations, etc.) we studied sensitivity of CCD gain and quantum efficiency to temperature and sensitivity of the output signal to bias voltages. Special attention was paid to pixel capacity and noise sources coming from dark current and pixel response non-uniformity. The calibration results together with the expected voltages and temperature fluctuations are compared with the specifications.

The COROT project has been developed in the framework of the CNES small satellite programme, with European and Brazilian cooperation. It will be launched in 2006. It is dedicated to seismology and detection of telluric planets. It will perform relative broad-band photometry in visible light during very long (150 d) observing runs in the same direction, plus a number of short (10-20 d) observing runs. Both programmes will work simultaneously on the same region of the sky. The seismology programme aims to map the HR diagram and study in detail approximately 50 targets brighter than magnitude 9. The exoplanet programme will search for telluric planets slightly larger than the Earth orbiting around stars of magnitude 12 to 16, located in the habitable zone and closer. The data collected will also allow valuable seismic studies. A number of additional scientific programmes will also be conducted. The mission characteristics derived from the scientific objectives, the instrument and its performances for seismology, as well as preliminary observing plans, are presented.

The COROT project, developed in the framework of the CNES small satellite programme with a wide European cooperation, will be launched in 2004. It is dedicated to seismology and the detection of telluric planets. It will perform relative broad-band photometry in visible light, during very long (150 days) observing runs in the same direction. Both programmes are working simultaneously on the same region of the sky. The seismology programme aims at mapping the HR diagram and study in detail 50 targets brighter than 9th magnitude. Another 50 will also be observed with a lower accuracy. The exoplanet programme will search for telluric planets slightly larger than the Earth, in the habitable zone and closer. Its data will also address many seismology problems.

EVRIS is the first space experiment dedicated to asteroseismology. It is designed to measure the relative time variations of the flux of several bright stars and to detect their modes of pulsation. As the amplitudes of these oscillations should be very small (a few ppm), the instrument has to perform relative photometry with an extremely high accuracy, i.e. hundred times better than the classical accuracy reached from the ground. The experiment is composed of a star tracker and a photometer, mounted on a pointing platform PAIS. This paper describes the mechanical and optical design and the performance of EVRIS, as well as the properties of the pointing system. It is shown that the EVRIS/PAIS complex meets the scientific specifications for a list of targets well suited for asteroseismology. The EVRIS collaboration is composed of: G. Epstein, J.P. Michel, F. Rakotoarivelo, F. Roubaud and A. Mangeney Observatoire de Paris (DESPA) 92195 Meudon, France

The scientific objectives and the observational strategy of asteroseismology from space are presented. The projects proposed in different contexts are briefly reviewed, with a particular emphasis on the COROT experiment, now accepted for a launch in 2001 in the framework of the french “Petites Missions” program.

{We aim to detect and interpret photometric and spectroscopic variability of the bright CoRoT B-type supergiant target HD\,46769 ($V=5.79$). We also attempt to detect a magnetic field in the target.} {We analyse a 23-day oversampled CoRoT light curve after detrending, as well as spectroscopic follow-up data, by using standard Fourier analysis and Phase Dispersion Minimization methods. We determine the fundamental parameters of the star, as well as its abundances from the most prominent spectral lines. We perform a Monte Carlo analysis of spectropolarimetric data to obtain an upper limit of the polar magnetic field, assumping a dipole field.} {In the CoRoT data, we detect a dominant period of 4.84\,d with an amplitude of 87\,ppm, and some of its (sub-)multiples. Given the shape of the phase-folded light curve and the absence of binary motion, we interpret the dominant variability in terms of rotational modulation, with a rotation period of 9.69\,d. Subtraction of the rotational modulation signal does not reveal any sign of pulsations. Our results are consistent with the absence of variability in the Hipparcos light curve. The spectroscopy leads to a projected rotational velocity of 72$\pm 2$\,km\,s$^{-1}$ and does not reveal periodic variability nor the need to invoke macroturbulent line broadening. No signature of a magnetic field is detected in our data. A field stronger than $\sim 500$\,G at the poles can be excluded, unless the possible non-detected field were more complex than dipolar.} {The absence of pulsations and of macroturbulence of this evolved B-type supergiant is placed into context of instability computations and of observed variability of evolved B-type stars.}, Comment: 9 pages, 4 tables, 8 figures, accepted for publication in A&A

We concentrate on an asteroseismological study of HD 261711, a rather hot delta Scuti type pulsating member of the young open cluster NGC 2264 located at the blue border of the instability region. HD 261711 was discovered to be a pre-main sequence delta Scuti star using the time series photometry obtained by the MOST satellite in 2006. High-precision, time-series photometry of HD 261711 was obtained by the MOST and CoRoT satellites in 4 separate new observing runs that are put into context with the star's fundamental atmospheric parameters obtained from spectroscopy. With the new MOST data set from 2011/12 and the two CoRoT light curves from 2008 and 2011/12, the delta Scuti variability was confirmed and regular groups of frequencies were discovered. The two pulsation frequencies identified in the data from the first MOST observing run in 2006 are confirmed and 23 new delta Scuti-type frequencies were discovered using the CoRoT data. Weighted average frequencies for each group are related to l=0 and l=1 p-modes. Evidence for amplitude modulation of the frequencies in two groups is seen. The effective temperature was derived to be 8600$\pm$200 K, log g is 4.1$\pm$0.2, and the projected rotational velocity is 53$\pm$1km/s. Using our Teff value and the radius of 1.8$\pm$0.5 Rsun derived from SED fitting, we get a log L/Lsun of 1.20$\pm$0.14 which agrees well to the seismologically determined values of 1.65 Rsun and, hence, a log L/Lsun of 1.13. The radial velocity of 14$\pm$2 km/s we derived for HD 261711, confirms the star's membership to NGC 2264. Our asteroseismic models suggest that HD 261711 is a delta Scuti-type star close to the zero-age main sequence (ZAMS) with a mass of 1.8 to 1.9Msun. HD 261711 is either a young ZAMS star or a late PMS star just before the onset of hydrogen-core burning., Comment: 12 pages, 13 figures, A&A accepted

The numerous results obtained with asteroseismology thanks to space missions such as CoRoT and Kepler are providing a new insight on stellar evolution. After five years of observations, CoRoT is going on providing high-quality data. We present here the analysis of the double star HD169392 complemented by ground-based spectroscopic observations. This work aims at characterizing the fundamental parameters of the two stars, their chemical composition, the acoustic-mode global parameters including their individual frequencies, and their dynamics. We have analysed HARPS observations of the two stars to retrieve their chemical compositions. Several methods have been used and compared to measure the global properties of acoustic modes and their individual frequencies from the photometric data of CoRoT. The new spectroscopic observations and archival astrometric values suggest that HD169392 is a wide binary system weakly bounded. We have obtained the spectroscopic parameters for both components, suggesting the origin from the same cloud. However, only the mode signature of HD169392 A has been measured within the CoRoT data. The signal-to-noise ratio of the modes in HD169392B is too low to allow any confident detection. We were able to extract mode parameters of modes for l=0, 1, 2, and 3. The study of the splittings and inclination angle gives two possible solutions with splittings and inclination angles of 0.4-1.0 muHz and 20-40 degrees for one case and 0.2-0.5 muHz and 55-86 degrees for the other case. The modeling of this star with the Asteroseismic Modeling Portal led to a mass of 1.15+/-0.01 Ms, a radius of 1.88+/-0.02 Rs, and an age of 4.33+/-0.12 Gyr, where the uncertainties are the internal ones., Comment: 13 pages, 12 Figures, Accepted for publication in A&A

We report the discovery of two transiting exoplanets, CoRoT-25b and CoRoT-26b, both of low density, one of which is in the Saturn mass-regime. For each star, ground-based complementary observations through optical photometry and radial velocity measurements secured the planetary nature of the transiting body and allowed us to fully characterize them. For CoRoT-25b we found a planetary mass of 0.27 ± 0.04 M Jup , a radius of 1.08-0.10 +0.3 R Jup and hence a mean density of 0.15-0.06 +0.15 g cm-3 . The planet orbits an F9 main-sequence star in a 4.86-day period, that has a V magnitude of 15.0, solar metallicity, and an age of 4.5-2.0 +1.8 -Gyr. CoRoT-26b orbits a slightly evolved G5 star of 9.06 ± 1.5-Gyr age in a 4.20-day period that hassolar metallicity and a V magnitude of 15.8. With a mass of 0.52 ± 0.05 M Jup , a radius of 1.26-0.07 +0.13 R Jup , and a mean density of 0.28-0.07 +0.09 g cm-3 , it belongs to the low-mass hot-Jupiter population. Planetary evolution models allowed us to estimate a core mass of a few tens of Earth mass for the two planets with heavy-element mass fractions of 0.52-0.15 +0.08 and 0.26-0.08 +0.05 , respectively, assuming that a small fraction of the incoming flux is dissipated at the center of the planet. In addition, these models indicate that CoRoT-26b is anomalously large compared with what standard models could account for, indicating that dissipation from stellar heating could cause this size.

The CoRoT short asteroseismic runs give us the opportunity to observe a large variety of late-type stars through their solar-like oscillations. We report the observation and modeling of the F5V star HD 175272. Our aim is to define a method for extracting as much information as possible from a noisy oscillation spectrum. We followed a differential approach that consists of using a well-known star as a reference to characterize another star. We used classical tools such as the envelope autocorrelation function to derive the global seismic parameters of the star. We compared HD 175272 with HD 181420 through a linear approach, because they appear to be asteroseismic twins. The comparison with the reference star enables us to substantially enhance the scientific output for HD 175272. First, we determined its global characteristics through a detailed seismic analysis of HD 181420. Second, with our differential approach, we measured the difference of mass, radius and age between HD 175272 and HD 181420. We have developed a general method able to derive asteroseismic constraints on a star even in case of low-quality data. %This method is based on the comparison to a star with common seismic and classical properties. Seismic data allow accurate measurements of radii and masses differences between the two stars. This method can be applied to stars with interesting properties but low signal-to-noise ratio oscillation spectrum, such as stars hosting an exoplanet or members of a binary system., Comment: Accepted in A&A

This paper reports on the fifth STEPHI multi-site photometric campaign in 1993 devoted to the δ Scuti star BDS 1269A (VW Ari). The observation yielded a data set of 150.7 hours. Our analysis has resulted in 7 identified frequencies. These frequencies exhibit three couple-frequency character, and also fit the previous investigations quite well. An attempt to identify the pulsation modes is made, but no equidistant evidence can be detected, and a second-order effect for rotational splitting has to be considered to explain the complicated nature of BDS 1269A.

CoRoT-21, a F8IV star of magnitude V = 16 mag, was observed by the space telescope CoRoT during the Long Run 01 (LRa01) in the first winter field (constellation Monoceros) from October 2007 to March 2008. Transits were discovered during the light curve processing. Radial velocity follow-up observations, however, were performed mainly by the 10-m Keck telescope in January 2010. The companion CoRoT-21b is a Jupiter-like planet of 2.26 ± 0.33 Jupiter masses and 1.30 ± 0.14 Jupiter radii in an circular orbit of semi-major axis 0.0417 ± 0.0011 AU and an orbital period of 2.72474 ± 0.00014 days. The planetary bulk density is (1.36 ± 0.48) × 103 kg m-3, very similar to the bulk density of Jupiter, and follows an M1/3 − R relation like Jupiter. The F8IV star is a sub-giant star of 1.29 ± 0.09 solar masses and 1.95 ± 0.2 solar radii. The star and the planet exchange extremetidal forces that will lead to orbital decay and extreme spin-up of the stellar rotation within 800 Myr if the stellar dissipation is Q∗/k2∗ ≤ 107. CoRoT-21, a F8IV star of magnitude V = 16 mag, was observed by the space telescope CoRoT during the Long Run 01 (LRa01) in the first winter field (constellation Monoceros) from October 2007 to March 2008. Transits were discovered during the light curve processing. Radial velocity follow-up observations, however, were performed mainly by the 10-m Keck telescope in January 2010. The companion CoRoT-21b is a Jupiter-like planet of 2.26 ± 0.33 Jupiter masses and 1.30 ± 0.14 Jupiter radii in an circular orbit of semi-major axis 0.0417 ± 0.0011 AU and an orbital period of 2.72474 ± 0.00014 days. The planetary bulk density is (1.36 ± 0.48) × 103 kg m-3, very similar to the bulk density of Jupiter, and follows an M1/3 - R relation like Jupiter. The F8IV star is a sub-giant star of 1.29 ± 0.09 solar masses and 1.95 ± 0.2 solar radii. The star and the planet exchange extremetidal forces that will lead to orbital decay and extreme spin-up of the stellar rotation within 800 Myr if the stellar dissipation is Q∗/k2∗ ≤ 107. The CoRoT space mission, launched on December 27th 2006, has been developed and is operated by CNES, with the contribution of Austria, Belgium, Brazil, ESA (RSSD and Science Programme), Germany and Spain.

We present the results obtained with the CoRoT satellite for HD 50870, a Delta Sct star which was observed for 114.4 d. The 307,570 CoRoT datapoints were analysed with different techniques. The photometric observations were complemented over 15 nights of high-resolution spectroscopy with HARPS on a baseline of 25 d. Some uvby photometric observations were also obtained to better characterize the pulsation modes. HD 50870 proved to be a low-amplitude, long-period spectroscopic binary system seen almost pole-on (i~21 deg. The brighter component, which also has the higher rotational velocity (v sin i=37.5 km/s), is a delta Sct-type variable. There is a dominant axisymmetric mode (17.16 c/d). After the detection of about 250 terms (corresponding to an amplitude of about 0.045 mmag) a flat plateau appears in the power spectrum in the low-frequency region up to about 35 c/d. We were able to detect this plateau only thanks to the short cadence sampling of the CoRoT measurements (32 s). The density distribution vs. frequency of the detected frequencies seems rule out the possibility that this plateau is the result of a process with a continuum power spectrum. The spacings of the strongest modes suggest a quasi-periodic pattern. We failed to find a satisfactory seismic model that simultaneously matches the frequency range, the position in the HR diagram, and the quasi-periodic pattern interpreted as a large separation. Nineteen modes were detected spectroscopically from the line profile variations and associated to the photometric ones. Tentative l,m values have been attributed to the modes detected spectroscopically. Prograde as well as retrograde modes are present with l degree values up to 9. There are no traces of variability induced by solar-like oscillations., 14 pages, 21 figures. Accepted for publication in A&A

We report the discovery by the CoRoT space mission of a new giant planet, CoRoT-20b. The planet has a mass of 4.24 +/- 0.23 MJ and a radius of 0.84 +/- 0.04 RJ. With a mean density of 8.87 +/- 1.10 g/cm^3, it is among the most compact planets known so far. Evolution models for the planet suggest a mass of heavy elements of the order of 800 ME if embedded in a central core, requiring a revision either of the planet formation models or of planet evolution and structure models. We note however that smaller amounts of heavy elements are expected from more realistic models in which they are mixed throughout the envelope. The planet orbits a G-type star with an orbital period of 9.24 days and an eccentricity of 0.56. The star's projected rotational velocity is vsini = 4.5 +/- 1.0 km/s, corresponding to a spin period of 11.5 +/- 3.1 days if its axis of rotation is perpendicular to the orbital plane. In the framework of Darwinian theories and neglecting stellar magnetic breaking, we calculate the tidal evolution of the system and show that CoRoT-20b is presently one of the very few Darwin-stable planets that is evolving towards a triple synchronous state with equality of the orbital, planetary and stellar spin periods.

Context. CoRoT is a pioneering space mission whose primary goals are stellar seismology and extrasolar planets search. Its surveys of large stellar fields generate numerous planetary candidates whose lightcurves have transit-like features. An extensive analytical and observational follow-up effort is undertaken to classify these candidates.Aims. We present the list of planetary transit candidates from the CoRoT LRa01 star field in the Monoceros constellation toward the Galactic anti-center direction. The CoRoT observations of LRa01 lasted from 24 October 2007 to 3 March 2008.Methods. We acquired and analyzed 7470 chromatic and 3938 monochromatic lightcurves. Instrumental noise and stellar variability were treated with several filtering tools by different teams from the CoRoT community. Different transit search algorithms were applied to the lightcurves.Results. Fifty-one stars were classified as planetary transit candidates in LRa01. Thirty-seven (i.e., 73% of all candidates) are “good” planetary candidates based on photometric analysis only. Thirty-two (i.e., 87% of the “good” candidates) have been followed-up. At the time of writing twenty-two cases were solved and five planets were discovered: three transiting hot-Jupiters (CoRoT-5b, CoRoT-12b, and CoRoT-21b), the first terrestrial transiting planet (CoRoT-7b), and another planet in the same system (CoRoT-7c, detected by radial velocity survey only). Evidence of another non-transiting planet in the CoRoT-7 system, namely CoRoT-7d, was recently found as well. Context. The space mission CoRoT is devoted to the analysis of stellar variability and the photometric detection of extrasolar planets. Aims: We present the list of planetary transit candidates detected in the first short run observed by CoRoT that targeted SRc01, towards the Galactic center in the direction of Aquila, which lasted from April to May 2007. Methods: Among the acquired data, we analyzed those for 1269 sources in the chromatic bands and 5705 in the monochromatic band. Instrumental noise and the stellar variability were treated with several detrending tools, to which several transit-search algorithms were subsequently applied. Results: Fifty-one sources were classified as planetary transit candidates and 26 were followed up with ground-based observations. Until now, no planet has been detected in the CoRoT data from the SRc01 field. The CoRoT space mission, launched on December 27th 2006, has been developed and is operated by CNES, with contributions from Austria, Belgium, Brazil, ESA, Germany, and Spain. The CoRoT data are available to the community from the CoRoT archive: http://idoc-corot.ias.u-psud.frBased in part on observations made with the 1.93-m telescope at Observatoire de Haute Provence (CNRS), France (SOPHIE Program 08A.PNP.MOUT).Based in part on observations made with the ESO-3.60-m telescope at La Silla Observatory (ESO), Chile (HARPS Program ESO - 081.C-0388) and with the ESO-VLT telescope at Paranal Observatory (ESO), Chile (FLAMES Program ESO - 081.C-0413).

B-type stars are promising targets for asteroseismic modelling, since their frequency spectrum is relatively simple. We deduce and summarise observational constraints for the hybrid pulsator, HD50230, earlier reported to have deviations from a uniform period spacing of its gravity modes. The combination of spectra and a high-quality light curve measured by the CoRoT satellite allow a combined approach to fix the position of HD50230 in the HR diagram. To describe the observed pulsations, classical Fourier analysis was combined with short-time Fourier transformations and frequency spacing analysis techniques. Visual spectra were used to constrain the projected rotation rate of the star and the fundamental parameters of the target. In a first approximation, the combined information was used to interpret multiplets and spacings to infer the true surface rotation rate and a rough estimate of the inclination angle. We identify HD50230 as a spectroscopic binary and characterise the two components. We detect the simultaneous presence of high-order g modes and low-order p and g-modes in the CoRoT light curve, but were unable to link them to line profile variations in the spectroscopic time series. We extract the relevant information from the frequency spectrum, which can be used for seismic modelling, and explore possible interpretations of the pressure mode spectrum., Comment: 26 pages, 12+6 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics

Aims. We report the discovery of CoRoT-16b, a low density hot jupiter that orbits a faint G5V star (mV = 15.63) in 5.3523 ± 0.0002 days with slight eccentricity. A fit of the data with no a priori assumptions on the orbit leads to an eccentricity of 0.33 ± 0.1. We discuss this value and also derive the mass and radius of the planet.Methods. We analyse the photometric transit curve of CoRoT-16 given by the CoRoT satellite, and radial velocity data from the HARPS and HIRES spectrometers. A combined analysis using a Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm is used to get the system parameters.Results. CoRoT-16b is a 0.535 −0.083/+0.085 MJ, 1.17 −0.14/+0.16 RJ hot Jupiter with a density of 0.44 −0.14/+0.21 g cm-3. Despite its short orbital distance (0.0618 ± 0.0015 AU) and the age of the parent star (6.73 ± 2.8 Gyr), the planet orbit exhibits significantly non-zero eccentricity. This is very uncommon for this type of objects as tidal effects tend to circularise the orbit. This value is discussed taking into account the characteristics of the star and the observation accuracy. Aims: We report the discovery of CoRoT-16b, a low density hot jupiter that orbits a faint G5V star (mV = 15.63) in 5.3523 ± 0.0002 days with slight eccentricity. A fit of the data with no a priori assumptions on the orbit leads to an eccentricity of 0.33 ± 0.1. We discuss this value and also derive the mass and radius of the planet. Methods: We analyse the photometric transit curve of CoRoT-16 given by the CoRoT satellite, and radial velocity data from the HARPS and HIRES spectrometers. A combined analysis using a Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm is used to get the system parameters. Results: CoRoT-16b is a 0.535 -0.083/+0.085 MJ, 1.17 -0.14/+0.16 RJ hot Jupiter with a density of 0.44 -0.14/+0.21 g cm-3. Despite its short orbital distance (0.0618 ± 0.0015 AU) and the age of the parent star (6.73 ± 2.8 Gyr), the planet orbit exhibits significantly non-zero eccentricity. This is very uncommon for this type of objects as tidal effects tend to circularise the orbit. This value is discussed taking into account the characteristics of the star and the observation accuracy. The CoRoT space mission, launched on December 27, 2006, has been developed and is operated by the CNES with the contribution of Austria, Belgium, Brasil, ESA, Germany, and Spain.Observations made with the HARPS spectrograph at ESO La Silla Observatory (HARPS programs 083.C-0186 and 184.C-0639) and the HIRES spectrograph at the Keck Observatory (NASA-Keck programs N035Hr, N143Hr and N095Hr).

Context: CoRoT is a pioneering space mission whose primary goals are stellar seismology and extrasolar planets search. Its surveys of large stellar fields generate numerous planetary candidates whose lightcurves have transit-like features. An extensive analytical and observational follow-up effort is undertaken to classify these candidates. Aims: The list of planetary transit candidates from the CoRoT LRa01 star field in the Monoceros constellation towards the Galactic anti-center is presented. The CoRoT observations of LRa01 lasted from 24 October 2007 to 3 March 2008. Methods: 7470 chromatic and 3938 monochromatic lightcurves were acquired and analysed. Instrumental noise and stellar variability were treated with several filtering tools by different teams from the CoRoT community. Different transit search algorithms were applied to the lightcurves. Results: Fifty-one stars were classified as planetary transit candidates in LRa01. Thirty-seven (i.e., 73 % of all candidates) are "good" planetary candidates based on photometric analysis only. Thirty-two (i.e., 87 % of the "good" candidates) have been followed-up. At the time of this writing twenty-two cases have been solved and five planets have been discovered: three transiting hot-Jupiters (CoRoT-5b, CoRoT-12b, and CoRoT-21b), the first terrestrial transiting planet (CoRoT-7b), and another planet in the same system (CoRoT-7c, detected by radial velocity survey only). Evidences of another non-transiting planet in the CoRoT-7 system, namely CoRoT-7d, have been recently found., Comment: 30 pages, 15 figures, accepted for publication in A&A, Section 14 "Catalogs and Data"

In this paper, the CoRoT Exoplanet Science Team announces its 14th discovery. Herein, we discuss the observations and analyses that allowed us to derive the parameters of this system: a hot Jupiter with a mass of $7.6 \pm 0.6$ Jupiter masses orbiting a solar-type star (F9V) with a period of only 1.5 d, less than 5 stellar radii from its parent star. It is unusual for such a massive planet to have such a small orbit: only one other known exoplanet with a higher mass orbits with a shorter period., 7 pages, 10 figures, accepted to Astronomy and Astrophysics

Tentatives to detect chaos in variable stars are presented. Constraints on the accuracy on individual measurements and length of the records, necessary to obtain defenitive conclusions, are discussed. Some directions for future improvements are sketched.

By a large number of high-precision photoelectric photometry data obtained in three sites, making use of the method of Fourier Period Analysis, the multiple frequencies of HD213534 have been obtained. Five frequencies have been definitely detected. Through the discussion of the pulsation modes of the star, we tended to believe that it is a multiple frequency pulsation variable and the nonradial pulsation is the main pulsation mode.

Convection in red giant stars excites resonant acoustic waves whose frequencies depend on the sound speed inside the star, which in turn depends on the properties of the stellar interior. Therefore, asteroseismology is the most robust available method for probing the internal structure of red giant stars. Solar-like oscillations in the red giant HR7349 are investigated. Our study is based on a time series of 380760 photometric measurements spread over 5 months obtained with the CoRoT satellite. Mode parameters were estimated using maximum likelihood estimation of the power spectrum. The power spectrum of the high-precision time series clearly exhibits several identifiable peaks between 19 and 40 uHz showing regularity with a mean large and small spacing of Dnu = 3.47+-0.12 uHz and dnu_02 = 0.65+-0.10 uHz. Nineteen individual modes are identified with amplitudes in the range from 35 to 115 ppm. The mode damping time is estimated to be 14.7+4.7-2.9 days., 8 pages, A&A accepted

Of the over 400 known1 exoplanets, there are about 70 planets that transit their central star, a situation that permits the derivation of their basic parameters and facilitates investigations of their atmospheres. Some short-period planets2, including the first terrestrial exoplanet3,4 (CoRoT-7b), have been discovered using a space mission5 designed to find smaller and more distant planets than can be seen from the ground. Here we report transit observations of CoRoT-9b, which orbits with a period of 95.274 days on a low eccentricity of 0.11 ± 0.04 around a solar-like star. Its periastron distance of 0.36 astronomical units is by far the largest of all transiting planets, yielding a ‘temperate’ photospheric temperature estimated to be between 250 and 430 K. Unlike previously known transiting planets, the present size of CoRoT-9b should not have been affected by tidal heat dissipation processes. Indeed, the planet is found to be well described by standard evolution models6 with an inferred interior composition consistent with that of Jupiter and Saturn.

International audience; HR 7349 is a bright [ V=5.8] red giant observed by CoRoT in the seismofield of the first long run. The outstanding CoRoT light curve allowed the detection of several solar-like oscillation modes (both radial and non-radial). On top of these seismic constraints, our observational knowledge on HR 7349 benefits as well from a precise parallax and detailed spectroscopic constraints. We present all the observational constraints that are available for the theoretical modelling of this most promising target.

The space telescope CoRoT searches for transiting extrasolar planets by continuously monitoring the optical flux of thousands of stars in several fields of view. We report the discovery of CoRoT-10b, a giant planet on a highly eccentric orbit (e=0.53 +/- 0.04) revolving in 13.24 days around a faint (V=15.22) metal-rich K1V star. We use CoRoT photometry, radial velocity observations taken with the HARPS spectrograph, and UVES spectra of the parent star to derive the orbital, stellar and planetary parameters. We derive a radius of the planet of 0.97 +/- 0.07 R_Jup and a mass of 2.75 +/- 0.16 M_Jup. The bulk density, rho_pl=3.70 +/- 0.83 g/cm^3, is ~2.8 that of Jupiter. The core of CoRoT-10b could contain up to 240 M_Earth of heavy elements. Moving along its eccentric orbit, the planet experiences a 10.6-fold variation in insolation. Owing to the long circularisation time, tau_circ > 7 Gyr, a resonant perturber is not required to excite and maintain the high eccentricity of CoRoT-10b.

P-modes observed in red giants are acoustic resonances similar to those observed in the Sun, stochastically excited by turbulent convection. The high-quality and quasi-uninterrupted space data obtained by CoRoT allow us to make a big step forward in the study of such oscillations in red giants by increasing significantly the number of stars for which such oscillations can be detected. We present here the data analysis of a sample of red giants observed during the first long run of CoRoT (142 days). Detailed p-modes properties are estimated with a particular emphasis on the frequency spacings (© 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

The predictive power of current stellar evolution models is limited by the fact that little is known about the mixing process occurring at the stellar core. In theory, massive stars such as HD 50230 — seven times the mass of the Sun — should be ideal models for seismic probing of the stellar core via the distinct signature they leave in the gravity mode spectrum as it propagates from the core to the stellar surface. These gravity modes have now been detected observationally, in a continuous photometric light curve for HD 50230 collected with the CoRoT satellite. The data make it possible to estimate the extent of the convective core and constrain the location of the chemical transition zone at about 10% of the stellar radius. Measuring the oscillations of a star can allow the various mixing processes in its interior to be disentangled, through the signature they leave on period spacings in the gravity mode spectrum. Here numerous gravity modes in a young star of about seven solar masses are reported: the mean period spacing enables the extent of the convective core to be determined, and the clear periodic deviation from the mean constrains the location of the chemical transition zone — at about 10 per cent of the radius. The life of a star is dominantly determined by the physical processes in the stellar interior. Unfortunately, we still have a poor understanding of how the stellar gas mixes near the stellar core, preventing precise predictions of stellar evolution1. The unknown nature of the mixing processes as well as the extent of the central mixed region is particularly problematic for massive stars2. Oscillations in stars with masses a few times that of the Sun offer a unique opportunity to disentangle the nature of various mixing processes, through the distinct signature they leave on period spacings in the gravity mode spectrum3. Here we report the detection of numerous gravity modes in a young star with a mass of about seven solar masses. The mean period spacing allows us to estimate the extent of the convective core, and the clear periodic deviation from the mean constrains the location of the chemical transition zone to be at about 10 per cent of the radius and rules out a clear-cut profile.

We aim to interpret the photometric and spectroscopic variability of the luminous blue variable supergiant HD\,50064 ($V=8.21$).CoRoT space photometry and follow-up high-resolution spectroscopy, with a time base of 137\,d and 169\,d, respectively, was gathered, analysed and interpreted using standard time series analysis and light curve modelling methods as well as spectral line diagnostics.The space photometry reveals one period of 37\,d, which undergoes a sudden amplitude change with a factor 1.6. The pulsation period is confirmed in the spectroscopy, which additionally reveals metal line radial velocity values differing by $\sim 30\,$km\,s$^{-1}$ depending on the spectral line and on the epoch. We estimate \teff$\sim$13\,500\,K, \logg$\sim$1.5 from the equivalent width of Si lines. The Balmer lines reveal that the star undergoes episodes of changing mass loss on a time scale similar to the changes in the photometric and spectroscopic variability, with an average value of $\log\dot{\rm M}\simeq-5$ (in M$_\odot$\,yr$^{-1}$). We tentatively interpret the 37\,d period as due to a strange mode oscillation., Comment: 4 pages, accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics Letters

International audience; Context. The CoRoT - Convection Rotation and planetary Transits - space mission is a great opportunity for monitoring stars with excellent time-sampling and unprecedented photometric precision for up to 150 days. As an important benefit, high-quality RR Lyrae light curves are obtained with a quasi-uninterrupted coverage over several pulsation and Blazhko cycles. Aims: The Blazhko effect in RR Lyrae stars is an unsolved problem of astrophysics. We used the high-precision space data to contribute more precise knowledge to explain the possible physical processes behind the phenomenon. Methods: We applied different period-finding techniques including Period04, MuFrAn, PDM and SigSpec. Amplitude and phase modulation were investigated by an analytical function method as well as with the traditional O-C diagrams. Results: The Blazhko modulation frequency is directly detected in the spectrum, as well as its first and second harmonics. It shows the non-linear nature of the Blazhko modulation. Besides the triplets, further higher-order modulation side peaks appear around the pulsation frequency as quintuplet, septuplet, nonuplet, undecaplet, tredecaplet, quindecaplet and sepdecaplet structures. Additional frequencies, not belonging to the classical multiplet structures, are detected, as well as their linear combinations with the fundamental radial mode. We interpret these additional terms as non-radial modes. During the five consecutive Blazhko cycles, there is a shift of the maximum phase around 0.011 pulsation phase which is likely the consequence of a long term modulation.

The CoRoT and Kepler satellites have provided thousands of red-giant oscillation spectra. The analysis of these spectra requires efficient methods for identifying all eigenmode parameters. The assumption of new scaling laws allows us to construct a theoretical oscillation pattern. We then obtain a highly precise determination of the large separation by correlating the observed patterns with this reference. We demonstrate that this pattern is universal and are able to unambiguously assign the eigenmode radial orders and angular degrees. This solves one of the current outstanding problems of asteroseismology hence allowing precise theoretical investigation of red-giant interiors., Comment: Accepted in A&A letters

Seismology of stars provides insight into the physical mechanisms taking place in their interior, with modes of oscillation probing different layers. Low-amplitude acoustic oscillations excited by turbulent convection were detected four decades ago in the Sun and more recently in low-mass main-sequence stars. Using data gathered by the Convection Rotation and Planetary Transits mission, we report here on the detection of solar-like oscillations in a massive star, V1449 Aql, which is a known large-amplitude (b Cephei) pulsator., Published in Sience, 19 June 2009, vol. 324, p. 1540

In this short paper, we study the photometric precision of stellar light curves obtained by the CoRoT satellite in its planet finding channel, with a particular emphasis on the timescales characteristic of planetary transits. Together with other articles in the same issue of this journal, it forms an attempt to provide the building blocks for a statistical interpretation of the CoRoT planet and eclipsing binary catch to date. After pre-processing the light curves so as to minimise long-term variations and outliers, we measure the scatter of the light curves in the first three CoRoT runs lasting more than 1 month, using an iterative non-linear filter to isolate signal on the timescales of interest. The bevhaiour of the noise on 2h timescales is well-described a power-law with index 0.25 in R-magnitude, ranging from 0.1mmag at R=11.5 to 1mmag at R=16, which is close to the pre-launch specification, though still a factor 2-3 above the photon noise due to residual jitter noise and hot pixel events. There is evidence for a slight degradation of the performance over time. We find clear evidence for enhanced variability on hours timescales (at the level of 0.5 mmag) in stars identified as likely giants from their R-magnitude and B-V colour, which represent approximately 60 and 20% of the observed population in the direction of Aquila and Monoceros respectively. On the other hand, median correlated noise levels over 2h for dwarf stars are extremely low, reaching 0.05mmag at the bright end., Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in A&A

CoRoT is a space telescope dedicated to stellar seismology and the search for extrasolar planets. The mission is led by CNES in association with French laboratories and has a large international participation: the European Space Agency (ESA), Austria, Belgium and Germany contribute to the payload, and Spain and Brazil contribute to the ground segment. Development of the spacecraft, which is based on a PROTEUS low earth orbit recurrent platform, commenced in October 2000 and the satellite was launched on December 27th 2006. The instrument and platform characteristics prior to launch have been described in ESA publication (SP-1306) . In the present paper we detail the behaviour in flight, based on raw and corrected data. Five runs have been completed since January 2007. The data used here are essentially those acquired during the commissioning phase and from a long run which lasted 146 days, these enable us to give a complete overview of the instrument and platform behaviour for all environmental conditions. The ground based data processing is not described in detail, the most important method being published elsewhere. It is shown that the performance specifications are easily satisfied when the environmental conditions are favourable. Most of the perturbations, and consequently data corrections, are related to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) perturbations: high energy particles inside the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA), eclipses and temperature variations, and line of sight fluctuations due to the attitude control system. Straylight due to the reflected light from the earth, which is controlled by the telescope and baffle design, appears to be negligible., 14 pages ; 30 figures ; accepted for publication in A&A

It has been suggested that the detection of a wealth of very low amplitude modes in Delta Sct stars was only a matter of signal--to--noise ratio. Access to this treasure, impossible from the ground, is one of the scientific aims of the space mission CoRoT, developed and operated by CNES. This work presents the results obtained on HD 50844: the 140,016 datapoints allowed us to reach the level of 10^{-5} mag in the amplitude spectra. The frequency analysis of the CoRoT timeseries revealed hundreds of terms in the frequency range 0--30 d^{-1}. The initial guess that Delta Sct stars have a very rich frequency content is confirmed. The spectroscopic mode identification gives theoretical support since very high--degree modes (up to ell=14) are identified. We also prove that cancellation effects are not sufficient in removing the flux variations associated to these modes at the noise level of the CoRoT measurements. The ground--based observations indicate that HD 50844 is an evolved star that is slightly underabundant in heavy elements, located on the Terminal Age Main Sequence. The predominant term (f_1=6.92 d^{-1}) has been identified as the fundamental radial mode combining ground-based photometric and spectroscopic data. This work is based on observations made with ESO telescopes under the Large Programme LP 178.D-0361., Comment: Proceedings of the International Conference "Stellar Pulsation: Challenges for Theory and Observation", AIP, Vol.1170, p. 435