KELT-9 and its ultra-hot Jupiter: stellar parameters, composition, and planetary pollution

TL;DR

This study provides a comprehensive chemical analysis of the star KELT-9, revealing element detections and assessing planetary pollution, mass loss, and stellar mixing effects in the context of its ultra-hot Jupiter companion.

Contribution

It offers the first detailed chemical comparison of KELT-9 and its planet, including new element detections and pollution analysis, enhancing understanding of star-planet interactions.

Findings

Detected Na and Y in the star, completing the elemental comparison with the planet.

Found no strong chemical anomalies indicating recent planetary material pollution.

Ruled out recent, significant mass transfer events like exomoon ingestion.

Abstract

KELT-9b is an ultra-hot Jupiter observed to be undergoing extreme mass loss. Its A0-type host star has a radiative envelope, which makes its surface layers prone to retaining recently accreted material. To search for potential signs of planetary material polluting the stellar surface, we carry out the most comprehensive chemical characterisation of KELT-9 to-date. New element detections include Na and Y, which had previously been detected in the ultra-hot Jupiter but not studied in the star; these detections complete the set of nine elements measured in both star and planet. In comparing KELT-9 with similar open cluster stars we find no strong anomalies. This finding is consistent with calculations of photospheric pollution accounting for stellar mixing and using observationally estimated KELT-9b mass loss rates. We also rule out recent, short-lived intensive mass transfer such as the stellar ingestion of an Earth-mass exomoon.