55 Cancri e’s occultation captured with CHEOPS

Astronomy and Astrophysics, vol. 669, pp. A64

Abstract

Past occultation and phase-curve observations of the ultra-short period super-Earth 55 Cnc e obtained at visible and infrared wavelengths have been challenging to reconcile with a planetary reflection and emission model. In this study, we analyse a set of 41 occultations obtained over a two-year timespan with the CHEOPS satellite. We report the detection of 55 Cnc e’s occultation with an average depth of 12 ± 3 ppm. We derive a corresponding 2 σ upper limit on the geometric albedo of A g < 0.55 once decontaminated from the thermal emission measured by Spitzer at 4.5 µm. CHEOPS’s photometric performance enables, for the first time, the detection of individual occultations of this super-Earth in the visible and identifies short-timescale photometric corrugations likely induced by stellar granulation. We also find a clear 47.3-day sinusoidal pattern in the time-dependent occultation depths that we are unable to relate to stellar noise, nor instrumental systematics, but whose planetary origin could be tested with upcoming JWST occultation observations of this iconic super-Earth.

Authors 76

1. Brice-Olivier Demory

   University of Bern · Center for Space and Habitability

   Affiliation as printed

   Center for Space and Habitability, University of Bern, Gesellschaftsstrasse 6, 3012 Bern, Switzerland

   Physikalisches Institut, University of Bern, Sidlerstrasse 5, 3012 Bern, Switzerland

2. S. Sulis

   Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique · Aix-Marseille Université

   Affiliation as printed

   Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, CNES, LAM, 38 rue Frédéric Joliot-Curie, 13388 Marseille, France

3. Erik A. Meier Valdés

   University of Bern · Center for Space and Habitability

   Affiliation as printed

   Center for Space and Habitability, University of Bern, Gesellschaftsstrasse 6, 3012 Bern, Switzerland

4. L. Delrez

   University of Liège

   Affiliation as printed

   Astrobiology Research Unit, Université de Liège, Allée du 6 Août 19C, 4000 Liège, Belgium

   Space sciences, Technologies and Astrophysics Research (STAR) Institute, Université de Liège, Allée du 6 Août 19C, 4000 Liège, Belgium

5. A. Brandeker

   Stockholm University · AlbaNova

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Astronomy, Stockholm University, AlbaNova University Center, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden

6. N. Billot

   University of Geneva

   Affiliation as printed

   Observatoire Astronomique de l’Université de Genève, Chemin Pegasi 51, 1290 Versoix, Switzerland

   Observatoire Astronomique de l'Université de Genève, Chemin Pegasi 51, 1290 Versoix, Switzerland

7. A. Fortier

   University of Bern · Center for Space and Habitability

   Affiliation as printed

   Center for Space and Habitability, University of Bern, Gesellschaftsstrasse 6, 3012 Bern, Switzerland

   Physikalisches Institut, University of Bern, Sidlerstrasse 5, 3012 Bern, Switzerland

8. S. Hoyer

   University of Bern

   Affiliation as printed

   Physikalisches Institut, University of Bern, Sidlerstrasse 5, 3012 Bern, Switzerland

9. S. G. Sousa

   Universidade do Porto · Institute of Astrophysics and Space Sciences · Centro de Astrofísica da Universidade do Porto

   Affiliation as printed

   Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciencias do Espaco, Universidade do Porto, CAUP, Rua das Estrelas, 4150-762 Porto, Portugal

10. Kevin Heng

    University of Bern · University of Warwick · Center for Space and Habitability

    Affiliation as printed

    Center for Space and Habitability, University of Bern, Gesellschaftsstrasse 6, 3012 Bern, Switzerland

    Department of Physics, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK

11. M. Lendl

    Stockholm University · AlbaNova

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Astronomy, Stockholm University, AlbaNova University Center, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden

12. A. Krenn

    University of Geneva · Austrian Academy of Sciences · Space Research Institute

    Affiliation as printed

    Observatoire Astronomique de l’Université de Genève, Chemin Pegasi 51, 1290 Versoix, Switzerland

    Space Research Institute, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Schmiedlstrasse 6, 8042 Graz, Austria

    Observatoire Astronomique de l'Université de Genève, Chemin Pegasi 51, 1290 Versoix, Switzerland

13. Brett M. Morris

    University of Bern · Center for Space and Habitability

    Affiliation as printed

    Center for Space and Habitability, University of Bern, Gesellschaftsstrasse 6, 3012 Bern, Switzerland

14. Jayshil A. Patel

    Stockholm University · AlbaNova

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Astronomy, Stockholm University, AlbaNova University Center, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden

15. Yann Alibert

    University of Bern

    Affiliation as printed

    Physikalisches Institut, University of Bern, Sidlerstrasse 5, 3012 Bern, Switzerland

16. R. Alonso

    Universidad de La Laguna · Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias

    Affiliation as printed

    Departamento de Astrofísica, Universidad de La Laguna, 38206 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain

    Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias, 38200 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain

17. Guillem Anglada-Escudé

    Institute of Space Sciences · Institut d'Estudis Espacials de Catalunya

    Affiliation as printed

    Institut de Ciencies de l’Espai (ICE, CSIC), Campus UAB, Can Magrans s/n, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain

    Institut d’Estudis Espacials de Catalunya (IEEC), 08034 Barcelona, Spain

    Institut d'Estudis Espacials de Catalunya (IEEC), 08034 Barcelona, Spain

    Institut de Ciencies de l'Espai (ICE, CSIC), Campus UAB, Can Magrans s/n, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain

18. T. Bárczy
    Affiliation as printed

    Admatis, 5. Kando Kalman Street, 3534 Miskolc, Hungary

19. D. Barrado

    Centro de Astrobiología

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    Depto. de Astrofísica, Centro de Astrobiologia (CSIC-INTA), ESAC campus, 28692 Villanueva de la Canada (Madrid), Spain

20. S. C. C. Barros

    Universidade do Porto · Institute of Astrophysics and Space Sciences · Centro de Astrofísica da Universidade do Porto

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    Departamento de Fisica e Astronomia, Faculdade de Ciencias, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal

    Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciencias do Espaco, Universidade do Porto, CAUP, Rua das Estrelas, 4150-762 Porto, Portugal

21. W. Baumjohann

    Austrian Academy of Sciences · Space Research Institute

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    Space Research Institute, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Schmiedlstrasse 6, 8042 Graz, Austria

22. M. Beck

    University of Geneva

    Affiliation as printed

    Observatoire Astronomique de l’Université de Genève, Chemin Pegasi 51, 1290 Versoix, Switzerland

    Observatoire Astronomique de l'Université de Genève, Chemin Pegasi 51, 1290 Versoix, Switzerland

23. T. Beck

    University of Bern

    Affiliation as printed

    Physikalisches Institut, University of Bern, Sidlerstrasse 5, 3012 Bern, Switzerland

24. W. Benz

    University of Bern · Center for Space and Habitability

    Affiliation as printed

    Center for Space and Habitability, University of Bern, Gesellschaftsstrasse 6, 3012 Bern, Switzerland

    Physikalisches Institut, University of Bern, Sidlerstrasse 5, 3012 Bern, Switzerland

25. Xavier Bonfils

    Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique · Institut de Planétologie et d'Astrophysique de Grenoble · Université Grenoble Alpes

    Affiliation as printed

    Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, IPAG, 38000 Grenoble, France

26. Christopher H. Broeg

    University of Bern · Center for Space and Habitability

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    Center for Space and Habitability, Gesellsschaftstrasse 6, 3012 Bern, Switzerland

    Physikalisches Institut, University of Bern, Sidlerstrasse 5, 3012 Bern, Switzerland

27. M. Buder

    Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR)

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Optical Sensor Systems, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Rutherfordstrasse 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany

28. J. Cabrera

    Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR)

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Planetary Research, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Rutherfordstrasse 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany

29. S. Charnoz

    Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique · Institut de physique du globe de Paris · Université Paris Cité

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    Université de Paris, Institut de physique du globe de Paris, CNRS, 75005 Paris, France

30. Andrew Collier Cameron

    University of St Andrews

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    Centre for Exoplanet Science, SUPA School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews KY16 9SS, UK

31. H. Cottard

    École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

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    Almatech SA, EPFL Innovation Park, Bâtiment D, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland

32. Sz. Csizmadia

    Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR)

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Planetary Research, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Rutherfordstrasse 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany

33. M. B. Davies

    Lund University

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    Centre for Mathematical Sciences, Lund University, Box 118, 221 00 Lund, Sweden

34. M. Deleuil

    University of Bern

    Affiliation as printed

    Physikalisches Institut, University of Bern, Sidlerstrasse 5, 3012 Bern, Switzerland

35. Olivier D S Demangeon

    Universidade do Porto · Institute of Astrophysics and Space Sciences · Centro de Astrofísica da Universidade do Porto

    Affiliation as printed

    Departamento de Fisica e Astronomia, Faculdade de Ciencias, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal

    Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciencias do Espaco, Universidade do Porto, CAUP, Rua das Estrelas, 4150-762 Porto, Portugal

36. David Ehrenreich

    University of Geneva

    Affiliation as printed

    Centre Vie dans l’Univers, Faculté des sciences, Université de Genève, Quai Ernest-Ansermet 30, 1211 Genève 4, Switzerland

    Observatoire Astronomique de l’Université de Genève, Chemin Pegasi 51, 1290 Versoix, Switzerland

    Centre Vie dans l'Univers, Faculté des sciences, Université de Genève, Quai Ernest-Ansermet 30, 1211 Genève 4, Switzerland

    Observatoire Astronomique de l'Université de Genève, Chemin Pegasi 51, 1290 Versoix, Switzerland

37. A. Erikson

    Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR)

    Affiliation as printed

    Institute of Planetary Research, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Rutherfordstrasse 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany

38. L. Fossati

    Austrian Academy of Sciences · Space Research Institute

    Affiliation as printed

    Space Research Institute, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Schmiedlstrasse 6, 8042 Graz, Austria

39. Malcolm C. Fridlund Aachen Leiden Observatory

    Leiden University · Leiden Observatory · Chalmers University of Technology

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Space, Earth and Environment, Chalmers University of Technology, Onsala Space Observatory, 439 92 Onsala, Sweden

    Leiden Observatory, University of Leiden, PO Box 9513, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands

40. D. Gandolfi

    University of Turin

    Affiliation as printed

    Dipartimento di Fisica, Universita degli Studi di Torino, via Pietro Giuria 1, 10125 Torino, Italy

41. M. Gillon

    University of Liège

    Affiliation as printed

    Astrobiology Research Unit, Université de Liège, Allée du 6 Août 19C, 4000 Liège, Belgium

42. M. Güdel

    University of Vienna

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    University of Vienna, Department of Astrophysics, Türkenschanzstrasse 17, 1180 Vienna, Austria

43. K. G. Isaak

    European Space Agency · European Space Research and Technology Centre

    Affiliation as printed

    Science and Operations Department – Science Division (SCI-SC), Directorate of Science, European Space Agency (ESA), European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC), Keplerlaan 1, 2201 AZ Noordwijk, The Netherlands

44. L. L. Kiss

    Eötvös Loránd University · Konkoly Observatory · HUN-REN Research Centre for Astronomy and Earth Sciences

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    ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Institute of Physics, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/A, 1117, Hungary

    Konkoly Observatory, Research Centre for Astronomy and Earth Sciences, 1121 Budapest, Konkoly Thege Miklos ut 15-17, Hungary

45. J. Laskar

    Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique · Observatoire de Paris · Institut de Mécanique Céleste et de Calcul des Éphémérides

    Affiliation as printed

    IMCCE, UMR8028 CNRS, Observatoire de Paris, PSL Univ., Sorbonne Univ., 77 av. Denfert-Rochereau, 75014 Paris, France

46. Alain Lecavelier des Etangs

    Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique · Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris · Université Pierre-et-Marie-Curie

    Affiliation as printed

    Institut d’astrophysique de Paris, UMR7095 CNRS, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 98 bis bvd. Arago, 75014 Paris, France

    Institut d'astrophysique de Paris, UMR7095 CNRS, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 98 bis bvd. Arago, 75014 Paris, France

47. Christophe Lovis

    University of Geneva

    Affiliation as printed

    Observatoire Astronomique de l’Université de Genève, Chemin Pegasi 51, 1290 Versoix, Switzerland

    Observatoire Astronomique de l'Université de Genève, Chemin Pegasi 51, 1290 Versoix, Switzerland

48. Armin Luntzer

    University of Vienna

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    Department of Astrophysics, University of Vienna, Tuerkenschanzstrasse 17, 1180 Vienna, Austria

49. Demetrio Magrin

    Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova

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    INAF, Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova, Vicolo dell’Osservatorio 5, 35122 Padova, Italy

    INAF, Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova, Vicolo dell'Osservatorio 5, 35122 Padova, Italy

50. L. Marafatto

    Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova

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    INAF, Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova, Vicolo dell’Osservatorio 5, 35122 Padova, Italy

    INAF, Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova, Vicolo dell'Osservatorio 5, 35122 Padova, Italy

51. Pierre F L Maxted

    Keele University

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    Astrophysics Group, Keele University, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, UK

52. V. Nascimbeni

    Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova

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    INAF, Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova, Vicolo dell’Osservatorio 5, 35122 Padova, Italy

    INAF, Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova, Vicolo dell'Osservatorio 5, 35122 Padova, Italy

53. G. Olofsson

    Stockholm University · AlbaNova

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    Department of Astronomy, Stockholm University, AlbaNova University Center, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden

54. R. Ottensamer

    University of Vienna

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    Department of Astrophysics, University of Vienna, Tuerkenschanzstrasse 17, 1180 Vienna, Austria

55. I. Pagano

    Osservatorio Astrofisico di Catania

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    INAF, Osservatorio Astrofísico di Catania, Via S. Sofia 78, 95123 Catania, Italy

56. E. Pallé

    Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias

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    Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias, 38200 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain

57. Gisbert Peter

    Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR)

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    Institute of Optical Sensor Systems, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Rutherfordstrasse 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany

58. G. Piotto

    University of Padua · Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova

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    Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia “Galileo Galilei”, Universita degli Studi di Padova, Vicolo dell’Osservatorio 3, 35122 Padova, Italy

    INAF, Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova, Vicolo dell’Osservatorio 5, 35122 Padova, Italy

    Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia "Galileo Galilei", Universita degli Studi di Padova, Vicolo dell'Osservatorio 3, 35122 Padova, Italy

    INAF, Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova, Vicolo dell'Osservatorio 5, 35122 Padova, Italy

59. D. Pollacco

    University of Warwick

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    Department of Physics, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK

60. Didier P. Queloz

    University of Cambridge · ETH Zurich

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    Cavendish Laboratory, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK

    ETH Zurich, Department of Physics, Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse 2, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland

61. Roberto Ragazzoni

    University of Padua · Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova

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    Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia “Galileo Galilei”, Universita degli Studi di Padova, Vicolo dell’Osservatorio 3, 35122 Padova, Italy

    INAF, Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova, Vicolo dell’Osservatorio 5, 35122 Padova, Italy

    Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia "Galileo Galilei", Universita degli Studi di Padova, Vicolo dell'Osservatorio 3, 35122 Padova, Italy

    INAF, Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova, Vicolo dell'Osservatorio 5, 35122 Padova, Italy

62. N. Rando

    European Space Agency · European Space Research and Technology Centre

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    ESTEC, European Space Agency, 2201AZ, Noordwijk, NL, The Netherlands

63. F. Ratti

    European Space Agency · European Space Research and Technology Centre

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    ESTEC, European Space Agency, 2201AZ, Noordwijk, NL, The Netherlands

64. Heike Rauer

    Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR) · Technische Universität Berlin · Freie Universität Berlin

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    Institut für Geologische Wissenschaften, Freie Universität Berlin, 12249 Berlin, Germany

    Institute of Planetary Research, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Rutherfordstrasse 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany

    Zentrum für Astronomie und Astrophysik, Technische Universität Berlin, Hardenbergstr. 36, 10623 Berlin, Germany

65. I. Ribas

    Institute of Space Sciences · Institut d'Estudis Espacials de Catalunya

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    Institut de Ciencies de l’Espai (ICE, CSIC), Campus UAB, Can Magrans s/n, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain

    Institut d’Estudis Espacials de Catalunya (IEEC), 08034 Barcelona, Spain

    Institut d'Estudis Espacials de Catalunya (IEEC), 08034 Barcelona, Spain

    Institut de Ciencies de l'Espai (ICE, CSIC), Campus UAB, Can Magrans s/n, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain

66. Nuno C. Santos

    Universidade do Porto · Institute of Astrophysics and Space Sciences · Centro de Astrofísica da Universidade do Porto

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    Departamento de Fisica e Astronomia, Faculdade de Ciencias, Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal

    Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciencias do Espaco, Universidade do Porto, CAUP, Rua das Estrelas, 4150-762 Porto, Portugal

67. G. Scandariato

    Osservatorio Astrofisico di Catania

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    INAF, Osservatorio Astrofísico di Catania, Via S. Sofia 78, 95123 Catania, Italy

68. Damien Ségransan

    University of Geneva

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    Observatoire Astronomique de l’Université de Genève, Chemin Pegasi 51, 1290 Versoix, Switzerland

    Observatoire Astronomique de l'Université de Genève, Chemin Pegasi 51, 1290 Versoix, Switzerland

69. Attila E. Simon

    University of Bern

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    Physikalisches Institut, University of Bern, Sidlerstrasse 5, 3012 Bern, Switzerland

70. Alexis M. S. Smith

    Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR)

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    Institute of Planetary Research, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Rutherfordstrasse 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany

71. M. Steller

    Austrian Academy of Sciences · Space Research Institute

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    Space Research Institute, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Schmiedlstrasse 6, 8042 Graz, Austria

72. Gy. M. Szabó

    Eötvös Loránd University

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    ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Gothard Astrophysical Observatory, 9700 Szombathely, Szent Imre h. u. 112, Hungary

    MTA-ELTE Exoplanet Research Group, 9700 Szombathely, Szent Imre h. u. 112, Hungary

73. N. Thomas

    University of Bern

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    Physikalisches Institut, University of Bern, Sidlerstrasse 5, 3012 Bern, Switzerland

74. Stéphane Udry

    University of Geneva

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    Observatoire Astronomique de l’Université de Genève, Chemin Pegasi 51, 1290 Versoix, Switzerland

    Observatoire Astronomique de l'Université de Genève, Chemin Pegasi 51, 1290 Versoix, Switzerland

75. V. Van Grootel

    University of Liège

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    Space sciences, Technologies and Astrophysics Research (STAR) Institute, Université de Liège, Allée du 6 Août 19C, 4000 Liège, Belgium

76. Nicholas A. Walton

    University of Cambridge

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    Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0HA, UK