A Young-Planet Search in Visible and Infrared Light: DN Tauri, V836 Tauri, and V827 Tauri

Abstract

In searches for low-mass companions to late-type stars, correlation between radial velocity variations and line bisector slope changes indicates contamination by large starspots. Two young stars demonstrate that this test is not sufficient to rule out starspots as a cause of radial velocity variations. As part of our survey for substellar companions to T Tauri stars, we identified the similar to 2 Myr old planet host candidates DN Tau and V836 Tau. In both cases, visible-light radial velocity modulation appears periodic and is uncorrelated with line bisector span variations, suggesting close companions of several M(Jup) in these systems. However, high-resolution, infrared spectroscopy shows that starspots cause the radial velocity variations. We also report unambiguous results for V827 Tau, identified as a spotted star on the basis of both visible-light and infrared spectroscopy. Our results suggest that infrared follow-up observations are critical for determining the source of radial velocity modulation in young, spotted stars.