The 10 parsec sample in the Gaia era

Abstract: The nearest stars provide a fundamental constraint for our understanding of stellar physics and the Galaxy. The nearby sample serves as an anchor where all objects can be seen and understood with precise data. This work is triggered by the most recent data release of the astrometric space mission Gaia and uses its unprecedented high precision parallax measurements to review the census of objects within 10 pc. The first aim of this work was to compile all stars and brown dwarfs within 10 pc observable by Gaia, and compare it with the Gaia Catalogue of Nearby Stars as a quality assurance test. We complement the list to get a full 10 pc census, including bright stars, brown dwarfs, and exoplanets. We started our compilation from a query on all objects with a parallax larger than 100 mas using SIMBAD. We completed the census by adding companions, brown dwarfs with recent parallax measurements not in SIMBAD yet, and vetted exoplanets. The compilation combines astrometry and photometry from the recent Gaia Early Data Release 3 with literature magnitudes, spectral types and line-of-sight velocities. We give a description of the astrophysical content of the 10 pc sample. We find a multiplicity frequency of around 28%. Among the stars and brown dwarfs, we estimate that around 61% are M stars and more than half of the M stars are within the range M3.0 V to M5.0 V. We give an overview of the brown dwarfs and exoplanets that should be detected in the next Gaia data releases along with future developments. We provide a catalogue of 540 stars, brown dwarfs, and exoplanets in 339 systems, within 10 pc from the Sun. This list is as volume-complete as possible from current knowledge and provides benchmark stars that can be used, for instance, to define calibration samples and to test the quality of the forthcoming Gaia releases. It also has a strong outreach potential.

• The paper compiles a complete and precise catalog of 540 stars, brown dwarfs, and exoplanets within 10 parsecs by integrating Gaia EDR3 with supplementary parallax data.
• It employs a multi-source approach with data from Gaia, SIMBAD, and literature to ensure high accuracy in stellar classification and parameterization.
• The catalog enhances future research by providing actionable insights into stellar multiplicity, exoplanet frequency, and the local cosmic neighborhood’s structure.

Overview of "The 10 Parsec Sample in the Gaia Era"

The paper "The 10 Parsec Sample in the Gaia Era" presents a comprehensive review and catalog of all stellar and sub-stellar objects within a 10-parsec radius from the Sun, utilizing the precision astrometry data provided by Gaia Early Data Release 3 (EDR3). This research is guided by the foremost objective of constraining stellar physics and galactic understanding through an exhaustive neighborhood sample that can be studied with unprecedented precision.

Objectives and Methods

One primary aim of the study was to compile and establish a detailed inventory of stars and brown dwarfs observable by Gaia within the 10 pc radius and benchmark this list against the Gaia Catalogue of Nearby Stars (GCNS). In addition, the researchers supplemented this catalog with high-precision parallax measurements from multiple sources, including recent Gaia data and literature values, to ensure the sample's completeness and accuracy. This work draws extensively upon the SIMBAD astronomical database, integrating spectral types, astrometric data, and other stellar parameters to formulate a consolidated database.

Results and Catalog Characteristics

The study reports a meticulously compiled catalog encompassing 540 stars, brown dwarfs, and exoplanets distributed across 339 systems within 10 pc of the Sun. Notably, the catalog reveals that approximately 61% of these stars are M-dwarfs, with a significant proportion residing in the mid-M spectral subclass range of M3.0--M5.0. Additionally, the catalog charts a multiplicity rate of about 27.4%, with entries including multiple systems up to quintuple configurations.

Of particular significance is the inclusion of 77 confirmed exoplanets, enriching the 10 pc sample with planetary companions and propelling this region into the focal point for future astrometric and exoplanetary studies. The catalog has been cross-verified with other databases and updated to align with the latest Gaia releases, making it exceptionally thorough for ongoing research and future validation.

Implications and Future Directions

Practically, this enhanced catalog provides a bedrock reference for future Gaia Data Releases, enabling robust validation of the space mission’s data quality. Theoretically, the catalog not only aids in the refinement of stellar models but also plays a critical role in understanding the statistical distribution and frequency of stellar multiplicity and planetary systems.

Looking forward, the availability of more precise astrometric measurements expected in upcoming Gaia releases promises the discovery and resolution of even more complex and fainter object systems within this volume. The 10 pc sample catalog affords significant outreach opportunities, enhancing public engagement with its encompassed multi-faceted stellar neighborhood—ranging from terrestrial planets, bright stars visible to the naked eye, to brown dwarfs as faint as Luhman 16 and beyond.

This reference volume is not static; as new techniques and data become available, the catalog will continue to evolve, absorbing new discoveries, particularly in the domain of sub-stellar objects and exoplanetary companions. Thus, it represents a significant scientific resource, allowing astronomers to unlock deeper insights into the local cosmic neighborhood's structure and dynamics.