: Template-Independent Line-by-line Algorithm for Radial velocity Analysis

Context. Precise radial velocities (RVs) are commonly derived through cross-correlation or template-matching methods, both of which rely on a reference spectrum that can introduce biases when the data are variable, contaminated, or sparsely sampled. Line-by-line methods offer an alternative way to compute RVs but generally still rely on template creation, and therefore share its inherent limitations. Aims. We introduce <ns0:monospace>TILARA</ns0:monospace>, a template-independent, line-by-line RV extraction code designed to derive line-by-line RVs and operate effectively even when spectral template construction is not recommended. While originally motivated by future Paranal solar ESPRESSO Telescope (PoET) disk-resolved solar observations, <ns0:monospace>TILARA</ns0:monospace> has been built with the flexibility to work with different stellar spectral types and instruments. Methods. A curated list of individual absorption lines is used as a reference to automatically measure line centers with via Gaussian fitting with <ns0:monospace>ARES</ns0:monospace>. Then, using the reference lines list, and the lines measured with <ns0:monospace>ARES</ns0:monospace> on the spectra of the target star, <ns0:monospace>TILARA</ns0:monospace> computes the RVs and applies configurable outlier rejection through sigma-clipping or down-weighting methods. Results. We tested different configurations of the code, RV uncertainty estimation methods, and line selection criteria. The code was applied to 520 ESPRESSO observations of the Sun-like star HD 102365 to evaluate its performance. <ns0:monospace>TILARA</ns0:monospace> was then tested against other RV extraction methods. Both in its sigma-clipping and its down-weighting mode, <ns0:monospace>TILARA</ns0:monospace> provided resulting RV time series with similar standard deviation and error bars as the ones derived using existing methods that follow different approaches. Conclusions. Our results demonstrate that <ns0:monospace>TILARA</ns0:monospace> can deliver precise, template-free RV measurements and effectively reduce the impact of spectral outliers. Its flexibility makes it well suited for both current ultraprecise spectrographs and future applications to spatially resolved solar observations. Additionally, the ability to easily modify the line list allows <ns0:monospace>TILARA</ns0:monospace> to be adapted to explore how various spectral features or physical phenomena affect RV measurements.

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Publication Details

Journal
Springer Link (Chiba Institute of Technology)
Published
2026-04-21
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202558095/pdf
Primary Topic
Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

: Template-Independent Line-by-line Algorithm for Radial velocity Analysis

V. Adibekyan, N. C. Santos, K. Al Moulla, S. G. Sousa et al.
Springer Link (Chiba Institute of Technology)
Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies
article

: Template-Independent Line-by-line Algorithm for Radial velocity Analysis

V. Adibekyan, N. C. Santos, K. Al Moulla, S. G. Sousa, A. C. A. Silva, C. San Nicolas Martinez
article en

Abstract

Context. Precise radial velocities (RVs) are commonly derived through cross-correlation or template-matching methods, both of which rely on a reference spectrum that can introduce biases when the data are variable, contaminated, or sparsely sampled. Line-by-line methods offer an alternative way to compute RVs but generally still rely on template creation, and therefore share its inherent limitations. Aims. We introduce <ns0:monospace>TILARA</ns0:monospace>, a template-independent, line-by-line RV extraction code designed to derive line-by-line RVs and operate effectively even when spectral template construction is not recommended. While originally motivated by future Paranal solar ESPRESSO Telescope (PoET) disk-resolved solar observations, <ns0:monospace>TILARA</ns0:monospace> has been built with the flexibility to work with different stellar spectral types and instruments. Methods. A curated list of individual absorption lines is used as a reference to automatically measure line centers with via Gaussian fitting with <ns0:monospace>ARES</ns0:monospace>. Then, using the reference lines list, and the lines measured with <ns0:monospace>ARES</ns0:monospace> on the spectra of the target star, <ns0:monospace>TILARA</ns0:monospace> computes the RVs and applies configurable outlier rejection through sigma-clipping or down-weighting methods. Results. We tested different configurations of the code, RV uncertainty estimation methods, and line selection criteria. The code was applied to 520 ESPRESSO observations of the Sun-like star HD 102365 to evaluate its performance. <ns0:monospace>TILARA</ns0:monospace> was then tested against other RV extraction methods. Both in its sigma-clipping and its down-weighting mode, <ns0:monospace>TILARA</ns0:monospace> provided resulting RV time series with similar standard deviation and error bars as the ones derived using existing methods that follow different approaches. Conclusions. Our results demonstrate that <ns0:monospace>TILARA</ns0:monospace> can deliver precise, template-free RV measurements and effectively reduce the impact of spectral outliers. Its flexibility makes it well suited for both current ultraprecise spectrographs and future applications to spatially resolved solar observations. Additionally, the ability to easily modify the line list allows <ns0:monospace>TILARA</ns0:monospace> to be adapted to explore how various spectral features or physical phenomena affect RV measurements.

Springer Link (Chiba Institute of Technology)
National Science Foundation, European Commission, Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung, Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Openalex Percentile: Top 29%
Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies
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