REVIEW 2 major objections 1 minor 1 cited by
Luminaries in the Sky: The TESS LEGACY Sample of Bright Stars. II. In-depth seismic characterisation of 32 naked-eye stars in the PLATO LOP fields
T0 review · 2 major / 1 minor · reviewed 2026-06-30 · grok-4.3
Pith's one-line read The 32 naked-eye stars in the PLATO long-duration fields form a ready calibration set for the mission's asteroseismology.
desk verdict The paper gives first seismic parameters for 26 of 32 bright PLATO-field stars but the sub-giant mixed-mode discrepancies flagged in the abstract limit how far the calibration claim can be trusted. read the letter →
The pith
A machine-rendered reading of the paper's core claim, the machinery that carries it, and where it could break.
The reading
What carries the argument
The set of 32 Luminaries stars in the PLATO LOP fields, processed through three independent seismic pipelines to determine optimal analysis settings and extract mode parameters.
What would settle it
Future PLATO observations of these same stars yielding mode parameters or frequency separations that differ substantially from the TESS-derived values.
Extended reading notes
Core claim
Individual mode parameters were extracted for the first time for 26 of the 32 stars. Statistical criteria were used to choose the optimal combination of data calibration, cadence, and fitting method for each star. Derived quantities include large and small separations, asymptotic phase term, radial mode amplitudes, and mean linewidths. The analysis confirms consistent trends across pipelines while noting inconsistencies in mixed-mode identification for sub-giants.
Load-bearing premise
The statistical criteria applied to results from the three pipelines can reliably identify the optimal data calibration, cadence, and fitting method for each star.
Editorial extensions
If this is right
- These stars can serve as early calibrators during PLATO commissioning and initial operations.
- Longer datasets will be needed to resolve mixed-mode identification issues in sub-giants.
- Derived seismic parameters such as separations and amplitudes show robustness across different pipelines.
- The sample enables direct comparison of TESS-based results with upcoming PLATO data.
Reading between the lines
- Future work could test whether the selected pipeline combinations remain optimal when applied to actual PLATO observations.
- Similar multi-pipeline approaches might improve characterization of other bright oscillating stars outside these fields.
- The inconsistencies noted suggest that mode identification accuracy depends strongly on observation length for evolved stars.
Editorial analysis
A structured set of objections, weighed in public.
Referee Report
Summary. The paper presents an asteroseismic characterisation of 32 bright (V<6) main-sequence and sub-giant stars from the TESS Luminaries sample that lie in the PLATO LOP fields. Using three independent pipelines (one similar to the official PLATO pipeline), the authors extract individual mode parameters for 26 stars for the first time, apply statistical criteria to select the optimal combination of data calibration, cadence and fitting method per star, and report large/small separations, asymptotic phase term, radial-mode amplitudes and mean linewidths per order. They note consistent trends across pipelines but flag that mixed-mode identification differs among pipelines for sub-giants, requiring longer datasets; they conclude that the sample will be crucial for validating, calibrating and optimising PLATO's seismic performance.
Significance. If the extracted parameters are shown to be robust, the sample would constitute a valuable set of bright, naked-eye targets observable by PLATO from commissioning onward, enabling direct tests of the PLATO pipeline and early science operations. The use of a pipeline analogous to PLATO's is a positive feature for direct comparability.
major comments (2)
- [Abstract] Abstract: The assertion that 'comparisons reveal consistent trends in the seismic parameters, confirming the robustness of our analysis' is directly contradicted by the immediately following statement that 'in sub-giants, mixed-mode identification differs in the three pipelines, revealing extraction inconsistencies requiring longer datasets to improve our mode identifications.' Because sub-giants form part of the 32-star sample intended for PLATO calibration, this internal tension undermines the central claim that the derived parameters are sufficiently reliable for validating PLATO's seismic performance.
- [Abstract] Abstract: The manuscript provides no quantitative metrics (e.g., inter-pipeline differences in derived frequencies, amplitudes or linewidths, or the outcome of the statistical selection criteria) to support the claim of robustness, nor does it report error bars or exclusion rules for the final parameters. This absence is load-bearing for the PLATO-calibration conclusion.
minor comments (1)
- [Abstract] Abstract: 'Statistical criterion were applied' should read 'Statistical criteria were applied'.
Simulated Author's Rebuttal
We thank the referee for their careful and constructive review, which identifies key areas for improving the clarity of our abstract. We address the two major comments point by point below and will revise the abstract accordingly to strengthen the manuscript.
read point-by-point responses
-
Referee: [Abstract] Abstract: The assertion that 'comparisons reveal consistent trends in the seismic parameters, confirming the robustness of our analysis' is directly contradicted by the immediately following statement that 'in sub-giants, mixed-mode identification differs in the three pipelines, revealing extraction inconsistencies requiring longer datasets to improve our mode identifications.' Because sub-giants form part of the 32-star sample intended for PLATO calibration, this internal tension undermines the central claim that the derived parameters are sufficiently reliable for validating PLATO's seismic performance.
Authors: We acknowledge that the abstract wording creates an apparent tension that could be misinterpreted. The phrase on consistent trends applies specifically to the global seismic parameters (large and small separations, asymptotic phase term, radial-mode amplitudes, and mean linewidths), which exhibit agreement across the three pipelines. The mixed-mode identification differences are isolated to sub-giants and are presented as a known limitation of current datasets rather than a refutation of overall robustness. The sample remains suitable for PLATO calibration on the basis of the robust global parameters. We will revise the abstract to explicitly separate these elements, qualify the robustness claim, and note the sub-giant caveat without implying contradiction. revision: yes
-
Referee: [Abstract] Abstract: The manuscript provides no quantitative metrics (e.g., inter-pipeline differences in derived frequencies, amplitudes or linewidths, or the outcome of the statistical selection criteria) to support the claim of robustness, nor does it report error bars or exclusion rules for the final parameters. This absence is load-bearing for the PLATO-calibration conclusion.
Authors: We agree that the abstract would benefit from explicit quantitative support. The full manuscript applies statistical selection criteria per star and presents pipeline comparisons (including parameter tables) in the results sections, with error bars on individual frequencies. To address the referee's concern directly, we will add concise quantitative metrics to the abstract—such as typical inter-pipeline frequency differences and the fraction of stars with consistent selections—while referencing the error bars and exclusion rules already detailed in the text. This will better substantiate the PLATO-calibration utility. revision: yes
Circularity Check
No circularity; derivation is self-contained observational analysis
full rationale
The paper extracts individual mode parameters from TESS photometry of 32 stars using three independent pipelines, applies statistical criteria to select optimal combinations, and derives standard seismic quantities (large/small separations, asymptotic phase term, amplitudes, linewidths). These steps rely on external data and cross-pipeline consistency checks rather than any self-definition, fitted inputs renamed as predictions, or load-bearing self-citations. The claim that the sample will calibrate PLATO follows directly from the observed parameters without reducing to tautology or imported uniqueness theorems. No steps match the enumerated circularity patterns.
Assumptions & free parameters
Cite this review
Pith. "Pith review of Luminaries in the Sky: The TESS LEGACY Sample of Bright Stars. II. In-depth seismic characterisation of 32 naked-eye stars in the PLATO LOP fields." pith.science (2026). https://pith.science/paper/ATGM7CVR
@misc{pith2026260514713,
author = {Pith},
title = {Pith review of: Luminaries in the Sky: The TESS LEGACY Sample of Bright Stars. II. In-depth seismic characterisation of 32 naked-eye stars in the PLATO LOP fields},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://pith.science/paper/ATGM7CVR}},
note = {Machine review of arXiv:2605.14713}
}
read the original abstract
The NASA TESS mission is conducting a nearly full-sky survey, enabling the photometric characterisation of millions of stars. The forthcoming ESA PLATO mission will provide long-duration, high-precision photometry of tens of thousands of bright stars to be characterised through asteroseismology. The TESS Luminaries Sample is a catalogue of 196 bright naked-eye (V < 6) main-sequence (MS) and sub-giant (SG) stars exhibiting solar-like oscillations. Among them, the subset located within the PLATO Long-duration Observation Phase (LOP) fields constitutes an exceptional set of targets that will be observable by PLATO from the earliest phases of the mission, making them ideal calibrators during commissioning and the first months of science operations. This paper aims to provide an in-depth asteroseismic characterisation of 32 Luminaries stars that fall within the PLATO LOP fields of view. Individual mode parameters were extracted for the first time for 26 of them. We used three independent seismic pipelines, one of which is similar to the algorithms used in the official PLATO pipeline. Statistical criterion were applied to identify the optimal combination of data calibration, observing cadence, and fitting pipeline for each star. For all stars, we derived large and small separations, the asymptotic phase term, radial mode amplitudes, and mean linewidths per order. Comparisons reveal consistent trends in the seismic parameters, confirming the robustness of our analysis. In sub-giants, mixed-mode identification differs in the three pipelines, revealing extraction inconsistencies requiring longer datasets to improve our mode identifications. The Luminaries stars located in the PLATO LOP fields constitute a unique sample that will play a crucial role in validating, calibrating, and optimising PLATO's seismic performance.
Figures
Figures from the paper (2 more)
Forward citations
Cited by 1 Pith paper
-
The Stellar Observations Network Group (SONG) -- A Legacy Archive of Stellar Time-Domain Spectroscopy
The SONG network archive holds >580,000 spectra of 3091 stars (2014–2025) and is presented as an open community resource for asteroseismology, binaries, variability, and exoplanets.
Reference graph
Works this paper leans on
-
[1]
Aguilera-Gómez, C., Ramírez, I., & Chanamé, J. 2018, A&A, 614, A55
work page 2018
- [2]
- [3]
-
[4]
Barnes, J. R., Standing, M. R., Haswell, C. A., et al. 2023, MNRAS, 524, 5196
work page 2023
-
[5]
Beck, P. G., Bedding, T. R., Mosser, B., et al. 2011, Science, 332, 205
work page 2011
-
[6]
R., Kjeldsen, H., Bouchy, F., et al
Bedding, T. R., Kjeldsen, H., Bouchy, F., et al. 2005, A&A, 432, L43
work page 2005
-
[7]
Belkacem, K., Dupret, M. A., Baudin, F., et al. 2012, A&A, 540, L7
work page 2012
-
[8]
Belkacem, K., Samadi, R., Goupil, M. J., & Dupret, M. A. 2008, A&A, 478, 163
work page 2008
Show all 82 references
-
[9]
P., Basu, S., Hekker, S., Christensen-Dalsgaard, J., & Ball, W
Bellinger, E. P., Basu, S., Hekker, S., Christensen-Dalsgaard, J., & Ball, W. H. 2021, ApJ, 915, 100
2021
-
[10]
R., Mosser, B., et al
Benomar, O., Bedding, T. R., Mosser, B., et al. 2013, ApJ, 767, 158
2013
-
[11]
N., Dhouib, H., García, R
Breton, S. N., Dhouib, H., García, R. A., et al. 2023, A&A, 679, A104
2023
-
[12]
P., Hekker, S., & Basu, S
Buchele, L., Bellinger, E. P., Hekker, S., & Basu, S. 2025, ApJ, 989, 158
2025
-
[13]
2024, A&A, 689, A307
Buldgen, G., Fellay, L., Bétrisey, J., et al. 2024, A&A, 689, A307
2024
-
[14]
L., Handberg, R., Mathur, S., et al
Campante, T. L., Handberg, R., Mathur, S., et al. 2011, A&A, 534, A6
2011
-
[15]
2011, A&A, 530, A138
Casagrande, L., Schönrich, R., Asplund, M., et al. 2011, A&A, 530, A138
2011
-
[16]
2022, JOSS, 7, 3331
Chontos, A., Huber, D., Sayeed, M., & Yamsiri, P. 2022, JOSS, 7, 3331
2022
-
[17]
L., Bedding, T
Compton, D. L., Bedding, T. R., & Stello, D. 2019, MNRAS, 485, 560
2019
-
[18]
2019, Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences, 6, 21
Corsaro, E. 2019, Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences, 6, 21
2019
-
[19]
& De Ridder, J
Corsaro, E. & De Ridder, J. 2014, A&A, 571, A71
2014
-
[20]
M., & Kuszlewicz, J
Corsaro, E., McKeever, J. M., & Kuszlewicz, J. S. 2020, A&A, 640, A130
2020
-
[21]
R., Chaplin, W
Davies, G. R., Chaplin, W. J., Farr, W. M., et al. 2015, MNRAS, 446, 2959
2015
-
[22]
2020, A&A, 641, A117
Deheuvels, S., Ballot, J., Eggenberger, P., et al. 2020, A&A, 641, A117
2020
-
[23]
J., et al
Deheuvels, S., Do˘gan, G., Goupil, M. J., et al. 2014, A&A, 564, A27
2014
-
[24]
& Michel, E
Deheuvels, S. & Michel, E. 2010, Astrophys. Space Sci., 328, 259
2010
-
[25]
& Michel, E
Deheuvels, S. & Michel, E. 2011, A&A, 535, A91
2011
-
[26]
2009, A&A, 506, 1469
Desort, M., Lagrange, A.-M., Galland, F., et al. 2009, A&A, 506, 1469
2009
-
[27]
2021, A&A, 654, A133
Fellay, L., Buldgen, G., Eggenberger, P., et al. 2021, A&A, 654, A133
2021
-
[28]
W., Lang, D., & Goodman, J
Foreman-Mackey, D., Hogg, D. W., Lang, D., & Goodman, J. 2013, PASP, 125, 306 García, R. A. & Ballot, J. 2019, Living Rev. Sol. Phys., 16, 4 García, R. A., Mathur, S., Salabert, D., et al. 2010, Science, 329, 1032 García Saravia Ortiz de Montellano, A., Hekker, S., & Themeßl, ...
2013
-
[29]
& Keeley, D
Goldreich, P. & Keeley, D. A. 1977, ApJ, 211, 934
1977
-
[30]
J., Catala, C., Samadi, R., et al
Goupil, M. J., Catala, C., Samadi, R., et al. 2024, A&A, 683, A78
2024
-
[31]
A., Houdek, G., Chaplin, W
Guzik, J. A., Houdek, G., Chaplin, W. J., et al. 2016, ApJ, 831, 17
2016
-
[32]
2017, MNRAS, 472, 979
Handberg, R., Brogaard, K., Miglio, A., et al. 2017, MNRAS, 472, 979
2017
-
[33]
& Lund, M
Handberg, R. & Lund, M. N. 2014, MNRAS, 445, 2698
2014
-
[34]
1985, Future Missions in Solar, Heliospheric & Space Plasma Physics, 235, 199
Harvey, J. 1985, Future Missions in Solar, Heliospheric & Space Plasma Physics, 235, 199
1985
-
[35]
2024, The Astrophysical Journal, 975, 147
Hon, M., Huber, D., Li, Y ., et al. 2024, The Astrophysical Journal, 975, 147
2024
-
[36]
T., Nielsen, M
Hookway, G. T., Nielsen, M. B., Davies, G. R., et al. 2025, MNRAS, 544, 3247
2025
-
[37]
N., Trampedach, R., et al
Houdek, G., Lund, M. N., Trampedach, R., et al. 2019, MNRAS, 487, 595
2019
-
[38]
R., Stello, D., et al
Huber, D., Bedding, T. R., Stello, D., et al. 2011, ApJ, 743, 143
2011
-
[39]
R., Metcalfe, T
Huber, D., White, T. R., Metcalfe, T. S., et al. 2022, ApJ, 163, 79
2022
-
[40]
Hunter, J. D. 2007, CiSE, 9, 90
2007
-
[41]
Jones, E., Oliphant, T., & Peterson, P. 2001
2001
-
[42]
2019, arXiv e-prints, arXiv:1906.09428
Kallinger, T. 2019, arXiv e-prints, arXiv:1906.09428
2019 arXiv
-
[43]
& Bedding, T
Kjeldsen, H. & Bedding, T. R. 1995, A&A, 293, 87
1995
-
[44]
& Vazdekis, A
Koleva, M. & Vazdekis, A. 2012, A&A, 538, A143
2012
-
[45]
R., Li, T., et al
Li, Y ., Bedding, T. R., Li, T., et al. 2020, MNRAS, 495, 2363
2020
-
[46]
Lomb, N. R. 1976, Astrophys. Space Sci., 39, 447
1976
-
[47]
N., Basu, S., Bieryla, A., et al
Lund, M. N., Basu, S., Bieryla, A., et al. 2024, A&A, 688, A13
2024
-
[48]
N., Chontos, A., Grundahl, F., et al
Lund, M. N., Chontos, A., Grundahl, F., et al. 2025, A&A, 701, A285
2025
-
[49]
N., Handberg, R., Davies, G
Lund, M. N., Handberg, R., Davies, G. R., Chaplin, W. J., & Jones, C. D. 2015, ApJ, 806, 30
2015
-
[50]
N., Silva Aguirre, V ., Davies, G
Lund, M. N., Silva Aguirre, V ., Davies, G. R., et al. 2017, ApJ, 835, 172
2017
-
[51]
A., Régulo, C., et al
Mathur, S., García, R. A., Régulo, C., et al. 2010, A&A, 511, A46
2010
-
[52]
L., et al
Mathur, S., Handberg, R., Campante, T. L., et al. 2011, ApJ, 733, 95
2011
-
[53]
Mazumdar, A., Monteiro, M. J. P. F. G., Ballot, J., et al. 2014, ApJ, 782, 18
2014
-
[54]
S., Chaplin, W
Metcalfe, T. S., Chaplin, W. J., Appourchaux, T., et al. 2012, ApJ, 748, L10
2012
-
[55]
S., Monteiro, M
Metcalfe, T. S., Monteiro, M. J. P. F. G., Thompson, M. J., et al. 2010, ApJ, 723, 1583
2010
-
[56]
M., et al
Montalto, M., Piotto, G., Marrese, P. M., et al. 2021, A&A, 653, A98
2021
-
[57]
M., et al
Montalto, M., Piotto, G., Marrese, P. M., et al. 2026, The PLATO Input Catalogue of Targets (tPIC) for the First Long Pointing Field
2026
-
[58]
J., et al
Mosser, B., Belkacem, K., Goupil, M. J., et al. 2011, A&A, 525, L9
2011
-
[59]
W., Lane, B
Muterspaugh, M. W., Lane, B. F., Kulkarni, S. R., et al. 2010, ApJ, 140, 1657
2010
-
[60]
2022, A&A, 658, A31
Nascimbeni, V ., Piotto, G., Börner, A., et al. 2022, A&A, 658, A31
2022
-
[61]
2025, A&A, 694, A313
Nascimbeni, V ., Piotto, G., Cabrera, J., et al. 2025, A&A, 694, A313
2025
-
[62]
2026, arXiv e-prints, arXiv:2604.03365
Nascimbeni, V ., Piotto, G., Granata, V ., et al. 2026, arXiv e-prints, arXiv:2604.03365
2026 arXiv
-
[63]
2025, LMFIT: Non-Linear Least- Squares Minimization and Curve-Fitting for Python, Zenodo Article number, page 14 E
Newville, M., Otten, R., Nelson, A., et al. 2025, LMFIT: Non-Linear Least- Squares Minimization and Curve-Fitting for Python, Zenodo Article number, page 14 E. Panetier et al.: Luminaries in the Sky: The TESS LEGACY Sample of Bright Stars
2025
-
[64]
B., Davies, G
Nielsen, M. B., Davies, G. R., Ball, W. H., et al. 2021, ApJ, 161, 62
2021
-
[65]
B., Ong, J
Nielsen, M. B., Ong, J. M. J., Hatt, E. J., et al. 2025, ApJ, 169, 322
2025
-
[66]
Ong, J. M. J. & Basu, S. 2020, ApJ, 898, 127
2020
-
[67]
Ong, J. M. J. & Gehan, C. 2023, ApJ, 946, 92
2023
-
[68]
Ong, J. M. J., Lindsay, C. J., Reyes, C., Stello, D., & Roxburgh, I. W. 2025, ApJ, 980, 199
2025
-
[69]
T., Sreenivas, K
Perdelwitz, V ., Trifonov, T., Teklu, J. T., Sreenivas, K. R., & Tal-Or, L. 2024, A&A, 683, A125
2024
-
[70]
2025, Exp
Rauer, H., Aerts, C., Cabrera, J., et al. 2025, Exp. Astron., 59, 26 Régulo, C., García, R. A., & Ballot, J. 2016, A&A, 589, A103
2025
-
[71]
R., Winn, J
Ricker, G. R., Winn, J. N., Vanderspek, R., et al. 2014, Proceedings of the SPIE, 9143, 914320
2014
-
[72]
& Goupil, M
Samadi, R. & Goupil, M. J. 2001, A&A, 370, 136
2001
-
[73]
Santos, A. R. G., Campante, T. L., Chaplin, W. J., et al. 2019, ApJ, 883, 65
2019
-
[74]
Scargle, J. D. 1982, ApJ, 263, 835
1982
-
[75]
1979, PASJ, 31, 87 Silva Aguirre, V ., Lund, M
Shibahashi, H. 1979, PASJ, 31, 87 Silva Aguirre, V ., Lund, M. N., Antia, H. M., et al. 2017, ApJ, 835, 173
1979
-
[76]
2004, AIP Conference Proceedings, 735, 395 (SK04)
Skilling, J. 2004, AIP Conference Proceedings, 735, 395 (SK04)
2004
-
[77]
2022, A&A, 663, A4
Soubiran, C., Brouillet, N., & Casamiquela, L. 2022, A&A, 663, A4
2022
-
[78]
L., Lagarde, N., et al
Soubiran, C., Creevey, O. L., Lagarde, N., et al. 2024, A&A, 682, A145
2024
-
[79]
Speagle, J. S. 2020, MNRAS, 493, 3132
2020
-
[80]
1980, ApJS, 43, 469 The pandas development team
Tassoul, M. 1980, ApJS, 43, 469 The pandas development team. 2024, Pandas-Dev/Pandas: Pandas, Zenodo Themeßl, N., Hekker, S., Southworth, J., et al. 2018, MNRAS, 478, 4669 van der Walt, S., Colbert, S. C., & Varoquaux, G. 2011, CiSE, 13, 22
1980
-
[81]
R., Bedding, T
White, T. R., Bedding, T. R., Gruberbauer, M., et al. 2012, ApJL, 751, L36
2012
-
[82]
R., Bedding, T
White, T. R., Bedding, T. R., Stello, D., et al. 2011, ApJ, 743, 161 Article number, page 15 A&A proofs:manuscript no. article Appendix A: Mode identification The identification of oscillation modes is a crucial step in as- teroseismic analyses, as it establishes the link betw...
2011
Reviewed June 30, 2026 · model on record in the stance chip above.
Discussion (0). Sign in to comment.