arXiv subjects

A. P. Hatzes

Publications and source records attributed to A. P. Hatzes.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2021

The CARMENES search for exoplanets around M dwarfs, No evidence for a super-Earth in a 2-day orbit around GJ 1151

The interaction between Earth-like exoplanets and the magnetic field of low-mass host stars are considered to produce weak emission signals at radio frequencies. A study using LOFAR data announced the detection of radio emission from the mid M-type dwarf GJ 1151 that could potentially arise from a close-in terrestrial planet. Recently, the presence of a 2.5-Me planet orbiting GJ 1151 with a 2-day period has been claimed using 69 radial velocities (RVs) from the HARPS-N and HPF instruments. We have obtained 70 new high-precision RV measurements in the framework of the CARMENES M-dwarf survey and use these data to confirm the presence of the claimed planet and to place limits on possible planetary companions in the GJ 1151 system. We analyse the periodicities present in the combined RV data sets from all three instruments and calculate the detection limits for potential planets in short-period orbits. We cannot confirm the recently-announced candidate planet and conclude that the 2-day signal in the HARPS-N and HPF data sets is most probably produced by a long-term RV variability possibly arising from an outer planetary companion yet unconstrained. We calculate a 99.9% significance detection limit of 1.50 ms-1 in the RV semi-amplitude, which places upper limits of 0.7 Me and 1.2 Me to the minimum masses of any potential exoplanets with orbital periods of 1 and 5 days, respectively.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2021

Simultaneous photometric and CARMENES spectroscopic monitoring of fast-rotating M dwarf GJ 3270. Discovery of a post-flare corotating feature

Context: Active M dwarfs frequently exhibit large flares, which can pose an existential threat to the habitability of any planet in orbit in addition to making said planets more difficult to detect. M dwarfs do not lose angular momentum as easily as earlier-type stars, which maintain the high levels of stellar activity for far longer. Studying young, fast-rotating M dwarfs is key to understanding their near stellar environment and the evolution of activity Aims: We study stellar activity on the fast-rotating M dwarf GJ 3270. Methods: We analyzed dedicated high cadence, simultaneous, photometric and high-resolution spectroscopic observations obtained with CARMENES of GJ 3270 over 7.7 h, covering a total of eight flares of which two are strong enough to facilitate a detailed analysis. We consult the TESS data, obtained in the month prior to our own observations, to study rotational modulation and to compare the TESS flares to those observed in our campaign. Results: The TESS data exhibit rotational modulation with a period of 0.37 d. The strongest flare covered by our observing campaign released a total energy of about 3.6e32 erg, putting it close to the superflare regime. This flare is visible in the B,V, r, i, and z photometric bands, which allows us to determine a peak temperature of about 10,000 K. The flare also leaves clear marks in the spectral time series. In particular, we observe an evolving, mainly blue asymmetry in chromospheric lines, which we attribute to a post-flare, corotating feature. To our knowledge this is the first time such a feature has been seen on a star other than our Sun. Conclusions: Our photometric and spectroscopic time series covers the eruption of a strong flare followed up by a corotating feature analogous to a post-flare arcadal loop on the Sun with a possible failed ejection of material.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2021

Mass and density of the transiting hot and rocky super-Earth LHS 1478 b (TOI-1640 b)

One of the main objectives of the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite ({TESS}) mission is the discovery of small rocky planets around relatively bright nearby stars. Here, we report the discovery and characterization of the transiting super-Earth planet orbiting LHS~1478 (TOI-1640). The star is an inactive red dwarf ($J \sim 9.6$\,mag and spectral type m3\,V) with mass and radius estimates of $0.20\pm0.01$\,$M_{\odot}$ and $0.25\pm0.01$\,$R_{\odot}$, respectively, and an effective temperature of $3381\pm54$\,K.It was observed by \tess in four sectors. These data revealed a transit-like feature with a period of 1.949 days. We combined the TESS data with three ground-based transit measurements, 57 radial velocity (RV) measurements from CARMENES, and 13 RV measurements from IRD, determining that the signal is produced by a planet with a mass of $2.33^{+0.20}_{-0.20}$\,$M_{\oplus}$ and a radius of $1.24^{+0.05}_{-0.05}$\,$R_{\oplus}$. The resulting bulk density of this planet is 6.67\,g\,cm$^{-3}$, which is consistent with a rocky planet with an Fe- and MgSiO$_3$-dominated composition. Although the planet would be too hot to sustain liquid water on its surface (its equilibrium temperature is about $\sim$595\,K, suggesting a Venus-like atmosphere), spectroscopic metrics based on the capabilities of the forthcoming James Webb Space Telescope and the fact that the host star is rather inactive indicate that this is one of the most favorable known rocky exoplanets for atmospheric characterization.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2021

A nearby transiting rocky exoplanet that is suitable for atmospheric investigation

Spectroscopy of transiting exoplanets can be used to investigate their atmospheric properties and habitability. Combining radial velocity (RV) and transit data provides additional information on exoplanet physical properties. We detect a transiting rocky planet with an orbital period of 1.467 days around the nearby red dwarf star Gliese 486. The planet Gliese 486 b is 2.81 Earth masses and 1.31 Earth radii, with uncertainties of 5%, as determined from RV data and photometric light curves. The host star is at a distance of ~8.1 parsecs, has a J-band magnitude of ~7.2, and is observable from both hemispheres of Earth. On the basis of these properties and the planet's short orbital period and high equilibrium temperature, we show that this terrestrial planet is suitable for emission and transit spectroscopy.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2020

A planetary system with two transiting mini-Neptunes near the radius valley transition around the bright M dwarf TOI-776

We report the discovery and characterization of two transiting planets around the bright M1 V star LP 961-53 (TOI-776, J = 8.5 mag, M = 0.54+-0.03 Msun) detected during Sector 10 observations of the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). Combining the TESS photometry with HARPS radial velocities, as well as ground-based follow-up transit observations from MEarth and LCOGT telescopes, we measured for the inner planet, TOI-776 b, a period of 8.25 d, a radius of 1.85+-0.13 Re, and a mass of 4.0+-0.9 Me; and for the outer planet, TOI-776 c, a period of 15.66 d, a radius of 2.02+-0.14 Re, and a mass of 5.3+-1.8 Me. The Doppler data shows one additional signal, with a period of 34 d, associated with the rotational period of the star. The analysis of fifteen years of ground-based photometric monitoring data and the inspection of different spectral line indicators confirm this assumption. The bulk densities of TOI-776 b and c allow for a wide range of possible interior and atmospheric compositions. However, both planets have retained a significant atmosphere, with slightly different envelope mass fractions. Thanks to their location near the radius gap for M dwarfs, we can start to explore the mechanism(s) responsible for the radius valley emergence around low-mass stars as compared to solar-like stars. While a larger sample of well-characterized planets in this parameter space is still needed to draw firm conclusions, we tentatively estimate that the stellar mass below which thermally-driven mass loss is no longer the main formation pathway for sculpting the radius valley is between 0.63 and 0.54 Msun. Due to the brightness of the star, the TOI-776 system is also an excellent target for the James Webb Space Telescope, providing a remarkable laboratory to break the degeneracy in planetary interior models and to test formation and evolution theories of small planets around low-mass stars.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2020

The CARMENES search for exoplanets around M dwarfs. Three temperate to warm super-Earths

We announce the discovery of two planets orbiting the M dwarfs GJ 251 ($0.360\pm0.015$ M$_\odot$) and HD 238090 ($0.578\pm0.021$ M$_\odot$) based on CARMENES radial velocity (RV) data. In addition, we independently confirm with CARMENES data the existence of Lalande 21185 b, a planet that has recently been discovered with the SOPHIE spectrograph. All three planets belong to the class of warm or temperate super-Earths and share similar properties. The orbital periods are 14.24 d, 13.67 d, and 12.95 d and the minimum masses are $4.0\pm0.4$ $M_\oplus$, $6.9\pm0.9$ $M_\oplus$, and $2.7\pm0.3$ $M_\oplus$ for GJ 251 b, HD 238090 b, and Lalande 21185 b, respectively. Based on the orbital and stellar properties, we estimate equilibrium temperatures of $351.0\pm1.4$ K for GJ 251 b, $469.6\pm2.6$ K for HD 238090 b, and $370.1\pm6.8$ K for Lalande 21185 b. For the latter we resolve the daily aliases that were present in the SOPHIE data and that hindered an unambiguous determination of the orbital period. We find no significant signals in any of our spectral activity indicators at the planetary periods. The RV observations were accompanied by contemporaneous photometric observations. We derive stellar rotation periods of $122.1\pm2.2$ d and $96.7\pm3.7$ d for GJ 251 and HD 238090, respectively. The RV data of all three stars exhibit significant signals at the rotational period or its first harmonic. For GJ 251 and Lalande 21185, we also find long-period signals around 600 d, and 2900 d, respectively, which we tentatively attribute to long-term magnetic cycles. We apply a Bayesian approach to carefully model the Keplerian signals simultaneously with the stellar activity using Gaussian process regression models and extensively search for additional significant planetary signals hidden behind the stellar activity.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2020

Discovery of a hot, transiting, Earth-sized planet and a second temperate, non-transiting planet around the M4 dwarf GJ 3473 (TOI-488)

We present the confirmation and characterisation of GJ 3473 b (G 50--16, TOI-488.01), a hot Earth-sized planet orbiting an M4 dwarf star, whose transiting signal ($P=1.1980035\pm0.0000018\mathrm{\,d}$) was first detected by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). Through a joint modelling of follow-up radial velocity observations with CARMENES, IRD, and HARPS together with extensive ground-based photometric follow-up observations with LCOGT, MuSCAT, and MuSCAT2, we determined a precise planetary mass, $M_b = 1.86\pm0.30\,\mathrm{M_\oplus},$ and radius, $R_b = {1.264\pm0.050}\,\mathrm{R_\oplus}$. Additionally, we report the discovery of a second, temperate, non-transiting planet in the system, GJ 3473 c, which has a minimum mass, $M_c \sin{i} = {7.41\pm0.91}\,\mathrm{M_\oplus,}$ and orbital period, $P_c={15.509\pm0.033}\,\mathrm{d}$. The inner planet of the system, GJ 3473 b, is one of the hottest transiting Earth-sized planets known thus far, accompanied by a dynamical mass measurement, which makes it a particularly attractive target for thermal emission spectroscopy.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2020

The TOI-763 system: sub-Neptunes orbiting a Sun-like star

We report the discovery of a planetary system orbiting TOI-763 (aka CD-39 7945), a $V=10.2$, high proper motion G-type dwarf star that was photometrically monitored by the TESS space mission in Sector 10. We obtain and model the stellar spectrum and find an object slightly smaller than the Sun, and somewhat older, but with a similar metallicity. Two planet candidates were found in the light curve to be transiting the star. Combining TESS transit photometry with HARPS high-precision radial velocity follow-up measurements confirm the planetary nature of these transit signals. We determine masses, radii, and bulk densities of these two planets. A third planet candidate was discovered serendipitously in the radial velocity data. The inner transiting planet,TOI-763 b, has an orbital period of $P_\mathrm{b}$ = 5.6~days, a mass of $M_\mathrm{b}$ = $9.8\pm0.8$ $M_\oplus$, and a radius of $R_\mathrm{b}$ = $2.37\pm0.10$ $R_\oplus$. The second transiting planet,TOI-763 c, has an orbital period of $P_\mathrm{c}$ = 12.3~days, a mass of $M_\mathrm{c}$ = $9.3\pm1.0$ $M_\oplus$, and a radius of $R_\mathrm{c}$ = $2.87\pm0.11$ $R_\oplus$. We find the outermost planet candidate to orbit the star with a period of $\sim$48~days. If confirmed as a planet it would have a minimum mass of $M_\mathrm{d}$ = $9.5\pm1.6$ $M_\oplus$. We investigated the TESS light curve in order to search for a mono transit by planet~d without success. We discuss the importance and implications of this planetary system in terms of the geometrical arrangements of planets orbiting G-type stars.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2020

The CARMENES search for exoplanets around M dwarfs -- A deep learning approach to determine fundamental parameters of target stars

Existing and upcoming instrumentation is collecting large amounts of astrophysical data, which require efficient and fast analysis techniques. We present a deep neural network architecture to analyze high-resolution stellar spectra and predict stellar parameters such as effective temperature, surface gravity, metallicity, and rotational velocity. With this study, we firstly demonstrate the capability of deep neural networks to precisely recover stellar parameters from a synthetic training set. Secondly, we analyze the application of this method to observed spectra and the impact of the synthetic gap (i.e., the difference between observed and synthetic spectra) on the estimation of stellar parameters, their errors, and their precision. Our convolutional network is trained on synthetic PHOENIX-ACES spectra in different optical and near-infrared wavelength regions. For each of the four stellar parameters, $T_{\rm eff}$, $\log{g}$, [M/H], and $v \sin{i}$, we constructed a neural network model to estimate each parameter independently. We then applied this method to 50 M dwarfs with high-resolution spectra taken with CARMENES (Calar Alto high-Resolution search for M dwarfs with Exo-earths with Near-infrared and optical Echelle Spectrographs), which operates in the visible (520-960 nm) and near-infrared wavelength range (960-1710 nm) simultaneously. Our results are compared with literature values for these stars. They show mostly good agreement within the errors, but also exhibit large deviations in some cases, especially for [M/H], pointing out the importance of a better understanding of the synthetic gap.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2020

The CARMENES search for exoplanets around M dwarfs: Convective shift and starspot constraints from chromatic radial velocities

Context. Variability caused by stellar activity represents a challenge to the discovery and characterization of terrestrial exoplanets and complicates the interpretation of atmospheric planetary signals. Aims. We aim to use a detailed modeling tool to reproduce the effect of active regions on radial velocity measurements, which aids the identification of the key parameters that have an impact on the induced variability. Methods. We analyzed the effect of stellar activity on radial velocities as a function of wavelength by simulating the impact of the properties of spots, shifts induced by convective motions, and rotation. We focused our modeling effort on the active star YZ CMi (GJ 285), which was photometrically and spectroscopically monitored with CARMENES and the Telescopi Joan Oró. Results. We demonstrate that radial velocity curves at different wavelengths yield determinations of key properties of active regions, including spot filling factor, temperature contrast, and location, thus solving the degeneracy between them. Most notably, our model is also sensitive to convective motions. Results indicate a reduced convective shift for M dwarfs when compared to solar-type stars (in agreement with theoretical extrapolations) and points to a small global convective redshift instead of blueshift. Conclusions. Using a novel approach based on simultaneous chromatic radial velocities and light curves, we can set strong constraints on stellar activity, including an elusive parameter such as the net convective motion effect.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2020

Precise mass and radius of a transiting super-Earth planet orbiting the M dwarf TOI-1235: a planet in the radius gap?

We report the confirmation of a transiting planet around the bright, inactive M0.5 V star TOI-1235 (TYC 4384-1735-1, V = 11.5 mag), whose transit signal was detected in the photometric time series of Sectors 14, 20, and 21 of the TESS space mission. We confirm the planetary nature of the transit signal, which has a period of 3.44 d, by using precise radial velocity measurements with CARMENES and HARPS-N spectrographs. A comparison of the properties derived for TOI-1235 b's with theoretical models reveals that the planet has a rocky composition, with a bulk density slightly higher than Earth's. In particular, we measure a mass of M_p = 5.9+/-0.6 M_Earth and a radius of R_p = 1.69+/-0.08 R_Earth, which together result in a density of rho_p = 6.7+1.3-1.1 g/cm3. When compared with other well-characterized exoplanetary systems, the particular combination of planetary radius and mass puts our discovery in the radius gap, a transition region between rocky planets and planets with significant atmospheric envelopes, with few known members. While the exact location of the radius gap for M dwarfs is still a matter of debate, our results constrain it to be located at around 1.7 R_Earth or larger at the insolation levels received by TOI-1235 b (~60 S_Earth), which makes it an extremely interesting object for further studies of planet formation and atmospheric evolution.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2020

The CARMENES search for exoplanets around M dwarfs. Variability of the He I line at 10830 Å

The He I infrared (IR) triplet at 10830 Åis known as an activity indicator in solar-type stars and has become a primary diagnostic in exoplanetary transmission spectroscopy. He I lines are a tracer of the stellar extreme-ultraviolet irradiation from the transition region and corona. We study the variability of the He I IR triplet lines in a spectral time series of 319 M~dwarf stars that was obtained with the CARMENES high-resolution optical and near-infrared spectrograph at Calar Alto. We detect He I IR line variability in 18% of our sample stars, all of which show H$α$ in emission. Therefore, we find detectable He I IR variability in 78% of the sub-sample of stars with H$α$ emission. Detectable variability is strongly concentrated in the latest spectral sub-types, where the He I IR lines during quiescence are typically weak. The fraction of stars with detectable He I IR variation remains lower than 10% for stars earlier than M3.0 V, while it exceeds 30% for the later spectral sub-types. Flares are accompanied by particularly pronounced line variations, including strongly broadened lines with red and blue asymmetries. However, we also find evidence for enhanced He I IR absorption, which is potentially associated with increased high-energy irradiation levels at flare onset. Generally, He I IR and H$α$ line variations tend to be correlated, with H$α$ being the most sensitive indicator in terms of pseudo-equivalent width variation. This makes the He I IR triplet a favourable target for planetary transmission spectroscopy.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2020

The CARMENES search for exoplanets around M dwarfs. A super-Earth planet orbiting HD 79211 (GJ 338 B)

We report on radial velocity time series for two M0.0V stars, GJ338B and GJ338A, using the CARMENES spectrograph, complemented by ground-telescope photometry from Las Cumbres and Sierra Nevada observatories. We aim to explore the presence of small planets in tight orbits using the spectroscopic radial velocity technique. We obtained 159 and 70 radial velocity measurements of GJ338B and A, respectively, with the CARMENES visible channel. We also compiled additional relative radial velocity measurements from the literature and a collection of astrometric data that cover 200 a of observations to solve for the binary orbit. We found dynamical masses of 0.64$\pm$0.07M$_\odot$ for GJ338B and 0.69$\pm$0.07M$_\odot$ for GJ338A. The CARMENES radial velocity periodograms show significant peaks at 16.61$\pm$0.04 d (GJ338B) and 16.3$^{+3.5}_{-1.3}$ d (GJ338A), which have counterparts at the same frequencies in CARMENES activity indicators and photometric light curves. We attribute these to stellar rotation. GJ338B shows two additional, significant signals at 8.27$\pm$0.01 and 24.45$\pm$0.02 d, with no obvious counterparts in the stellar activity indices. The former is likely the first harmonic of the star's rotation, while we ascribe the latter to the existence of a super-Earth planet with a minimum mass of 10.27$^{+1.47}_{-1.38}$$M_{\oplus}$ orbiting GJ338B. GJ338B b lies inside the inner boundary of the habitable zone around its parent star. It is one of the least massive planets ever found around any member of stellar binaries. The masses, spectral types, brightnesses, and even the rotational periods are very similar for both stars, which are likely coeval and formed from the same molecular cloud, yet they differ in the architecture of their planetary systems.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2020

The CARMENES search for exoplanets around M dwarfs. Radial velocities and activity indicators from cross-correlation functions with weighted binary masks

For years, the standard procedure to measure radial velocities (RVs) of spectral observations consisted in cross-correlating the spectra with a binary mask, that is, a simple stellar template that contains information on the position and strength of stellar absorption lines. The cross-correlation function (CCF) profiles also provide several indicators of stellar activity. We present a methodology to first build weighted binary masks and, second, to compute the CCF of spectral observations with these masks from which we derive radial velocities and activity indicators. These methods are implemented in a python code that is publicly available. To build the masks, we selected a large number of sharp absorption lines based on the profile of the minima present in high signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) spectrum templates built from observations of reference stars. We computed the CCFs of observed spectra and derived RVs and the following three standard activity indicators: full-width-at-half-maximum as well as contrast and bisector inverse slope.We applied our methodology to CARMENES high-resolution spectra and obtain RV and activity indicator time series of more than 300 M dwarf stars observed for the main CARMENES survey. Compared with the standard CARMENES template matching pipeline, in general we obtain more precise RVs in the cases where the template used in the standard pipeline did not have enough S/N. We also show the behaviour of the three activity indicators for the active star YZ CMi and estimate the absolute RV of the M dwarfs analysed using the CCF RVs.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2020

Three planets transiting the evolved star EPIC 249893012: a hot 8.8-M$_\oplus$ super-Earth and two warm 14.7 and 10.2-M$_\oplus$ sub-Neptunes

We report the discovery of a new planetary system with three transiting planets, one super-Earth and two sub-Neptunes, that orbit EPIC\,249893012, a G8\,IV-V evolved star ($M_\star$\,=\,1.05\,$\pm$\,0.05\,$M_\odot$, $R_\star$\,=\,1.71\,$\pm$\,0.04\,$R_\odot$, $T_\mathrm{eff}$\,=5430\,$\pm$\,85\,K). The star is just leaving the main sequence. We combined \ktwo \ photometry with IRCS adaptive-optics imaging and HARPS, HARPS-N, and CARMENES high-precision radial velocity measurements to confirm the planetary system, determine the stellar parameters, and measure radii, masses, and densities of the three planets. With an orbital period of $3.5949^{+0.0007}_{-0.0007}$ days, a mass of $8.75^{+1.09}_{-1.08}\ M_{\oplus}$ , and a radius of $1.95^{+0.09}_{-0.08}\ R_{\oplus}$, the inner planet b is compatible with nickel-iron core and a silicate mantle ($ρ_b= 6.39^{+1.19}_{-1.04}$ g cm$^{-3}$). Planets c and d with orbital periods of $15.624^{+0.001}_{-0.001}$ and $35.747^{+0.005}_{-0.005}$ days, respectively, have masses and radii of $14.67^{+1,84}_{-1.89}\ M_{\oplus}$ and $3.67^{+0.17}_{-0.14}\ R_{\oplus}$ and $10.18^{+2.46}_{-2.42}\ M_{\oplus}$ and $3.94^{+0.13}_{-0.12}\ R_{\oplus}$, respectively, yielding a mean density of $1.62^{+0.30}_{-0.29}$ and $0.91^{+0.25}_{-0.23}$ g cm$^{-3}$, respectively. The radius of planet b lies in the transition region between rocky and gaseous planets, but its density is consistent with a rocky composition. Its semimajor axis and the corresponding photoevaporation levels to which the planet has been exposed might explain its measured density today. In contrast, the densities and semimajor axes of planets c and d suggest a very thick atmosphere. The singularity of this system, which orbits a slightly evolved star that is just leaving the main sequence, makes it a good candidate for a deeper study from a dynamical point of view.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2020

The CARMENES search for exoplanets around M dwarfs. Dynamical characterization of the multiple planet system GJ 1148 and prospects of habitable exomoons around GJ 1148 b

Context. GJ 1148 is an M-dwarf star hosting a planetary system composed of two Saturn-mass planets in eccentric orbits with periods of 41.38 and 532.02 days. Aims. We reanalyze the orbital configuration and dynamics of the GJ 1148 multi-planetary system based on new precise radial velocity (RV) measurements taken with CARMENES. Methods. We combined new and archival precise Doppler measurements from CARMENES with those available from HIRES for GJ 1148 and modeled these data with a self-consistent dynamical model. We studied the orbital dynamics of the system using the secular theory and direct N-body integrations. The prospects of potentially habitable moons around GJ 1148 b were examined. Results. The refined dynamical analyses show that the GJ 1148 system is long-term stable in a large phase-space of orbital parameters with an orbital configuration suggesting apsidal alignment, but not in any particular high-order mean-motion resonant commensurability. GJ 1148 b orbits inside the optimistic habitable zone (HZ). We find only a narrow stability region around the planet where exomoons can exist. However, in this stable region exomoons exhibit quick orbital decay due to tidal interaction with the planet. Conclusions. The GJ 1148 planetary system is a very rare M-dwarf planetary system consisting of a pair of gas giants, the inner of which resides in the HZ. We conclude that habitable exomoons around GJ 1148 b are very unlikely to exist.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2020

Mass determinations of the three mini-Neptunes transiting TOI-125

The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, TESS, is currently carrying out an all-sky search for small planets transiting bright stars. In the first year of the TESS survey, steady progress was made in achieving the mission's primary science goal of establishing bulk densities for 50 planets smaller than Neptune. During that year, TESS's observations were focused on the southern ecliptic hemisphere, resulting in the discovery of three mini-Neptunes orbiting the star TOI-125, a V=11.0 K0 dwarf. We present intensive HARPS radial velocity observations, yielding precise mass measurements for TOI-125b, TOI-125c and TOI-125d. TOI-125b has an orbital period of 4.65 days, a radius of $2.726 \pm 0.075 ~\mathrm{R_{\rm E}}$, a mass of $ 9.50 \pm 0.88 ~\mathrm{M_{\rm E}}$ and is near the 2:1 mean motion resonance with TOI-125c at 9.15 days. TOI-125c has a similar radius of $2.759 \pm 0.10 ~\mathrm{R_{\rm E}}$ and a mass of $ 6.63 \pm 0.99 ~\mathrm{M_{\rm E}}$, being the puffiest of the three planets. TOI-125d, has an orbital period of 19.98 days and a radius of $2.93 \pm 0.17~\mathrm{R_{\rm E}}$ and mass $13.6 \pm 1.2 ~\mathrm{M_{\rm E}}$. For TOI-125b and TOI-125d we find unusual high eccentricities of $0.19\pm 0.04$ and $0.17^{+0.08}_{-0.06}$, respectively. Our analysis also provides upper mass limits for the two low-SNR planet candidates in the system; for TOI-125.04 ($R_P=1.36 ~\mathrm{R_{\rm E}}$, $P=$0.53 days) we find a $2σ$ upper mass limit of $1.6~\mathrm{M_{\rm E}}$, whereas TOI-125.05 ( $R_P=4.2^{+2.4}_{-1.4} ~\mathrm{R_{\rm E}}$, $P=$ 13.28 days) is unlikely a viable planet candidate with upper mass limit $2.7~\mathrm{M_{\rm E}}$. We discuss the internal structure of the three confirmed planets, as well as dynamical stability and system architecture for this intriguing exoplanet system.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2019

A giant exoplanet orbiting a very low-mass star challenges planet formation models

Statistical analyses from exoplanet surveys around low-mass stars indicate that super-Earth and Neptune-mass planets are more frequent than gas giants around such stars, in agreement with core accretion theory of planet formation. Using precise radial velocities derived from visual and near-infrared spectra, we report the discovery of a giant planet with a minimum mass of 0.46 Jupiter masses in an eccentric 204-day orbit around the very low-mass star GJ 3512. Dynamical models show that the high eccentricity of the orbit is most likely explained from planet-planet interactions. The reported planetary system challenges current formation theories and puts stringent constraints on the accretion and migration rates of planet formation and evolution models, indicating that disc instability may be more efficient in forming planets than previously thought.

astro-ph.EP↗