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Olivier D. S. Demangeon

Publications and source records attributed to Olivier D. S. Demangeon.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Uncovering temperate worlds: an updated look at the K2-3 system with ESPRESSO

The K2-3 system is one of the most unique planetary systems as it features three transiting sub-Neptunes in decreasing order of radii, spanning the radius valley. In addition to that, the two outer planets are temperate in nature making this system a perfect laboratory for investigating the nature and formation of small potentially habitable worlds. We present new radial velocity data obtained during the ESPRESSO-GTO programme to add to the archival HARPS, HARPS-N and HIRES data for a total time span of 8 years. This combined dataset significantly improves the masses of the K2-3 planets. We analyse the spectroscopic data with the line-by-line algorithm. We coupled this timeseries with a multi-dimensional Gaussian process framework to disentangle the 40.5-days stellar rotation from the Keplerian signals. We tested models using two activity indicators to ensure the retrieved semi-amplitudes of the planets are not biased by the choice of activity indicator. The multi-dimensional Gaussian process framework, with either activity indicator, yields the following masses: Mb=6.61+/-0.47Me; Mc=2.23+/-0.68Me; Md=2.12+/-1.27Me. Compared to previous works, our detection significance of K2-3b has increased by a factor of two, the mass of K2-3c has slightly decreased and we now have a marginal detection for K2-3d. The positions of the planets in the mass-radius diagram suggest either a H/He-rich or volatile-rich composition for both K2-3b and c, while the nature of K2-3d is ambiguous. A forward atmospheric model suggests that a single visit with JWST can distinguish between a H/He-rich atmosphere from a water-world scenario. This dataset exemplifies the capability of ESPRESSO to detect sub-metre-per-second radial velocity signals for the detection of temperate exoplanets.

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Assessing the Impact of Varying HSO Cross Sections on Photochemical Models: Implications for the Spectral Characterization of Terrestrial Exoplanets

Characterization of exoplanet atmospheres requires a close interplay between observations, modelling and experimental data. The accuracy of input data used in atmospheric models is essential, as it impacts our interpretation of planetary spectra with retrieval codes. Molecular absorption cross sections in the Ultraviolet-Visible range are fundamental input parameters, determining chemical kinetics, particularly on temperate terrestrial planets. However, several atmospheric species remain poorly, or even entirely uncharacterised. This is the case for HSO, a radical with unconstrained photolysis cross sections, often approximated by hydroperoxyl (HO2). Sulphur chemistry can strongly influence the composition of rocky exoplanets, particularly in anoxic environments where volcanic SO2 -- the main source of HSO -- is more efficiently photolysed, and sulphur aerosols like S8 can form. HSO photolysis contributes to the formation of such sulphur chains, which have been proposed as indirect signatures of volcanic outgassing. Assessing the sensitivity of photochemical models to different UV-Visible cross-section prescriptions for HSO is therefore important for guiding its prioritization among poorly characterised atmospheric species. Here, we derive an updated HSO cross-section prescription from simulated HSO2 data, providing a more reliable representation of HSO photolysis than HO2. We compare results from these new cross sections to the default prescription for temperate terrestrial planets with Archean-like atmospheres. We find that our updated HSO cross-section prescription enhances aerosol scattering and absorption signatures in transmission, emission and reflection spectra for planets orbiting G- and K-type stars.

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Spin-Orbit Geometry of AU Mic b and c from Back-to-Back Transits Observed Contemporaneously with Magellan PFS, LCOGT, and CHEOPS

Young planets offer a unique window into the early stages of planetary evolution. AU Mic is one of the nearest (9.8 pc) pre-main sequence stars (~20 Myr), hosting two transiting Neptune-sized planets and a debris disk. Previous studies have shown that the rotation of the central star, the debris disk, and the inner planet b are all aligned, suggesting that the system has not undergone violent evolution. Here we report new Rossiter-McLaughlin (RM) measurements for both AU Mic b and c, which happened to transit back-to-back on Aug 24 and 25, 2024, using the Magellan Planet Finder Spectrograph (PFS), accompanioned with contanporaneous photometry from LCOGT and CHEOPS. We confirm the aligned orbit of AU Mic b ($λ_b=1° \pm 12°$) and finding two possible solutions for AU Mic c: we slightly favor an aligned solution ($λ_c=-10° \pm 16°$) but cannot rule out a polar solution ($λ_c=87°\ ^{+36°}_{-29°}$). Broader considerations, including dynamical stability and transit possibility, also support the mutually aligned scenario. An unexpected stellar signal during ingress and the poor TTV predictions of AU Mic c prevent a precise constraint on its obliquity, and various attempts using chromatic spectral analyses fail to outperform simple data exclusion in mitigating the stellar contamination. Our observation highlights the importance of understanding stellar activity across multiple timescales and channels when characterizing young, active systems. A robust solution for the AU Mic architecture will require either a better understanding of stellar activity or future observations fortuitously free from strong stellar contamination.

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An Ultra-Short Period Super-Earth and a Sub-Neptune Orbiting the K dwarf TOI-4311

We report the discovery and characterisation of the multi-planetary system around TOI-4311, a K dwarf kinematically between the Galactic thick disk and Hercules stream. TOI-4311 hosts an ultra-short-period super-Earth (P$\sim$0.99 d, $1.376\substack{+0.077\\-0.080}$ R$_\oplus$) and a longer period sub-Neptune (P$\sim$15 d, $2.47\substack{+0.12\\-0.11}$ R$_\oplus$) that was first detected in the TESS photometry. Using follow-up observations with CHEOPS and HARPS, we refine the planetary radius of both planets, derive the mass of planet b ($4.5\substack{+1.5\\-1.4}$ M$_\oplus$) and confirm the planetary nature of planet c. Intriguingly, a third periodic signal is clearly detected in our HARPS RVs that we cannot link to stellar activity. This signal could be attributed to a third planet (P$\sim$38 d, Msin(i)=$26.4\substack{+6.3\\-6.8}$ M$_\oplus$) in the system, however with the current photometric dataset we do not find a transit. Our dynamical analysis highlights that this potential outer planet would remain stable. Using the precise radius and mass for TOI-4311 b we model its interior structure and find that it is very dense given the host star's galactic kinematics and chemistry. Hence this system could challenge current formation theories and provide insights into planet formation across the galaxy.

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Gas-depleted planet formation occurred in the four-planet system around the red dwarf LHS 1903

Small exoplanet radii show two populations, referred to as super-Earths and sub-Neptunes, separated by a gap known as the radius valley. This may be produced by the removal of atmospheres due to stellar or internal heating, or lack of an initial envelope. We us transit photometry and radial velocity measurements to detect and characterize four planets orbiting LHS 1903, a red dwarf (M-dwarf) star in the Milky Way's thick disk. The planets have orbital periods between 2.2 and 29.3 days, and span the radius valley within a single planetary system. The derived densities indicate that LHS 1903 b is rocky, while LHS 1903 c and LHS 1903 d have extended atmospheres. Although the most distant planet from the host star, LHS 1903 e, has no gaseous envelope, indicating it formed from gas-depleted material.

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An Ultra-Short Period Super-Earth and Sub-Neptune Spanning the Radius Valley Orbiting the Kinematic Thick Disk Star TOI-2345

A crucial chemical link between stars and their orbiting exoplanets is thought to exist. If universal, this connection could affect the formation and evolution of all planets. Therefore, this potential vital link needs testing by characterising exoplanets around chemically-diverse stars. We present the discovery of two planets orbiting the metal-poor, kinematic thick-disk K-dwarf TOI-2345. TOI-2345 b is a super-Earth with a period of 1.05 days and TOI-2345 c is a sub-Neptune with a period of 21 days. In addition to the target being observed in 4 TESS sectors, we obtained 5 CHEOPS visits and 26 radial velocities from HARPS. By conducting a joint analysis of all the data, we find TOI-2345 b to have a radius of $1.504\substack{+0.047\\-0.044}$ R$_\oplus$ and a mass of $3.49\pm0.85$ M$_\oplus$; and TOI-2345 c to have a radius of $2.451\substack{+0.045\\-0.046}$ R$_\oplus$ and a mass of $7.27\substack{+2.27\\-2.45}$ M$_\oplus$. To explore chemical links between these planets and their host star, we model their interior structures newly accounting for devolatised stellar abundances. TOI-2345 adds to the limited sample of well characterised planetary systems around thick disk stars. This system challenges theories of formation and populations of planets around thick disk stars with its Ultra-Short Period super-Earth and the wide period distribution of these two planets spanning the radius valley.

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In-situ observations of resident space objects with the CHEOPS space telescope

The CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite (CHEOPS) is a partnership between the European Space Agency and Switzerland with important contributions by 10 additional ESA member States. It is the first S-class mission in the ESA Science Programme. CHEOPS has been flying on a Sun-synchronous low Earth orbit since December 2019, collecting millions of short-exposure images in the visible domain to study exoplanet properties. A small yet increasing fraction of CHEOPS images show linear trails caused by resident space objects crossing the instrument field of view. To characterize the population of satellites and orbital debris observed by CHEOPS, all and every science images acquired over the past 3 years have been scanned with a Hough transform algorithm to identify the characteristic linear features that these objects cause on the images. Thousands of trails have been detected. This statistically significant sample shows interesting trends and features such as an increased occurrence rate over the past years as well as the fingerprint of the Starlink constellation. The cross-matching of individual trails with catalogued objects is underway as we aim to measure their distance at the time of observation and deduce the apparent magnitude of the detected objects. As space agencies and private companies are developing new space-based surveillance and tracking activities to catalogue and characterize the distribution of small debris, the CHEOPS experience is timely and relevant. With the first CHEOPS mission extension currently running until the end of 2026, and a possible second extension until the end of 2029, the longer time coverage will make our dataset even more valuable to the community, especially for characterizing objects with recurrent crossings.

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Discovery of two warm mini-Neptunes with contrasting densities orbiting the young K3V star TOI-815

We present the discovery and characterization of two warm mini-Neptunes transiting the K3V star TOI-815 in a K-M binary system. Analysis of the spectra and rotation period reveal it to be a young star with an age of $200^{+400}_{-200}$Myr. TOI-815b has a 11.2-day period and a radius of 2.94$\pm$0.05$\it{R_{\rm\mathrm{\oplus}}}$ with transits observed by TESS, CHEOPS, ASTEP, and LCOGT. The outer planet, TOI-815c, has a radius of 2.62$\pm$0.10$\it{R_{\rm\mathrm{\oplus}}}$, based on observations of three non-consecutive transits with TESS, while targeted CHEOPS photometry and radial velocity follow-up with ESPRESSO were required to confirm the 35-day period. ESPRESSO confirmed the planetary nature of both planets and measured masses of 7.6$\pm$1.5 $\it{M_{\rm \mathrm{\oplus}}}$ ($ρ_\mathrm{P}$=1.64$^{+0.33}_{-0.31}$gcm$^{-3}$) and 23.5$\pm$2.4$\it{M_{\rm\mathrm{\oplus}}}$ ($ρ_\mathrm{P}$=7.2$^{+1.1}_{-1.0}$gcm$^{-3}$) respectively. Thus, the planets have very different masses, unlike the usual similarity of masses in compact multi-planet systems. Moreover, our statistical analysis of mini-Neptunes orbiting FGK stars suggests that weakly irradiated planets tend to have higher bulk densities compared to those suffering strong irradiation. This could be ascribed to their cooler atmospheres, which are more compressed and denser. Internal structure modeling of TOI-815b suggests it likely has a H-He atmosphere constituting a few percent of the total planet mass, or higher if the planet is assumed to have no water. In contrast, the measured mass and radius of TOI-815c can be explained without invoking any atmosphere, challenging planetary formation theories. Finally, we infer from our measurements that the star is viewed close to pole-on, which implies a spin-orbit misalignment at the 3$σ$ level.

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TOI-332 b: a super dense Neptune found deep within the Neptunian desert

To date, thousands of planets have been discovered, but there are regions of the orbital parameter space that are still bare. An example is the short period and intermediate mass/radius space known as the Neptunian desert, where planets should be easy to find but discoveries remain few. This suggests unusual formation and evolution processes are responsible for the planets residing here. We present the discovery of TOI-332 b, a planet with an ultra-short period of $0.78$ d that sits firmly within the desert. It orbits a K0 dwarf with an effective temperature of $5251 \pm 71$ K. TOI-332 b has a radius of $3.20^{+0.16}_{-0.12}$ R$_{\oplus}$, smaller than that of Neptune, but an unusually large mass of $57.2 \pm 1.6$ M$_{\oplus}$. It has one of the highest densities of any Neptune-sized planet discovered thus far at $9.6^{+1.1}_{-1.3}$ gcm$^{-3}$. A 4-layer internal structure model indicates it likely has a negligible hydrogen-helium envelope, something only found for a small handful of planets this massive, and so TOI-332 b presents an interesting challenge to planetary formation theories. We find that photoevaporation cannot account for the mass loss required to strip this planet of the Jupiter-like envelope it would have been expected to accrete. We need to look towards other scenarios, such as high-eccentricity migration, giant impacts, or gap opening in the protoplanetary disc, to try and explain this unusual discovery.

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TOI-908: a planet at the edge of the Neptune desert transiting a G-type star

We present the discovery of an exoplanet transiting TOI-908 (TIC-350153977) using data from TESS sectors 1, 12, 13, 27, 28 and 39. TOI-908 is a T = 10.7 mag G-dwarf ($T_{eff}$ = 5626 $\pm$ 61 K) solar-like star with a mass of 0.950 $\pm$ 0.010 $M_{\odot}$ and a radius of 1.028 $\pm$ 0.030 $R_{\odot}$. The planet, TOI-908 b, is a 3.18 $\pm$ 0.16 $R_{\oplus}$ planet in a 3.18 day orbit. Radial velocity measurements from HARPS reveal TOI-908 b has a mass of approximately 16.1 $\pm$ 4.1 $M_{\oplus}$ , resulting in a bulk planetary density of 2.7+0.2-0.4 g cm-3. TOI-908 b lies in a sparsely-populated region of parameter space known as the Neptune desert. The planet likely began its life as a sub-Saturn planet before it experienced significant photoevaporation due to X-rays and extreme ultraviolet radiation from its host star, and is likely to continue evaporating, losing a significant fraction of its residual envelope mass.

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TESS and CHEOPS Discover Two Warm Sub-Neptunes Transiting the Bright K-dwarf HD 15906

We report the discovery of two warm sub-Neptunes transiting the bright (G = 9.5 mag) K-dwarf HD 15906 (TOI 461, TIC 4646810). This star was observed by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) in sectors 4 and 31, revealing two small transiting planets. The inner planet, HD 15906 b, was detected with an unambiguous period but the outer planet, HD 15906 c, showed only two transits separated by $\sim$ 734 days, leading to 36 possible values of its period. We performed follow-up observations with the CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite (CHEOPS) to confirm the true period of HD 15906 c and improve the radius precision of the two planets. From TESS, CHEOPS and additional ground-based photometry, we find that HD 15906 b has a radius of 2.24 $\pm$ 0.08 R$_\oplus$ and a period of 10.924709 $\pm$ 0.000032 days, whilst HD 15906 c has a radius of 2.93$^{+0.07}_{-0.06}$ R$_\oplus$ and a period of 21.583298$^{+0.000052}_{-0.000055}$ days. Assuming zero bond albedo and full day-night heat redistribution, the inner and outer planet have equilibrium temperatures of 668 $\pm$ 13 K and 532 $\pm$ 10 K, respectively. The HD 15906 system has become one of only six multiplanet systems with two warm ($\lesssim$ 700 K) sub-Neptune sized planets transiting a bright star (G $\leq$ 10 mag). It is an excellent target for detailed characterisation studies to constrain the composition of sub-Neptune planets and test theories of planet formation and evolution.

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TOI-836: A super-Earth and mini-Neptune transiting a nearby K-dwarf

We present the discovery of two exoplanets transiting TOI-836 (TIC 440887364) using data from TESS Sector 11 and Sector 38. TOI-836 is a bright ($T = 8.5$ mag), high proper motion ($\sim\,200$ mas yr$^{-1}$), low metallicity ([Fe/H]$\approx\,-0.28$) K-dwarf with a mass of $0.68\pm0.05$ M$_{\odot}$ and a radius of $0.67\pm0.01$ R$_{\odot}$. We obtain photometric follow-up observations with a variety of facilities, and we use these data-sets to determine that the inner planet, TOI-836 b, is a $1.70\pm0.07$ R$_{\oplus}$ super-Earth in a 3.82 day orbit, placing it directly within the so-called 'radius valley'. The outer planet, TOI-836 c, is a $2.59\pm0.09$ R$_{\oplus}$ mini-Neptune in an 8.60 day orbit. Radial velocity measurements reveal that TOI-836 b has a mass of $4.5\pm0.9$ M$_{\oplus}$ , while TOI-836 c has a mass of $9.6\pm2.6$ M$_{\oplus}$. Photometric observations show Transit Timing Variations (TTVs) on the order of 20 minutes for TOI-836 c, although there are no detectable TTVs for TOI-836 b. The TTVs of planet TOI-836 c may be caused by an undetected exterior planet.

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Uncovering the true periods of the young sub-Neptunes orbiting TOI-2076

Context: TOI-2076 is a transiting three-planet system of sub-Neptunes orbiting a bright (G = 8.9 mag), young ($340\pm80$ Myr) K-type star. Although a validated planetary system, the orbits of the two outer planets were unconstrained as only two non-consecutive transits were seen in TESS photometry. This left 11 and 7 possible period aliases for each. Aims: To reveal the true orbits of these two long-period planets, precise photometry targeted on the highest-probability period aliases is required. Long-term monitoring of transits in multi-planet systems can also help constrain planetary masses through TTV measurements. Methods: We used the MonoTools package to determine which aliases to follow, and then performed space-based and ground-based photometric follow-up of TOI-2076 c and d with CHEOPS, SAINT-EX, and LCO telescopes. Results: CHEOPS observations revealed a clear detection for TOI-2076 c at $P=21.01538^{+0.00084}_{-0.00074}$ d, and allowed us to rule out three of the most likely period aliases for TOI-2076 d. Ground-based photometry further enabled us to rule out remaining aliases and confirm the $P=35.12537\pm0.00067$ d alias. These observations also improved the radius precision of all three sub-Neptunes to $2.518\pm0.036$, $3.497\pm0.043$, and $3.232\pm0.063$ $R_\oplus$. Our observations also revealed a clear anti-correlated TTV signal between planets b and c likely caused by their proximity to the 2:1 resonance, while planets c and d appear close to a 5:3 period commensurability, although model degeneracy meant we were unable to retrieve robust TTV masses. Their inflated radii, likely due to extended H-He atmospheres, combined with low insolation makes all three planets excellent candidates for future comparative transmission spectroscopy with JWST.

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TESS discovery of a sub-Neptune orbiting a mid-M dwarf TOI-2136

We present the discovery of TOI-2136b, a sub-Neptune planet transiting every 7.85 days a nearby M4.5V-type star, identified through photometric measurements from the TESS mission. The host star is located $33$ pc away with a radius of $R_{\ast} = 0.34\pm0.02\ R_{\odot}$, a mass of $0.34\pm0.02\ M_{\odot}$ and an effective temperature of $\rm 3342\pm100\ K$. We estimate its stellar rotation period to be $75\pm5$ days based on archival long-term photometry. We confirm and characterize the planet based on a series of ground-based multi-wavelength photometry, high-angular-resolution imaging observations, and precise radial velocities from CFHT/SPIRou. Our joint analysis reveals that the planet has a radius of $2.19\pm0.17\ R_{\oplus}$, and a mass measurement of $6.4\pm2.4\ M_{\oplus}$. The mass and radius of TOI2136b is consistent with a broad range of compositions, from water-ice to gas-dominated worlds. TOI-2136b falls close to the radius valley for low-mass stars predicted by the thermally driven atmospheric mass loss models, making it an interesting target for future studies of its interior structure and atmospheric properties.

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A compositional link between rocky exoplanets and their host stars

Stars and planets both form by accreting material from a surrounding disk. Because they grow from the same material, theory predicts that there should be a relationship between their compositions. In this study, we search for a compositional link between rocky exoplanets and their host stars. We estimate the iron-mass fraction of rocky exoplanets from their masses and radii and compare it with the compositions of their host stars, which we assume reflect the compositions of the protoplanetary disks. We find a correlation (but not a 1:1 relationship) between these two quantities, with a slope of >4, which we interpret as being attributable to planet formation processes. Super-Earths and super-Mercuries appear to be distinct populations with differing compositions, implying differences in their formation processes.

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Warm terrestrial planet with half the mass of Venus transiting a nearby star

The advent of a new generation of radial velocity instruments has allowed us to break the one Earth-mass barrier. We report a new milestone in this context with the detection of the lowest-mass planet measured so far using radial velocities: L 98-59 b, a rocky planet with half the mass of Venus. It is part of a system composed of three known transiting terrestrial planets (planets b to d). We announce the discovery of a fourth nontransiting planet with a minimum mass of 3.06_{-0.37}^{+0.33} MEarth and an orbital period of 12.796_{-0.019}^{+0.020} days and report indications for the presence of a fifth nontransiting terrestrial planet. With a minimum mass of 2.46_{-0.82}^{+0.66} MEarth and an orbital period 23.15_{-0.17}^{+0.60} days, this planet, if confirmed, would sit in the middle of the habitable zone of the L 98-59 system. L 98-59 is a bright M dwarf located 10.6 pc away. Positioned at the border of the continuous viewing zone of the James Webb Space Telescope, this system is destined to become a corner stone for comparative exoplanetology of terrestrial planets. The three transiting planets have transmission spectrum metrics ranging from 49 to 255, which makes them prime targets for an atmospheric characterization with the James Webb Space Telescope, the Hubble Space Telescope, Ariel, or ground-based facilities such as NIRPS or ESPRESSO. With an equilibrium temperature ranging from 416 to 627 K, they offer a unique opportunity to study the diversity of warm terrestrial planets. L 98-59 b and c have densities of 3.6_{-1.5}^{+1.4} and 4.57_{-0.85}^{+0.77} g.cm^{-3}, respectively, and have very similar bulk compositions with a small iron core that represents only 12 to 14 % of the total mass, and a small amount of water. However, with a density of 2.95_{-0.51}^{+0.79} g.cm^{-3} and despite a similar core mass fraction, up to 30 % of the mass of L 98-59 d might be water.

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The Magellan-TESS Survey I: Survey Description and Mid-Survey Results

$Kepler$ revealed that roughly one-third of Sun-like stars host planets orbiting within 100 days and between the size of Earth and Neptune. How do these planets form, what are they made of, and do they represent a continuous population or multiple populations? To help address these questions, we began the Magellan-TESS Survey (MTS), which uses Magellan II/PFS to obtain radial velocity (RV) masses of 30 TESS-detected exoplanets and develops an analysis framework that connects observed planet distributions to underlying populations. In the past, small planet RV measurements have been challenging to obtain due to host star faintness and low RV semi-amplitudes, and challenging to interpret due to the potential biases in target selection and observation planning decisions. The MTS attempts to minimize these biases by focusing on bright TESS targets and employing a quantitative selection function and observing strategy. In this paper, we (1) describe our motivation and survey strategy, (2) present our first catalog of planet density constraints for 27 TESS Objects of Interest (TOIs; 22 in our population analysis sample, 12 that are members of the same systems), and (3) employ a hierarchical Bayesian model to produce preliminary constraints on the mass-radius (M-R) relation. We find that the biases causing previous M-R relations to predict fairly high masses at $1~R_\oplus$ have been reduced. This work can inform more detailed studies of individual systems and offer a framework that can be applied to future RV surveys with the goal of population inferences.

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TOI-431/HIP 26013: a super-Earth and a sub-Neptune transiting a bright, early K dwarf, with a third RV planet

We present the bright (V$_{mag} = 9.12$), multi-planet system TOI-431, characterised with photometry and radial velocities. We estimate the stellar rotation period to be $30.5 \pm 0.7$ days using archival photometry and radial velocities. TOI-431b is a super-Earth with a period of 0.49 days, a radius of 1.28 $\pm$ 0.04 R$_{\oplus}$, a mass of $3.07 \pm 0.35$ M$_{\oplus}$, and a density of $8.0 \pm 1.0$ g cm$^{-3}$; TOI-431d is a sub-Neptune with a period of 12.46 days, a radius of $3.29 \pm 0.09$ R$_{\oplus}$, a mass of $9.90^{+1.53}_{-1.49}$ M$_{\oplus}$, and a density of $1.36 \pm 0.25$ g cm$^{-3}$. We find a third planet, TOI-431c, in the HARPS radial velocity data, but it is not seen to transit in the TESS light curves. It has an $M \sin i$ of $2.83^{+0.41}_{-0.34}$ M$_{\oplus}$, and a period of 4.85 days. TOI-431d likely has an extended atmosphere and is one of the most well-suited TESS discoveries for atmospheric characterisation, while the super-Earth TOI-431b may be a stripped core. These planets straddle the radius gap, presenting an interesting case-study for atmospheric evolution, and TOI-431b is a prime TESS discovery for the study of rocky planet phase curves.

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