arXiv subjects

T. Kodama

Publications and source records attributed to T. Kodama.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Rapid quenching and early gas depletion in the core of a galaxy protocluster at z=2.2

Understanding how galaxy evolution is affected in forming high-z overdensities is a major open question in modern astrophysics. Here, we present the average properties of the quiescent galaxy population recently identified in the core of the Spiderweb protocluster at z = 2.16. By stacking observations from the Hubble Space Telescope (HST; F160W imaging and G141 grism spectroscopy), the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST; PaBeta narrowband imaging), and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA; 1.2 mm dust continuum imaging), we constrained their ensemble star formation history (SFH), residual dust-obscured star formation, and cold gas mass, respectively. The inferred average SFH indicates steady stellar mass growth, with progenitor SFRs consistent with those of massive Halpha emitters (HAEs) in the same structure. This is followed by rapid quenching, on average 500 Myr prior to observation. No significant age differences are found between active galactic nucleus (AGN) hosts and non-AGN systems. We find weak PaBeta emission for 80% of the sample, yet with dust-obscured star formation rates consistent with quiescence in all but one source (ID 443) excluded from the sample. Our galaxies remain individually and globally undetected in the dust continuum, yielding an average gas fraction fgas= Mmol/Mstar<7%, consistent with previously reported gas depletion trends with stellar mass observed in neighboring HAEs. We thus find the Spiderweb protocluster to host a sizable population of gas-depleted, massive quenched galaxies in its core, likely descending from main-sequence galaxy progenitors and building the first elements of the red sequence in this high-z forming cluster.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2026

Mass--size evolution and the emerging passive--density relation revealed by JWST/NIRCam in the Spiderweb protocluster

We investigate how the environment affects galaxy structure in the Spiderweb protocluster at $z=2.16$ using JWST/NIRCam F115W, F182M, and F410M imaging (rest-frame $\sim 3500${\AA} to $1.4\,\mu$m). We perform homogeneous multi-wavelength parametric modelling of the single-S\'ersic and bulge--disc decomposition for the Spiderweb member sample of 103 galaxies within the JWST field of view (up to $\sim 2\times R_{200}$). Star-forming galaxies follow a mass--size relation broadly consistent with the field, with a mildly steeper trend at the high-mass end within uncertainties. Passive galaxies exhibit a flatter mass--size relation, and their typical size (intercept at fixed stellar mass) lies between that of the coeval field and cluster passive populations, indicating an intermediate evolutionary stage. In both star-forming and passive systems, bulges are systematically more compact than discs. Galaxy sizes decrease slightly with increasing wavelength, whereas ALMA-detected dusty star-forming galaxies exhibit a much steeper wavelength dependence, consistent with centrally concentrated, obscured star formation. The passive fraction depends primarily on local density: it resembles the field at $\Sigma \lesssim 100$--$200\,{\rm gal\,Mpc^{-2}}$ and rises to $\sim60\%$ at $\Sigma \gtrsim 1000\,{\rm gal\,Mpc^{-2}}$, although with relatively large uncertainties due to the small number of galaxies in the highest-density bins, with no significant additional dependence on clustercentric distance. We also find a weak but significant correlation between local density and S\'ersic index (strongest in F410M), but no clear correlation with effective radius or the star-formation rate surface density $\Sigma_{\rm SFR}$. These results support a picture in which quenching and structural transformation are already advanced, while the size growth is still ongoing.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2026

Analysis of ATLAS pp elastic measurements at $\sqrt{s}$=13 TeV and comparison with TOTEM measurements

A comparative description is made of the measurements at LHC of pp elastic scattering at 13 TeV by the ATLAS and TOTEM Collaborations. In the total and differential cross sections we show that the differences are justified through single numerical factor. It seems that there is no fundamental physical difference, but only a difference of normalization between the two experiments. We study the real and imaginary amplitudes disentangled with the KFK (Kohara-Ferreira-Kodama) model and show that the properties are similar in qualitative aspects for both experiments. The real and imaginary parts have different slopes at the origin and present zeros, with distributions that are common to several models, with three zeros in the real part and one zero in the imaginary amplitude. A zero in the real part, known as Martin's zero, influences the determination of the $\rho$ parameter.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2025

JWST reveals extended stellar disks for ALMA-bright dusty star-forming galaxies in the Spiderweb protocluster

We present JWST/NIRCam imaging of dusty star-forming galaxies (DSFGs) detected by Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in the Spiderweb protocluster at $z=2.16$. We identify 22 DSFGs detected by both ALMA and JWST, 10 of which are spectroscopically confirmed as protocluster members. This is the first systematic analysis of a statistical DSFG sample in $z\sim2$ protocluster environments using JWST/NIRCam data. Most of the DSFG members exhibit very red colors and reside in the dusty star-forming region of the rest-frame UVJ diagram, indicating strong dust obscuration. The Gini-M20 diagram suggests that most DSFGs in this protocluster are late-type disks, with a significant fraction displaying clumpy and disturbed rest-frame UV/optical morphologies, but few showing clear merger signatures. The DSFG members exhibit relatively large stellar disks and effective radii with a median stellar mass of log(M/Msun) = 10.8 +/- 0.3, placing them above coeval field DSFGs and typical protocluster galaxies in the size-mass relation at both rest-frame optical and near-infrared wavelengths. These sizes are comparable to those of more evolved field DSFGs at z~1-2, indicating accelerated structural growth in dense environments. Moreover, these DSFG members show a decreasing trend in stellar size from shorter to longer wavelengths, with a moderately steep slope comparable to coeval field DSFGs. These results may support an inside-out growth scenario for protocluster evolution, in which massive galaxies near the center are more evolved and more strongly affected by AGN feedback and environmental effects, e.g., ram-pressure stripping. We propose that the cold gas accretion at the protocluster outskirts drives intense star formation and stellar disk growth in ALMA-detected DSFGs, which are expected to evolve into massive elliptical galaxies at later stages.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

The BLOBs: Enigmatic Diffuse Ionized Gas Structures in a Cluster of Galaxies near Cosmic Noon

We explore the massive cluster XMMXCS J2215.9-1738 at z about 1.46 with MUSE and KMOS integral field spectroscopy. Using MUSE spectroscopy we traced the kinematics of the ionized gas using [OII] in the central 500x500 square kpc area of the cluster, which contains 28 spectroscopically identified cluster galaxies. We detected [OII] emission lines in the integrated spectra of 21 galaxies. The remaining seven are passive galaxies. Six of these passive galaxies lie in the central part of the cluster, which has a diameter of 200 kpc and which contains no star-forming objects. In this place star-formation in galaxies is quenched. An interesting discovery in this central area of the cluster are three diffuse ionized [OII] gas structures, which we refer to as [OII] blobs. They extend over areas of some hundred square kpc. The ionization source of one of the gaseous structures that displays two prominent filamentary patterns indicating outflow of gas is an active galactic nucleus (AGN). The KMOS data enabled us to use the BPT diagram to identify this object as a type 2 AGN. The other two diffuse ionized oxygen gaseous structures are more enigmatic. They are located between the stellar components of passive cluster galaxies. One of these blobs lacks a stellar counterpart in the HST optical and near-infrared data, and the other blob has only a very faint counterpart. Ram-pressure stripping of photoionized gas or AGN feedback might be an explanation. Additionally, the galaxy velocity distribution in this high-redshift cluster is bimodal, which indicates that the cluster is probably not fully virialized and that recent and ongoing merging events that produced shocks might provide photoionization sources for the two enigmatic [OII] blobs.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2024

COALAS III: The ATCA CO(1-0) look at the growth and death of H$\alpha$ emitters in the Spiderweb protocluster at z=2.16

We obtain CO(1-0) molecular gas measurements with ATCA on a sample of 43 spectroscopically confirmed H$\alpha$ emitters in the Spiderweb protocluster at $z=2.16$ and investigate the relation between their star formation and cold gas reservoirs as a function of environment. We achieve a CO(1-0) detection rate of $\sim23\pm12\%$ with 10 dual CO(1-0) and H$\alpha$ detections at $10<\log M_{*}/M_\odot<11.5$. In addition, we obtain upper limits for the remaining sources. In terms of total gas fractions ($F_{gas}$), our sample is divided into two different regimes with a steep transition at $\log M_{*}/M_\odot\approx10.5$. Galaxies below that threshold have gas fractions that in some cases are close to unity, indicating that their gas reservoir has been replenished by inflows from the cosmic web. However, objects at $\log M_{*}/M_\odot>10.5$ display significantly lower gas fractions and are dominated by AGN (12 out of 20). Stacking results yield $F_{gas}\approx0.55$ for massive emitters excluding AGN, and $F_{gas}\approx0.35$ when examining only AGN candidates. Furthermore, depletion times show that most H$\alpha$ emitters may become passive by $1<z<1.6$, concurrently with the surge and dominance of the red sequence in the most massive clusters. Our analyses suggest that galaxies in the outskirts of the protocluster have larger molecular-to-stellar mass ratios and lower star formation efficiencies than in the core. However, star formation across the protocluster remains consistent with the main sequence, indicating that evolution is primarily driven by the depletion of the gas reservoir towards the inner regions. We discuss the relative importance of in-/outflow processes in regulating star formation during the early phases of cluster assembly and conclude that a combination of feedback and overconsumption may be responsible for the rapid cold gas depletion these objects endure.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2024

The MAGPI Survey: Insights into the Lyman-alpha line widths and the size of ionized bubbles at the edge of cosmic reionization

We present spectroscopic properties of 22 Lyman-alpha emitters(LAEs) at z=5.5-6.6 with Lyman-alpha(Lya) luminosity log($L_{Lya}$[$ergs^{-1}$])=42.4-43.5, obtained using VLT/MUSE as part of the Middle Ages Galaxy Properties with Integral Field Spectroscopy(MAGPI) survey. Additionally, we incorporate broad-band photometric data from the Subaru Hyper Suprime-Cam(HSC) for 17 LAEs in our sample. The HSC-y band magnitudes show that our LAEs are UV-bright, with rest-frame absolute UV magnitudes -19.7 < $M_{UV}$ < -23.3. We find that the Lya line width increases with luminosity, and this trend becomes more prominent at z > 6 where Lya lines become significantly broadened (> 260 $kms^{-1}$) at luminosities log($L_{Lya}$[$ergs^{-1}$]) > 43. This broadening is consistent with previous studies, suggesting that these sources are located inside larger ionized bubbles. We observe a slightly elevated ionizing photon production efficiency estimated for LAEs at z > 6, indicating that younger galaxies could be producing more ionizing photons per UV luminosity. A tentative anti-correlation between ionizing photon production efficiency and Lya rest-frame equivalent width is noticed, which could indicate a time delay between production and escape of ionizing photon primarily due to supernovae activity. Furthermore, we find a positive correlation between bubble radius and Lya line width, which again suggests that large ionized bubbles are created around these LAEs, allowing them to self-shield from the scattering effects of the intergalactic medium (IGM). We also detect two closely separated LAEs at z=6.046 (projected spatial separation is 15.92 kpc). The size of their respective bubbles suggests that they likely sit inside a common large ionized region. Such a closely-separated LAE pair increases the size of ionized bubble, potentially allowing a boosted transmission of Lya through neutral IGM. (Abridged)

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2024

ASW$^2$DF: Census of the obscured star formation in a galaxy cluster in formation at $z=2.2$

We report the results of the deep and wide Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) 1.2 mm mapping of the Spiderweb protocluster at $z=2.16$. The observations were divided into six contiguous fields covering a survey area of 19.3\,arcmin$^2$. With $\sim$13h on-source time, the final maps in the six fields reach the 1$\sigma$ rms noise in a range of $40.3-57.1 \mu$Jy at a spatial resolution of $0.5-0.9$ arcsec. By using different source extraction codes and careful visual inspection, we detect 47 ALMA sources at a significance higher than 4$\sigma$. We construct the differential and cumulative number counts down to $\sim0.2$ mJy after the correction for purity and completeness obtained from Monte Carlo simulations. The ALMA 1.2 mm number counts of dusty star-forming galaxies (DSFGs) in the Spiderweb protocluster are overall two times that of general fields, some fields/regions showing even higher overdensities (more than a factor of 3). This is consistent with the results from previous studies over a larger scale using single-dish instruments. Comparison of the spatial distributions between different populations indicates that our ALMA sources are likely drawn from the same distribution as CO(1-0) emitters from the COALAS large program, but distinct from that of H$\alpha$ emitters. The cosmic SFR density of the ALMA sources is consistent with previous results (e.g. LABOCA 870 $\mu$m observations) after accounting for the difference in volume. We show that molecular gas masses estimates from dust measurements are not consistent with the ones derived from CO(1-0) and thus have to be taken with caution. The multiplicity fraction of single-dish DSFGs is higher than that of the field. Moreover, two extreme concentrations of ALMA sources are found on the outskirts of the Spiderweb protocluster, with an excess of more than 12 times that of general fields.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2024

Validation of up to seven TESS planet candidates through multi-colour transit photometry using MuSCAT2 data

The TESS mission searches for transiting exoplanets by monitoring the brightness of hundreds of thousands of stars across the entire sky. M-type planet hosts are ideal targets for this mission due to their smaller size and cooler temperatures, which makes it easier to detect smaller planets near or within their habitable zones. Additionally, M~dwarfs have a smaller contrast ratio between the planet and the star, making it easier to measure the planet's properties accurately. Here, we report the validation analysis of 13 TESS exoplanet candidates orbiting around M dwarfs. We studied the nature of these candidates through a multi-colour transit photometry transit analysis using several ground-based instruments (MuSCAT2, MuSCAT3, and LCO-SINISTRO), high-spatial resolution observations, and TESS light curves. We present the validation of five new planetary systems: TOI-1883b, TOI-2274b, TOI2768b, TOI-4438b, and TOI-5319b, along with compelling evidence of a planetary nature for TOIs 2781b and 5486b. We also present an empirical definition for the Neptune desert boundaries. The remaining six systems could not be validated due to large true radius values overlapping with the brown dwarf regime or, alternatively, the presence of chromaticity in the MuSCAT2 light curves.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2024

Gliese 12 b: A temperate Earth-sized planet at 12 pc ideal for atmospheric transmission spectroscopy

Recent discoveries of Earth-sized planets transiting nearby M dwarfs have made it possible to characterize the atmospheres of terrestrial planets via follow-up spectroscopic observations. However, the number of such planets receiving low insolation is still small, limiting our ability to understand the diversity of the atmospheric composition and climates of temperate terrestrial planets. We report the discovery of an Earth-sized planet transiting the nearby (12 pc) inactive M3.0 dwarf Gliese 12 (TOI-6251) with an orbital period ($P_{\rm{orb}}$) of 12.76 days. The planet, Gliese 12b, was initially identified as a candidate with an ambiguous $P_{\rm{orb}}$ from TESS data. We confirmed the transit signal and $P_{\rm{orb}}$ using ground-based photometry with MuSCAT2 and MuSCAT3, and validated the planetary nature of the signal using high-resolution images from Gemini/NIRI and Keck/NIRC2 as well as radial velocity (RV) measurements from the InfraRed Doppler instrument on the Subaru 8.2 m telescope and from CARMENES on the CAHA 3.5 m telescope. X-ray observations with XMM-Newton showed the host star is inactive, with an X-ray-to-bolometric luminosity ratio of $\log L_{\rm X}/L_{\rm bol} \approx -5.7$. Joint analysis of the light curves and RV measurements revealed that Gliese 12b has a radius of 0.96 $\pm$ 0.05 $R_\oplus$, a 3$\sigma$ mass upper limit of 3.9 $M_\oplus$, and an equilibrium temperature of 315 $\pm$ 6 K assuming zero albedo. The transmission spectroscopy metric (TSM) value of Gliese 12b is close to the TSM values of the TRAPPIST-1 planets, adding Gliese 12b to the small list of potentially terrestrial, temperate planets amenable to atmospheric characterization with JWST.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2024

The Discovery and Follow-up of Four Transiting Short-period Sub-Neptunes Orbiting M dwarfs

Sub-Neptunes with $2-3R_\oplus$ are intermediate in size between rocky planets and Neptune-sized planets. The orbital properties and bulk compositions of transiting sub-Neptunes provide clues to the formation and evolution of close-in small planets. In this paper, we present the discovery and follow-up of four sub-Neptunes orbiting M dwarfs (TOI-782, TOI-1448, TOI-2120, and TOI-2406), three of which were newly validated by ground-based follow-up observations and statistical analyses. TOI-782 b, TOI-1448 b, TOI-2120 b, and TOI-2406 b have radii of $R_\mathrm{p} = 2.740^{+0.082}_{-0.079}\,R_\oplus$, $2.769^{+0.073}_{-0.068}\,R_\oplus$, $2.120\pm0.067\,R_\oplus$, and $2.830^{+0.068}_{-0.066}\,R_\oplus$ and orbital periods of $P = 8.02$, $8.11$, $5.80$, and $3.08$\,days, respectively. Doppler monitoring with Subaru/InfraRed Doppler instrument led to 2$\sigma$ upper limits on the masses of $<19.1\ M_\oplus$, $<19.5\ M_\oplus$, $<6.8\ M_\oplus$, and $<15.6\ M_\oplus$ for TOI-782 b, TOI-1448 b, TOI-2120 b, and TOI-2406 b, respectively. The mass-radius relationship of these four sub-Neptunes testifies to the existence of volatile material in their interiors. These four sub-Neptunes, which are located above the so-called ``radius valley'', are likely to retain a significant atmosphere and/or an icy mantle on the core, such as a water world. We find that at least three of the four sub-Neptunes (TOI-782 b, TOI-2120 b, and TOI-2406 b) orbiting M dwarfs older than 1 Gyr, are likely to have eccentricities of $e \sim 0.2-0.3$. The fact that tidal circularization of their orbits is not achieved over 1 Gyr suggests inefficient tidal dissipation in their interiors.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2024

TOI-2266 b: a keystone super-Earth at the edge of the M dwarf radius valley

We validate the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) object of interest TOI-2266.01 (TIC 348911) as a small transiting planet (most likely a super-Earth) orbiting a faint M5 dwarf ($V=16.54$) on a 2.33~d orbit. The validation is based on an approach where multicolour transit light curves are used to robustly estimate the upper limit of the transiting object's radius. Our analysis uses SPOC-pipeline TESS light curves from Sectors 24, 25, 51, and 52, simultaneous multicolour transit photometry observed with MuSCAT2, MuSCAT3, and HiPERCAM, and additional transit photometry observed with the LCOGT telescopes. TOI-2266 b is found to be a planet with a radius of $1.54\pm\0.09\,R_\oplus$, which locates it at the edge of the transition zone between rocky planets, water-rich planets, and sub-Neptunes (the so-called M~dwarf radius valley). The planet is amenable to ground-based radial velocity mass measurement with red-sensitive spectrographs installed in large telescopes, such as MAROON-X and Keck Planet Finder (KPF), which makes it a valuable addition to a relatively small population of planets that can be used to probe the physics of the transition zone. Further, the planet's orbital period of 2.33 days places it inside a `keystone planet' wedge in the period-radius plane where competing planet formation scenarios make conflicting predictions on how the radius valley depends on the orbital period. This makes the planet also a welcome addition to the small population of planets that can be used to test small-planet formation scenarios around M~dwarfs.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2023

A resonant sextuplet of sub-Neptunes transiting the bright star HD 110067

Planets with radii between that of the Earth and Neptune (hereafter referred to as sub-Neptunes) are found in close-in orbits around more than half of all Sun-like stars. Yet, their composition, formation, and evolution remain poorly understood. The study of multi-planetary systems offers an opportunity to investigate the outcomes of planet formation and evolution while controlling for initial conditions and environment. Those in resonance (with their orbital periods related by a ratio of small integers) are particularly valuable because they imply a system architecture practically unchanged since its birth. Here, we present the observations of six transiting planets around the bright nearby star HD 110067. We find that the planets follow a chain of resonant orbits. A dynamical study of the innermost planet triplet allowed the prediction and later confirmation of the orbits of the rest of the planets in the system. The six planets are found to be sub-Neptunes with radii ranging from 1.94 to 2.85 Re. Three of the planets have measured masses, yielding low bulk densities that suggest the presence of large hydrogen-dominated atmospheres.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2023

TOI-1442 b and TOI-2445 b: two potentially rocky ultra-short period planets around M dwarfs

Context. Exoplanets with orbital periods of less than one day are known as ultra-short period (USP) planets. They are relatively rare products of planetary formation and evolution processes, but especially favourable for characterisation with current planet detection methods. At the time of writing, 125 USP planets have already been confirmed. Aims. Our aim is to validate the planetary nature of two new transiting planet candidates around M dwarfs announced by the NASA Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), registered as TESS Objects of Interest (TOIs) TOI-1442.01 and TOI-2445.01. Methods. We used TESS data, ground-based photometric light curves, and Subaru/IRD spectrograph radial velocity (RV) measurements to validate both planetary candidates and to establish their physical properties. Results. TOI-1442 b is a validated exoplanet with an orbital period of $P$=0.4090682+/-0.0000004 d, a radius of $R_p$=1.15+/-0.06$R_{\oplus}$, and equilibrium temperature of $T_{p,eq}$=1357$_{-42}^{+49}$K. TOI-2445 b is also validated with an orbital period of $P$=0.3711286+/-0.0000004 d, a radius of $R_p$= 1.33+/-0.09$R_{\oplus}$, and equilibrium temperature of $T_{p,eq}$=1330$_{-56}^{+61}$K. Their physical properties align with current empirical trends and formation theories of USP planets. Based on the RV measurements, we set 3$σ$ upper mass limits of 8$M_{\oplus}$ and 20$M_{\oplus}$, thus confirming the non-stellar, sub-Jovian nature of both transiting objects. More RV measurements will be needed to constrain the planetary masses and mean densities, and the predicted presence of outer planetary companions. These targets extend the small sample of USP planets orbiting around M dwarfs up to 21 members. They are also among the 20 most suitable terrestrial planets for atmospheric characterisation via secondary eclipse with the JWST, according to a widespread emission spectroscopy metric.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2023

Functional Ideal Hydrodynamics incorporating Quantum-Field Theoretical Fluctuation

We propose new ideal hydrodynamics in the function space which describes a fluid composed of the 1+1 dimensional real scalar field in the framework of the stochastic variational method (SVM). In the derivation, the thermal equilibrium is assumed to the internal state of fluid elements in the function space of the scalar-field configuration. The deterministic trajectory of the functional fluid element is related to the functional generalization of the Bohmian trajectory in relativistic quantum field theory. To find the correspondence relation to standard hydrodynamics, a further coarse-graining should be introduced. Thus functional hydrodynamics is regarded as a mesoscopic theory such as the Boltzmann equation in the dynamical hierarchy of many-body systems. Functional hydrodynamics reproduces the exact behaviors of relativistic quantum field theory in a certain limit. We thus expect that our theory is applicable to study the influence of quantum-field theoretical fluctuation in collective flows of produced particles in relativistic heavy-ion collisions.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2023

Thermodynamical Relations in Function Space

We formulate thermodynamical relations based on the field degrees of freedom by introducing a work induced by the volume change in the function space, in addition to the usual work associated with the spatial volume change. The first and second laws of thermodynamics are defined for such a work inherent to the field theory by generalizing stochastic energetics (stochastic thermodynamics) to the classical real scalar field in contact with a heat bath. We further discuss the local equilibrium ansatz in the function space and show that it is possible to introduce a model of functional ideal hydrodynamics, which is consistent with the derived thermodynamical laws.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2022

Two temperate super-Earths transiting a nearby late-type M dwarf

In the age of JWST, temperate terrestrial exoplanets transiting nearby late-type M dwarfs provide unique opportunities for characterising their atmospheres, as well as searching for biosignature gases. We report here the discovery and validation of two temperate super-Earths transiting LP 890-9 (TOI-4306, SPECULOOS-2), a relatively low-activity nearby (32 pc) M6V star. The inner planet, LP 890-9b, was first detected by TESS (and identified as TOI-4306.01) based on four sectors of data. Intensive photometric monitoring of the system with the SPECULOOS Southern Observatory then led to the discovery of a second outer transiting planet, LP 890-9c (also identified as SPECULOOS-2c), previously undetected by TESS. The orbital period of this second planet was later confirmed by MuSCAT3 follow-up observations. With a mass of 0.118$\pm$0.002 $M_\odot$, a radius of 0.1556$\pm$0.0086 $R_\odot$, and an effective temperature of 2850$\pm$75 K, LP 890-9 is the second-coolest star found to host planets, after TRAPPIST-1. The inner planet has an orbital period of 2.73 d, a radius of $1.320_{-0.027}^{+0.053}$ $R_\oplus$, and receives an incident stellar flux of 4.09$\pm$0.12 $S_\oplus$. The outer planet has a similar size of $1.367_{-0.039}^{+0.055}$ $R_\oplus$ and an orbital period of 8.46 d. With an incident stellar flux of 0.906 $\pm$ 0.026 $S_\oplus$, it is located within the conservative habitable zone, very close to its inner limit. Although the masses of the two planets remain to be measured, we estimated their potential for atmospheric characterisation via transmission spectroscopy using a mass-radius relationship and found that, after the TRAPPIST-1 planets, LP 890-9c is the second-most favourable habitable-zone terrestrial planet known so far. The discovery of this remarkable system offers another rare opportunity to study temperate terrestrial planets around our smallest and coolest neighbours.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2022

TOI-1468: A system of two transiting planets, a super-Earth and a mini-Neptune, on opposite sides of the radius valley

We report the discovery and characterization of two small transiting planets orbiting the bright M3.0V star TOI-1468 (LSPM J0106+1913), whose transit signals were detected in the photometric time series in three sectors of the TESS mission. We confirm the e planetary nature of both of them using precise radial velocity measurements from the CARMENES and MAROON-X spectrographs, and supplement them with ground-based transit photometry. A joint analysis of all these data reveals that the shorter-period planet, TOI-1468 b ($P_{\rm b}$ = 1.88 d), has a planetary mass of $M_{\rm b} = 3.21\pm0.24$ $M_{\oplus}$ and a radius of $R_{\rm b} =1.280^{+0.038}_{-0.039} R_{\oplus}$, resulting in a density of $ρ_{\rm b} = 8.39^{+ 1.05}_{- 0.92}$ g cm$^{-3}$, which is consistent with a mostly rocky composition. For the outer planet, TOI-1468 c ($P_{\rm c} = 15.53$ d), we derive a mass of $M_{\rm c} = 6.64^{+ 0.67}_{- 0.68}$ $M_{\oplus}$, a radius of $R_{\rm c} = 2.06\pm0.04\,R_{\oplus}$, and a bulk density of $ρ_{c} = 2.00^{+ 0.21}_{- 0.19}$ g cm$^{-3}$, which corresponds to a rocky core composition with a H/He gas envelope. These planets are located on opposite sides of the radius valley, making our system an interesting discovery as there are only a handful of other systems with the same properties. This discovery can further help determine a more precise location of the radius valley for small planets around M dwarfs and, therefore, shed more light on planet formation and evolution scenarios.

astro-ph.EP↗