| 1. |
- Alqasim, A., et al.
(author)
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TOI−757 b: an eccentric transiting mini−Neptune on a 17.5−d orbit
- 2024
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In: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. - 0035-8711 .- 1365-2966. ; 533:1, s. 1-26
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We report the spectroscopic confirmation and fundamental properties of TOI−757 b, a mini−Neptune on a 17.5−d orbit transiting a bright star (V = 9.7 mag) discovered by the TESS mission. We acquired high−precision radial velocity measurements with the HARPS, ESPRESSO, and PFS spectrographs to confirm the planet detection and determine its mass. We also acquired space−borne transit photometry with the CHEOPS space telescope to place stronger constraints on the planet radius, supported with ground−based LCOGT photometry. WASP and KELT photometry were used to help constrain the stellar rotation period. We also determined the fundamental parameters of the host star. We find that TOI−757 b has a radius of Rp = 2.5 ± 0.1R. and a mass of Mp = 10.5+−2212M, implying a bulk density of ρp = 3.6 ± 0.8 g cm−3. Our internal composition modelling was unable to constrain the composition of TOI−757 b, highlighting the importance of atmospheric observations for the system. We also find the planet to be highly eccentric with e = 0.39+−000708, making it one of the very few highly eccentric planets among precisely characterized mini−Neptunes. Based on comparisons to other similar eccentric systems, we find a likely scenario for TOI−757 b’s formation to be high eccentricity migration due to a distant outer companion. We additionally propose the possibility of a more intrinsic explanation for the high eccentricity due to star−star interactions during the earlier epoch of the Galactic disc formation, given the low metallicity and older age of TOI−757.
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| 2. |
- Goffo, E., et al.
(author)
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TOI-4438 b: a transiting mini-Neptune amenable to atmospheric characterization
- 2024
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In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 685
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We report the confirmation and mass determination of a mini-Neptune transiting the M3.5 V star TOI-4438 (G 182-34) every 7.44 days. A transit signal was detected with NASA's TESS space mission in the sectors 40, 52, and 53. In order to validate the planet TOI-4438 b and to determine the system properties, we combined TESS data with high-precision radial velocity measurements from the CARMENES spectrograph, spanning almost one year, and ground-based transit photometry. We found that TOI-4438 b has a radius of Rb = 2.52 ± 0.13 R⊕ (5% precision), which together with a mass of Mb = 5.4 ± 1.1 M⊕ (20% precision), results in a bulk density of ρb = 1.85-0.44+0.51 g cm-3 (~28% precision), aligning the discovery with a volatile-rich planet. Our interior structure retrieval with a pure water envelope yields aminimum water mass fraction of 46% (1σ). TOI-4438 b is a volatile-rich mini-Neptune with likely H/He mixed with molecules, such as water, CO2, and CH4. The primary star has a J-band magnitude of 9.7, and the planet has a high transmission spectroscopy metric (TSM) of 136 ± 13. Taking into account the relatively warm equilibrium temperature of Teq = 435 ± 15 K, and the low activity level of its host star, TOI-4438 b is one of the most promising mini-Neptunes around an M dwarf for transmission spectroscopy studies.
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| 3. |
- Guenther, E. W., et al.
(author)
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A new mass and radius determination of the ultra-short period planet K2-106b and the fluffy planet K2-106c
- 2024
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In: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. - 0035-8711 .- 1365-2966. ; 529:1, s. 141-154
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Ultra-short period planets (USPs) have orbital periods of less than 1 d. Since their masses and radii can be determined to a higher precision than long-period planets, they are the preferred targets to determine the density of planets which constrains their composition. The K2-106 system is particularly interesting because it contains two planets of nearly identical masses. One is a high-density USP, the other is a low-density planet that has an orbital period of 13 d. Combining the Gaia DR3 results with new ESPRESSO data allows us to determine the masses and radii of the two planets more precisely than before. We find that the USP K2-106 b has a density consistent with an Earth-like composition, and K2-106 c is a low-density planet that presumably has an extended atmosphere. We measure a radius of R p = 1 . 676 + 0 . 037 -0 . 037 R ⊕, a mass of M p = 7 . 80 + 0 . 71 -0 . 70 M ⊕, and a density of ρ= 9 . 09 + 0 . 98 -0 . 98 g cm -3 for K2-106 b. For K2-106 c, we derive R p = 2 . 84 + 0 . 10 -0 . 08 R ⊕, M p = 7 . 3 + 2 . 5 -2 . 4 M ⊕, and a density of ρ= 1 . 72 + 0 . 66 -0 . 58 g cm -3 . We finally discuss the possible structures of the two planets with respect to other low-mass planets.
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| 4. |
- Osborne, H. L.M., et al.
(author)
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TOI-544 b: a potential water-world inside the radius valley in a two-planet system
- 2024
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In: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. - 0035-8711 .- 1365-2966. ; 527:4, s. 11138-11157
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We report on the precise radial velocity follow-up of TOI-544 (HD 290498),ã bright K star ( V = 10.8), which hostsã small transiting planet recently disco v ered by the Trãnsiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) . We collected 122 high-resolution High Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher (HARPS)ãnd HARPS-N spectra to spectroscopically confirm the transiting planetãnd measure its mass. The nearly 3-yr baseline of our follow-upãllowed us to unveil the presence ofãnãdditional, non-transiting, longer-period companion planet. We derivedã radiusãnd mass for the inner planet, TOI-544 b, of 2.018 ±0.076 R⊙and 2.89 ±0.48 M⊙, respectively, which givesã bulk density of 1 . 93 + 0 . 30 -0 . 25 g cm -3 . TOI-544 c hasã minimum mass of 21.5 ±2.0 M⊙and orbital period of 50.1 ±0.2 d. The low density of planet-b implies that it has eitherãn Earth-like rocky core withã hydrogenãtmosphere, orã composition which harboursã significant fraction of water. The composition interpretation is degenerate depending on the specific choice of planet interior models used. Additionally, TOI-544 b hasãn orbital period of 1.55 dãnd equilibrium temperature of 999 ±14 K, placing it within the predicted location of the radius valley, where few planetsãre expected. TOI-544 b isã top target for futureãtmospheric observations, for example with JWST , which would enable better constraints of the planet composition.
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