TOI-674b: An oasis in the desert of exo-Neptunes transiting a nearby M dwarf star

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2021

Authors

Murgas, F (Author) Other; Astudillo Defru, N (Author) Other; Bonfils, X (Author) Other; Crossfield, I (Author) Other; Almenara, JM (Author) Other; Livingston, J (Author) Other; Stassun, KG (Author) Other; Korth, J (Author) Other; Orell Miquel, J (Author) Other; Morello, G (Author) Other; Eastman, JD (Author) Other; Lissauer, JJ (Author) Other; Kane, SR (Author) Other; Morales, FY (Author) Other; Werner, MW (Author) Other; Gorjian, V (Author) Other; Benneke, B (Author) Other; Dragomir, D (Author) Other; Matthews, EC (Author) Other; Howell, SB (Author) Other; Ciardi, D (Author) Other; Gonzales, E (Author) Other; Matson, R (Author) Other; Beichman, C (Author) Other; Schlieder, J (Author) Other; Collins, KA (Author) Other; Collins, KI (Author) Other; Jensen, ELN (Author) Other; Evans, P (Author) Other; Pozuelos, FJ (Author) Other; Gillon, M (Author) Other; Jehin, E (Author) Other; Barkaoui, K (Author) Other; Artigau, E (Author) Other; Bouchy, F (Author) Other; Charbonneau, D (Author) Other; Delfosse, X (Author) Other; Diaz, RF (Author) Other; Doyon, R (Author) Other; Figueira, P (Author) Other; Forveille, T (Author) Other; Lovis, C (Author) Other; Melo, C (Author) Other; Gaisne, G (Author) Other; Pepe, F (Author) Other; N.C. Santos (Author) FCUP; Segransan, D (Author) Other; Udry, S (Author) Other; Goeke, RF (Author) Other; Levine, AM (Author) Other; Quintana, EV (Author) Other; Guerrero, NM (Author) Other; Mireles, I (Author) Other; Caldwell, DA (Author) Other; Tenenbaum, P (Author) Other; Brasseur, CE (Author) Other; Ricker, G (Author) Other; Vanderspek, R (Author) Other; Latham, DW (Author) Other; Seager, S (Author) Other; Winn, J (Author) Other; Jenkins, JM (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Astronomy and Astrophysics

Vol. 653

Final page: A60

ISSN: 0004-6361

Publisher: EDP Sciences

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 10 Citations

Scopus - 12 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00V-D9X

DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/202140718

Abstract (EN): Context. The NASA mission TESS is currently doing an all-sky survey from space to detect transiting planets around bright stars. As part of the validation process, the most promising planet candidates need to be confirmed and characterized using follow-up observations. Aims. In this article, our aim is to confirm the planetary nature of the transiting planet candidate TOI-674b using spectroscopic and photometric observations. Methods. We use TESS, Spitzer, ground-based light curves, and HARPS spectrograph radial velocity measurements to establish the physical properties of the transiting exoplanet candidate TOI-674b. We perform a joint fit of the light curves and radial velocity time series to measure the mass, radius, and orbital parameters of the candidate. Results. We confirm and characterize TOI-674b, a low-density super-Neptune transiting a nearby M dwarf. The host star (TIC 158588995, V = 14.2 mag, J = 10.3 mag) is characterized by its M2V spectral type with M = 0.420 +/- 0.010 M-circle dot, R = 0.420 +/- 0.013 R-circle dot, and T-eff = 3514 +/- 57 K; it is located at a distance d = 46.16 +/- 0.03 pc. Combining the available transit light curves plus radial velocity measurements and jointly fitting a circular orbit model, we find an orbital period of 1.977143 +/- 3 x 10(-6) days, a planetary radius of 5.25 +/- 0.17 R-circle plus, and a mass of 23.6 +/- 3.3 M-circle plus implying a mean density of rho(p) =0.91 +/- 0.15 g cm(-3). A non-circular orbit model fit delivers similar planetary mass and radius values within the uncertainties. Given the measured planetary radius and mass, TOI-674b is one of the largest and most massive super-Neptune class planets discovered around an M-type star to date. It is found in the Neptunian desert, and is a promising candidate for atmospheric characterization using the James Webb Space Telescope.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 21