An In-Depth Look at TOI-3884b: a Super-Neptune Transiting a M4 Dwarf with Persistent Star Spot Crossings

We perform an in-depth analysis of the recently validated TOI-3884 system, an M4 dwarf star with a transiting super-Neptune. Using high precision light curves obtained with the 3.5 m Apache Point Observatory and radial velocity observations with the Habitable-zone Planet Finder (HPF), we derive a pl...

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Published in:arXiv.org 2023-05
Main Authors: Libby-Roberts, Jessica E, Schutte, Maria, Hebb, Leslie, Kanodia, Shubham, Canas, Caleb, Stefansson, Gudmundur, Lin, Andrea S J, Mahadevan, Suvrath, Winter Parts, Powers, Luke, Wisniewski, John, Bender, Chad F, Cochran, William D, Diddams, Scott A, Everett, Mark E, Gupta, Arvind F, Halverson, Samuel, Kobulnicky, Henry A, Kowalski, Adam F, Larsen, Alexander, Monson, Andrew, Ninan, Joe P, Parker, Brock A, Ramsey, Lawrence W, Robertson, Paul, Schwab, Christian, Swaby, Tera N, Terrien, Ryan C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Circumstellar habitable zone
Light curve
Planetary mass
Radial velocity
Transit
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:We perform an in-depth analysis of the recently validated TOI-3884 system, an M4 dwarf star with a transiting super-Neptune. Using high precision light curves obtained with the 3.5 m Apache Point Observatory and radial velocity observations with the Habitable-zone Planet Finder (HPF), we derive a planetary mass of 32.6 +7.3 -7.4 Earth Masses and radius of 6.4 +/- 0.2 Earth Radii. We detect a distinct star spot crossing event occurring just after ingress and spanning half the transit for every transit. We determine this spot feature to be wavelength-dependent with the amplitude and duration evolving slightly over time. Best-fit star spot models show that TOI-3884b possesses a misaligned (\(\lambda\) = 75 +\- 10 degrees) orbit which crosses a giant pole-spot. This system presents a rare opportunity for studies into the nature of both a misaligned super-Neptune and spot evolution on an active mid-M dwarf.
ISSN:2331-8422