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Abstract We detail the follow-up and characterization of a transiting exo-Venus identified by TESS, GJ 3929b (TOI-2013b), and its nontransiting companion planet, GJ 3929c (TOI-2013c). GJ 3929b is an Earth-sized exoplanet in its star’s Venus zone (Pb= 2.616272 ± 0.000005 days; Sb= S⊕) orbiting a nearby M dwarf. GJ 3929c is most likely a nontransiting sub-Neptune. Using the new, ultraprecise NEID spectrometer on the WIYN 3.5 m Telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory, we are able to modify the mass constraints of planet b reported in previous works and consequently improve the significance of the mass measurement to almost 4σconfidence (Mb= 1.75 ± 0.45M⊕). We further adjust the orbital period of planet c from its alias at 14.30 ± 0.03 days to the likely true period of 15.04 ± 0.03 days, and we adjust its minimum mass to = 5.71 ± 0.92M⊕. Using the diffuser-assisted ARCTIC imager on the ARC 3.5 m telescope at Apache Point Observatory, in addition to publicly available TESS and LCOGT photometry, we are able to constrain the radius of planet b toRp= 1.09 ± 0.04R⊕. GJ 3929b is a top candidate for transmission spectroscopy in its size regime (TSM = 14 ± 4), and future atmospheric studies of GJ 3929b stand to shed light on the nature of small planets orbiting M dwarfs.
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This content will become publicly available on August 25, 2026
An Aligned Sub-Neptune Revealed with MAROON-X and a Tendency Toward Alignment for Small Planets
Abstract We present the Rossiter–McLaughlin measurement of the sub-Neptune TOI-1759A b with MAROON-X. A joint analysis with MuSCAT3 photometry and nine additional TESS transits produces a sky-projected obliquity of ∣λ∣ = 4° ± 18°. We also derive a true obliquity ofψ= 24° ± 12° making this planet consistent with full alignment albeit to <1σ. With a period of 18.85 days and ana/R*of 40, TOI-1759A b is the longest period single sub-Neptune to have a measured obliquity. It joins a growing number of smaller planets which have had this measurement made and, along with K2-25 b, is the only single, aligned sub-Neptune known to date. We also provide an overview of the emerging distribution of obliquity measurements for planets withR< 8R⊕. We find that these types of planets tend toward alignment, especially the sub-Neptunes and super-Earths, implying a dynamically cool formation history. The majority of misaligned planets in this category have 4 <R≤ 8R⊕and are more likely to be isolated than planets rather than in compact systems. We find this result to be significant at the 3σlevel, consistent with previous studies. In addition, we conduct injection and recovery testing on available archival radial velocity data to put limits on the presence of massive companions in these systems. Current archival data is insufficient for most systems to have detected a giant planet.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2108465
- PAR ID:
- 10647711
- Publisher / Repository:
- AAS
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- The Astronomical Journal
- Volume:
- 170
- Issue:
- 3
- ISSN:
- 0004-6256
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 182
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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