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Title: Searching for GEMS: Confirmation of TOI-5573 b, a Cool, Saturn-like Planet Orbiting an M Dwarf *
Abstract We present the confirmation of TOI-5573 b, a Saturn-sized exoplanet on an 8.79 days orbit around an early M dwarf (3790 K, 0.59R, 0.61M, 12.30 Jmag). TOI-5573 b has a mass of 11 2 19 + 18 M(0.35 ± 0.06MJup) and a radius of 9.75 ± 0.47R(0.87 ± 0.04RJup), resulting in a density of 0.6 6 0.13 + 0.16 g cm−3, akin to that of Saturn. The planet was initially discovered by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) and confirmed using a combination of 11 transits from four TESS Sectors (20, 21, 47, and 74), ground-based photometry from the Red Buttes Observatory, and high-precision radial velocity data from the Habitable-zone Planet Finder and NN-EXPLORE Exoplanet Investigations with Doppler spectrographs, achieving a 5σprecision on the planet’s mass. TOI-5573 b is one of the coolest Saturn-like exoplanets discovered around an M-dwarf, with an equilibrium temperature of only 528 ± 10 K, making it a valuable target for atmospheric characterization. Saturn-like exoplanets around M dwarfs likely form through core accretion, with increased disk opacity slowing gas accretion and limiting their mass. The host star’s supersolar metallicity supports core accretion, but uncertainties in M-dwarf metallicity estimates complicate definitive conclusions. Compared to other GEMS (Giant Exoplanets around M-dwarf Stars) orbiting metal-rich stars, TOI-5573 b aligns with the observed pattern that giant planets preferentially form around M-dwarfs with supersolar metallicity. Further high-resolution spectroscopic observations are needed to explore the role of stellar metallicity in shaping the formation and properties of giant exoplanets like TOI-5573 b.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2108493 2108801 2538457 2108616
PAR ID:
10651343
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; more » ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; « less
Publisher / Repository:
American Astronomical Society Journals
Date Published:
Journal Name:
The Astronomical Journal
Volume:
170
Issue:
1
ISSN:
0004-6256
Page Range / eLocation ID:
55
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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