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  1. Abstract We present the discovery of TOI-6303b and TOI-6330b, two massive transiting super-Jupiters orbiting a M0 and a M2 dwarf star, respectively, as part of the Searching for Giant Exoplanets around M-dwarf Stars (GEMS) survey. These were detected by NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite and then confirmed via ground-based photometry and radial velocity observations with the Habitable-zone Planet Finder. TOI-6303b has a mass of 7.84 ± 0.31MJ, a radius of 1.03 ± 0.06RJ, and an orbital period of 9.485 days. TOI-6330b has a mass of 10.00 ± 0.31MJ, a radius of 0.97 ± 0.03RJ, and an orbital period of 6.850 days. We put these planets in the context of super-Jupiters around M dwarfs discovered from radial-velocity surveys, as well as recent discoveries from astrometry. These planets have masses that can be attributed to two dominant planet formation mechanisms—gravitational instability and core accretion. Their masses necessitate massive protoplanetary disks that should either be gravitationally unstable, i.e., forming through gravitational instability, or be among the most massive protoplanetary disks known to date to form objects through core accretion. We also discuss their possible migration mechanisms via their eccentricity distribution. 
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    Free, publicly-accessible full text available June 2, 2026
  2. 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. 
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    Free, publicly-accessible full text available June 26, 2026
  3. Abstract Gaia astrometry of nearby stars is precise enough to detect the tiny displacements induced by substellar companions, but radial velocity (RV) data are needed for definitive confirmation. Here we present RV follow-up observations of 28 M and K stars with candidate astrometric substellar companions, which led to the confirmation of two systems, Gaia-4b and Gaia-5b, identification of five systems that are single lined but require additional data to confirm as substellar companions, and the refutation of 21 systems as stellar binaries. Gaia-4b is a massive planet (M = 11.8 ± 0.7MJ) in aP = 571.3 ± 1.4 day orbit with a projected semimajor axisa0 = 0.312 ± 0.040 mas orbiting a 0.644 ± 0.02Mstar. Gaia-5b is a brown dwarf (M = 20.9 ± 0.5MJ) in aP = 358.62 ± 0.20 days eccentrice = 0.6423 ± 0.0026 orbit with a projected angular semimajor axis ofa0 = 0.947 ± 0.038 mas around a 0.34 ± 0.03Mstar. Gaia-4b is one of the first exoplanets discovered via the astrometric technique, and is one of the most massive planets known to orbit a low-mass star. 
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    Free, publicly-accessible full text available February 3, 2026