A multiplanet system of super-Earths orbiting the brightest red dwarf star GJ 887
- 26 June 2020
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Science
- Vol. 368 (6498), 1477-1481
- https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aaz0795
Abstract
The closet exoplanets to the Sun provide opportunities for detailed characterization of planets outside the Solar System. We report the discovery, using radial velocity measurements, of a compact multiplanet system of super-Earth exoplanets orbiting the nearby red dwarf star GJ 887. The two planets have orbital periods of 9.3 and 21.8 days. Assuming an Earth-like albedo, the equilibrium temperature of the 21.8-day planet is ~350 kelvin. The planets are interior to, but close to the inner edge of, the liquid-water habitable zone. We also detect an unconfirmed signal with a period of ~50 days, which could correspond to a third super-Earth in a more temperate orbit. Our observations show that GJ 887 has photometric variability below 500 parts per million, which is unusually quiet for a red dwarf.Keywords
Funding Information
- Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (RYC-2017-22489)
- Science and Technology Facilities Council (ST/P000592/1)
- Australian Research Council (DP130102695)
- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (FOR 2544)
- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (RE 1664/12-1)
- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (FOR2544 `Blue Planets around Red Stars', project JE 701/3-1)
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