Detailed Record


An In-depth Look at TOI-3884b: A Super-Neptune Transiting an M4Dwarf with Persistent Starspot Crossings


Abstract 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, we derive a planetary mass of <?CDATA ${32.6}_{-7.4}^{+7.3}\,{M}_{\oplus }$?> <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" overflow="scroll"> <mml:msubsup> <mml:mrow> <mml:mn>32.6</mml:mn> </mml:mrow> <mml:mrow> <mml:mo>−</mml:mo> <mml:mn>7.4</mml:mn> </mml:mrow> <mml:mrow> <mml:mo>+</mml:mo> <mml:mn>7.3</mml:mn> </mml:mrow> </mml:msubsup> <mml:mspace width="0.25em" /> <mml:msub> <mml:mrow> <mml:mi>M</mml:mi> </mml:mrow> <mml:mrow> <mml:mo>⊕</mml:mo> </mml:mrow> </mml:msub> </mml:math> and radius of 6.4 ± 0.2 R ⊕ . We detect a distinct starspot 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 starspot models show that TOI-3884b possesses a misaligned ( λ = 75° ± 10°) orbit that 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.
Authors Jessica E. Libby-Roberts ORCID , Maria Schutte ORCID , Leslie Hebb ORCID , Shubham Kanodia ORCID , Caleb I. Cañas ORCID , Guðmundur Stefánsson ORCID , Andrea S. J. Lin ORCID , Suvrath Mahadevan ORCID , Winter Parts ORCID , Luke Powers ORCID , John P. Wisniewski ORCID , Chad F. Bender ORCID , William D. Cochran ORCID , Scott A. Diddams ORCID , Mark E. Everett ORCID , Arvind F. Gupta ORCID , Samuel Halverson ORCID , Henry A. Kobulnicky University of WyomingORCID , Adam F. Kowalski ORCID , Alexander Larsen University of WyomingORCID , Andrew Monson ORCID , Joe P. Ninan ORCID , Brock A. Parker University of WyomingORCID , Lawrence W. Ramsey ORCID , Paul Robertson ORCID , Christian Schwab ORCID , Tera N. Swaby University of WyomingORCID , Ryan C. Terrien ORCID
Journal Info Institute of Physics | The Astronomical Journal , vol: 165 , iss: 6 , pages: 249 - 249
Publication Date 5/24/2023
ISSN 0004-6256
TypeKeyword Image article
Open Access gold Gold Access
DOI https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-3881/accc2f
KeywordsKeyword Image Young Stellar Objects (Score: 0.44981)