Ground-Based Photometric Follow-Up of TESS M-Dwarf Planet Candidates With SPECULOOS

SPECULOOS, Robert Wells, Benjamin V. Rackham, Nicole Schanche, Amaury Triaud

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Abstract

TESS is discovering a wealth of transit-like signals across the whole sky. However, due to the large pixel size (21 arcsec), it is largely not possible to validate a signal as an exoplanet transit from TESS photometry alone. Therefore, it is necessary to obtain follow-up transit light curves in order to confirm the source of the signal, and additionally verify the depth and shape. I will present the work of SPECULOOS in this area, a network of 1-meter ground-based telescopes designed for high-precision photometry. Focussing on M-dwarf TESS objects of interest (TOIs), where SPECULOOS has much greater precision over TESS, we are continuing to confirm numerous new exoplanet systems, many of which are highly amenable to further study of their atmospheres. As a demonstration of SPECULOOS capabilities, I will present an overview of one system — TOI-2406 — an interesting sub-Neptune orbiting a thick-disk M4 host star. The 2.9 Earth radii planet is an unusual outcome of planet formation for a metal-poor mid-M-dwarf star. The large planet-to-star radius ratio and closeness of the host star also means this system is a good target for transmission spectroscopy, and can allow comparisons of planets formed in different environments.
Original languageEnglish
Article number282
Number of pages2
JournalBAAS Bulletin of the AAS
Volume54
Issue number5
Publication statusPublished - 20 Jun 2022

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