K2-98 b: A 32-M$_\oplus$ Neptune-sized planet in a 10-day orbit transiting an F8 star

TL;DR

This paper reports the discovery and characterization of K2-98 b, a Neptune-sized exoplanet with well-measured mass and radius, orbiting an F-type star with a 10-day period, using combined space and ground-based observations.

Contribution

First precise mass and radius measurements of a Neptune-sized planet in a 10-day orbit around an F-type star, confirming its planetary nature.

Findings

K2-98 b has a mass of 32.2 ± 8.1 Earth masses.

The planet's radius is 4.3^{+0.3}_{-0.2} Earth radii.

It will be engulfed by its star in approximately 3 billion years.

Abstract

We report the discovery of K2-98 b (EPIC 211391664 b), a transiting Neptune-sized planet monitored by the K2 mission during its campaign 5. We combine the K2 time-series data with ground-based photometric and spectroscopic follow-up observations to confirm the planetary nature of the object and derive its mass, radius, and orbital parameters. K2-98 b is a warm Neptune-like planet in a 10-day orbit around a V=12.2~mag F-type star with $M_\star$=$ 1.074\pm0.042$, $R_\star$=$ 1.311 ^{+ 0.083} _{ - 0.048} $, and age of $5.2_{-1.0}^{+1.2}$~Gyr. We derive a planetary mass and radius of $M_\mathrm{p}$=$ 32.2 \pm 8.1 $ and $R_\mathrm{p}$=$4.3^{+0.3}_{-0.2}$. K2-98 b joins the relatively small group of Neptune-sized planets whose both mass and radius have been derived with a precision better than 25 %. We estimate that the planet will be engulfed by its host star in $\sim$3~Gyr, due to the evolution of the latter towards the red giant branch.