Radial velocity follow-up of GJ1132 with HARPS. A precise mass for planet 'b' and the discovery of a second planet

TL;DR

This study used HARPS radial velocity measurements to precisely determine the mass of GJ1132b, discover a second planet GJ1132c near the habitable zone, and identify a third signal possibly due to a planet or stellar activity.

Contribution

The paper provides the first precise mass measurement of GJ1132b and reports the discovery of a second planet in the system, enhancing understanding of this nearby red dwarf system.

Findings

GJ1132b has a mass of 1.66±0.23 Earth masses.

GJ1132c is a super-Earth near the habitable zone.

A third signal suggests a possible additional planet or stellar activity.

Abstract

GJ1132 is a nearby red dwarf known to host a transiting Earth-size planet. After its initial detection, we pursued an intense follow-up with the HARPS velocimeter. We now confirm the detection of GJ1132b with radial velocities only. We refined its orbital parameters and, in particular, its mass ($m_b = 1.66\pm0.23 M_\oplus$), density ($\rho_b = 6.3\pm1.3$ g.cm$^{-3}$) and eccentricity ($e_b < 0.22 $; 95\%). We also detect at least one more planet in the system. GJ1132c is a super-Earth with period $P_c = 8.93\pm0.01$ days and minimum mass $m_c \sin i_c = 2.64\pm0.44~M_\oplus$. Receiving about 1.9 times more flux than Earth in our solar system, its equilibrium temperature is that of a temperate planet ($T_{eq}=230-300$ K for albedos $A=0.75-0.00$) and places GJ1132c near the inner edge of the so-called habitable zone. Despite an a priori favourable orientation for the system, $Spitzer$ observations reject most transit configurations, leaving a posterior probability $<1\%$ that GJ1132c transits. GJ1132(d) is a third signal with period $P_d = 177\pm5$ days attributed to either a planet candidate with minimum mass $m_d \sin i_d = 8.4^{+1.7}_{-2.5}~M_\oplus$ or stellar activity. (abridged)