K2-19b and c are in a 3:2 Commensurability but out of Resonance: A Challenge to Planet Assembly by Convergent Migration

TL;DR

This study characterizes the physical and orbital properties of the exoplanets K2-19b and c, revealing a non-resonant, eccentric configuration that challenges standard planet formation models based on convergent migration.

Contribution

It provides precise mass and orbital measurements of K2-19b and c, demonstrating a non-resonant state that contradicts existing migration theories and challenges core accretion models.

Findings

Planets are in a 3:2 period ratio but out of resonance.

K2-19b has a mass of 32.4±1.7 M_E and a 50% envelope fraction.

The orbital configuration defies standard migration predictions.

Abstract

K2-19b and c were among the first planets discovered by NASA's K2 mission and together stand in stark contrast with the physical and orbital properties of the solar system planets. The planets are between the size of Uranus and Saturn at 7.0$\pm$0.2 R_E and 4.1$\pm$0.2 R_E, respectively, and reside a mere 0.1% outside the nominal 3:2 mean-motion resonance. They represent a different outcome of the planet formation process than the solar system, as well as the vast majority of known exoplanets. We measured the physical and orbital properties of these planets using photometry from K2, Spitzer, and ground-based telescopes, along with radial velocities from Keck/HIRES. Through a joint photodynamical model, we found that the planets have moderate eccentricities of $e \approx0.20$ and well-aligned apsides $\Delta \varpi \approx 0$ deg. The planets occupy a strictly non-resonant configuration: the resonant angles circulate rather than librate. This defies the predictions of standard formation pathways that invoke convergent or divergent migration, both of which predict $\Delta \varpi \approx 180$ deg and eccentricities of a few percent or less. We measured masses of $M_{p,b}$ = 32.4$\pm$1.7 M_E and $M_{p,c}$ = 10.8$\pm$0.6 M_E. Our measurements, with 5% fractional uncertainties, are among the most precise of any sub-Jovian exoplanet. Mass and size reflect a planet's core/envelope structure. Despite having a relatively massive core of $M_{core} \approx15$ $M_E$, K2-19b is envelope-rich, with an envelope mass fraction of roughly 50%. This planet poses a challenge to standard models core-nucleated accretion, which predict that cores $\gtrsim 10$ $M_E$ will quickly accrete gas and trigger runaway accretion when the envelope mass exceeds that of the core.