GJ 1252 b: A 1.2 $R_{\oplus}$ planet transiting an M3-dwarf at 20.4 pc

TL;DR

This paper reports the discovery and characterization of GJ 1252 b, a small, short-period exoplanet transiting an M3 dwarf star, using multiple observational methods to confirm its planetary nature and estimate its properties.

Contribution

The study presents the first confirmed detection of a 1.2 R⊕ planet around an M3 dwarf using combined TESS, ground-based, and Gaia data, with a tentative mass measurement.

Findings

Confirmed transiting planet with radius 1.193 R⊕

Tentative mass estimate of 2.09 M⊕

Host star is nearby, bright, and low activity

Abstract

We report the discovery of GJ 1252 b, a planet with a radius of 1.193 $\pm$ 0.074 $R_{\oplus}$ and an orbital period of 0.52 days around an M3-type star (0.381 $\pm$ 0.019 $M_{\odot}$, 0.391 $\pm$ 0.020 $R_{\odot}$) located 20.385 $\pm$ 0.019 pc away. We use TESS data, ground-based photometry and spectroscopy, Gaia astrometry, and high angular resolution imaging to show that the transit signal seen in the TESS data must originate from a transiting planet. We do so by ruling out all false positive scenarios that attempt to explain the transit signal as originating from an eclipsing stellar binary. Precise Doppler monitoring also leads to a tentative mass measurement of 2.09 $\pm$ 0.56 $M_{\oplus}$. The host star proximity, brightness ($V$ = 12.19 mag, $K$ = 7.92 mag), low stellar activity, and the system's short orbital period make this planet an attractive target for detailed characterization, including precise mass measurement, looking for other objects in the system, and planet atmosphere characterization.