Revised Temperatures For Two Benchmark M-dwarfs -- Outliers No More

TL;DR

This paper re-analyzes two benchmark M-dwarfs using new TESS data, resolving previous temperature discrepancies and establishing them as reliable benchmarks for stellar modeling.

Contribution

It provides revised effective temperature measurements for two benchmark M-dwarfs, eliminating previous outliers and enhancing their utility for stellar models.

Findings

Revised temperatures align with models and literature.

Outlier status of the M-dwarfs is resolved.

Supports more accurate stellar modeling.

Abstract

Well-characterised M-dwarfs are rare, particularly with respect to effective temperature. In this letter we re-analyse two benchmark M-dwarfs in eclipsing binaries from Kepler/K2: KIC 1571511AB and HD 24465AB. Both have temperatures reported to be hotter or colder by approximately 1000 K in comparison with both models and the majority of the literature. By modelling the secondary eclipses with both the original data and new data from TESS we derive significantly different temperatures which are not outliers. Removing this discrepancy allows these M-dwarfs to be truly benchmarks. Our work also provides relief to stellar modellers. We encourage more measurements of M-dwarf effective temperatures with robust methods.