TOI-6324b: An Earth-Mass Ultra-Short-Period Planet Transiting a Nearby M Dwarf

TL;DR

This paper confirms the existence of TOI-6324b, an Earth-sized ultra-short-period planet orbiting a nearby M dwarf, with measured mass and composition, and discusses its potential for future atmospheric and surface studies.

Contribution

First precise mass measurement of an Earth-sized USP around a nearby M dwarf, and analysis of its interior composition and observational prospects.

Findings

Mass of TOI-6324b is 1.17 ± 0.22 M⊕.

Interior composition consistent with Earth-like core fraction.

Tentative detection of optical phase curve variation.

Abstract

We report the confirmation of TOI-6324 b, an Earth-sized (1.059 $\pm$ 0.041 R$_\oplus$) ultra-short-period (USP) planet orbiting a nearby ($\sim$20 pc) M dwarf. Using the newly commissioned Keck Planet Finder (KPF) spectrograph, we have measured the mass of TOI-6324 b 1.17 $\pm$ 0.22 M$_\oplus$. Because of its extremely short orbit of just $\sim$6.7 hours, TOI-6324 b is intensely irradiated by its M dwarf host, and is expected to be stripped of any thick, H/He envelope. We were able to constrain its interior composition and found an iron core mass fraction (CMF = 27$\pm$37%) consistent with that of Earth ($\sim$33%) and other confirmed USPs. TOI-6324 b is the closest to Earth-sized USP confirmed to date. TOI-6324 b is a promising target for JWST phase curve and secondary eclipse observations (Emission Spectroscopy Metric = 25) which may reveal its surface mineralogy, day-night temperature contrast, and possible tidal deformation. From 7 sectors of TESS data, we report a tentative detection of the optical phase curve variation with an amplitude of 42$\pm$28 ppm.