K2-32

K2-32

K2-32

Yellowish-hued star in the constellation Ophiuchus


K2-32 is a G9-type main sequence star slightly smaller and less massive than the sun.[4] Four confirmed transiting exoplanets are known to orbit this star.[9] A study of atmospheric escape from the planet K2-32b caused by high-energy stellar irradiation indicates that the star has always been a very slow rotator.[10]

Quick Facts Observation data Epoch J2000 Equinox J2000, Constellation ...

Planetary system

Discovery

The star K2-32 was initially found to have three transiting planet candidates by Andrew Vanderburg and collaborators in 2016.[7] The innermost planet candidate, at that time, K2-32b was confirmed using radial velocity measurements made with the Keck telescope.[4] Confirmation of planets c and d was made by Sinukoff et al. using adaptive optics imaging and computer analysis to eliminate possible false positives.[6]

The Earth-sized planet K2-32e was discovered and validated by René Heller and team in 2019.[9][11]

Transit light curves of all four planets orbiting the star K2-32.[9]

Characteristics

With periods of 4.34, 8.99, 20.66 and 31.71 days the four planets orbits are very close to a 1:2:5:7 orbital resonance chain. The densities of planets b, c, and d are between those of Saturn and Neptune, which suggests large and massive atmospheres. The planet K2-32e with a radius almost identical to that of the Earth is almost certainly a terrestrial planet.[9] All four planets are well inside even the optimistic inner boundary of the habitable zone located at 0.58 astronomical units.[12]

Planetary system of the star K2-32 showing planetary radii and orbital resonances.[9]
More information Companion (in order from star), Mass ...

References

  1. Roman, Nancy G. (1987). "Identification of a Constellation From a Position". Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. 99 (617): 695–699. Bibcode:1987PASP...99..695R. doi:10.1086/132034. Vizier query form
  2. Skrutskie, Michael F.; et al. (1 February 2006). "The Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS)". The Astronomical Journal. 131 (2): 1163–1183. Bibcode:2006AJ....131.1163S. doi:10.1086/498708. Vizier catalog entry
  3. Vanderburg, Andrew; et al. (2016). "Planetary Candidates from the First Year of the K2 Mission". The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series. 222 (1) 14. arXiv:1511.07820. Bibcode:2016ApJS..222...14V. doi:10.3847/0067-0049/222/1/14.
  4. "Astronomers Discover 18 New Small Exoplanets in Kepler Data" (Press release). Sci-News.com. 2019-05-28. Retrieved 2019-09-27.

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