Lia Marta Bernabo, a PhD student in the Department of Extrasolar Planets and Atmospheres, is the lead author of the paper "Searching for GEMS: TOI-6383A b, a giant planet transiting an M3-dwarf star in a binary system," which was accepted for publication in the 'Astrophysical Journal' on September 25, 2024.
The discovery challenges existing models of planet formation around M-dwarf stars, which typically have less massive protoplanetary discs. One theory suggests that planets form through accretion, initiated by a massive core. However, this model faces obstacles related to the mass budget and time scales involved-M-dwarfs typically do not have enough material in their discs to support the formation of giant planets. As a result, only around 20 giant planets have been found around M-dwarfs.
An alternative theory is that giant planets form through rapid gravitational instability, where a massive protoplanetary disc breaks apart into clumps under its own gravity, eventually forming giant planets. The discovery of TOI-6383Ab adds weight to this idea, but further observations are needed to draw definitive conclusions. To advance this understanding, scientists estimate that about 40 similar systems need to be identified, which is double the current number.
This discovery, made by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) and confirmed by ground-based follow-up observations and radial velocity measurements, is a key step in unraveling the mysteries of giant planet formation around M-dwarfs.
Research Report:Searching for GEMS: TOI-6383A b, a giant planet transiting an M3-dwarf star in a binary system
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