A giant exoplanet orbiting a very-low-mass star challenges planet formation models

DOI: 
10.1126/science.aax3198
Publication date : 
27/09/2019
Main author: 
Morales, J. C.
IAA authors: 
Bauer, F. F.; Rodríguez, E.; López-González, M. J.; Rodríguez-López, C.; Amado, P. J.; Abril, M.; Aceituno, J; Aceituno, F. J.; Antona, R.; Becerril-Jarque, S.; Berdiñas, Z. M.; Calvo-Ortega, R.; Casal, E.; Casanova, V.; Claret, A.; Fernández, M.; Ferro, I. M.; Lampón, M; Lara L. M.; Magan Madinabeitia, H.; Martín-Ruiz, S.; Mirabet, E.; Pacual. J.; Pérez Medialdea, D.; Ramón Ballesta, A.; Rodríguez Trinidad, A.; Sánchez Carrasco, M. A.; Sánchez-López, A.; Sota, A.
Authors: 
Morales, J. C.; Mustill, A. J.; Ribas, I.; Davies, M. B.; Reiners, A.; Bauer, F. F.; Kossakowski, D.; Herrero, E.; Rodríguez, E.; López-González, M. J.; Rodríguez-López, C.; Béjar, V. J. S.; González-Cuesta, L.; Luque, R.; Pallé, E.; Perger, M.; Baroch, D.; Johansen, A.; Klahr, H.; Mordasini, C.; et al.
Journal: 
SCIENCE
Refereed: 
Yes
Publication type: 
Article
Volume: 
365
Pages: 
1441 - 1445
Issue: 
6460
Abstract: 
Surveys have shown that super-Earth and Neptune-mass exoplanets are more frequent than gas giants around low-mass stars, as predicted by the core accretion theory of planet formation. We report the discovery of a giant planet around the very-low-mass star GJ 3512, as determined by optical and near-infrared radial-velocity observations. The planet has a minimum mass of 0.46 Jupiter masses, very high for such a small host star, and an eccentric 204-day orbit. Dynamical models show that the high eccentricity is most likely due to planet-planet interactions. We use simulations to demonstrate that the GJ 3512 planetary system challenges generally accepted formation theories, and that it puts constraints on the planet accretion and migration rates. Disk instabilities may be more efficient in forming planets than previously thought.
Database: 
ADS
URL: 
https://science.sciencemag.org/content/365/6460/1441
ADS Bibcode: 
2019Sci...365.1441M
Keywords: 
Astrophysics - Earth and Planetary Astrophysics; Astrophysics - Solar and Stellar Astrophysics