Abstract
In this letter we present the discovery of a very light planetary companion to the star μ Ara (HD 160691). The planet orbits its host once every 9.5 days, and induces a sinusoidal radial velocity signal with a semi-amplitude of 4.1 m s-1, the smallest Doppler amplitude detected so far. These values imply a mass of m2 sin i = 14 M⊕ (Earth-masses). This detection represents the discovery of a planet with a mass slightly smaller than that of Uranus, the smallest "ice giant" in our Solar System. Whether this planet can be considered an ice giant or a super-earth planet is discussed in the context of the core-accretion and migration models.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | L19-L23 |
Journal | Astronomy and Astrophysics |
Volume | 426 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 2004 |
Keywords
- Planetary systems
- Stars: individual: HD 160691
- Techniques: radial velocities
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Space and Planetary Science