The HARPS survey for southern extra-solar planets II. A 14 Earth-masses exoplanet around μ Arae

N. C. Santos, F. Bouchy, M. Mayor, F. Pepe, D. Queloz, S. Udry, C. Lovis, M. Bazot, W. Benz, J. L. Bertaux, G. Lo Curto, X. Delfosse, C. Mordasini, D. Naef, J. P. Sivan, S. Vauclair

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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 languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)L19-L23
JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics
Volume426
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2004

Keywords

  • Planetary systems
  • Stars: individual: HD 160691
  • Techniques: radial velocities

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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