TOI-2285b: A 1.7 Earth-radius planet near the habitable zone around a nearby M dwarf

We report the discovery of TO1-2285b, a sub-Neptune-sized planet transiting a nearby (42 pc) M dwarf with a period of 27.3 d. We identified the transit signal from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite photometric data, which we confirmed with ground-based photometric observations using the multiband imagers MuSCAT2 and MuSCAT3. Combining these data with other follow-up observations including high-resolution spectroscopy with the Tillinghast Reflector Echelle Spectrograph, high-resolution imaging with the SPeckle Polarimeter, and radial velocity (RV) measurements with the InfraRed Doppler instrument, we find that the planet has a radius of 1.74 +/- 0.08 R-circle plus, a mass of <19.5 M-circle plus + (95% c.I.), and an insolation flux of 1.54 +/- 0.14 times that of the Earth. Although the planet resides just outside the habitable zone for a rocky planet, if the planet harbors an H2O layer under a hydrogen-rich atmosphere, then liquid water could exist on the surface of the H2O layer depending on the planetary mass and water mass fraction. The bright host star in the near-infrared (K-s = 9.0) makes this planet an excellent target for further RV and atmospheric observations to improve our understanding of the composition, formation, and habitability of sub-Neptune-sized planets

TOI-1442 b and TOI-2445 b: two ultra-short period super-Earths around M dwarfs

Context. Exoplanets with orbital periods of less than one day are know as Ultra-short period (USP) planets. They are relatively rare products of planetary formation and evolution processes, but especially favourable to current planet detection methods. At the time of writing, 120 USP planets have already been confirmed. Aims. We aim to confirm the planetary nature of two new transiting planet candidates announced by the NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), registered as TESS Objects of Interest (TOIs) TOI-1442.01 and TOI-2445.01. Methods. We use the TESS data, ground-based photometric light-curves and Subaru/IRD spectrograph radial velocity (RV) measurements to validate both planetary candidates and to establish their physical properties. Results. TOI-1442 b is a hot super-Earth with an orbital period of $P = 0.4090682 \pm 0.0000004 \, d$, a radius of $R_{\mathrm{p}} = 1.15 \pm 0.06 \, R_{\oplus}$, equilibrium temperature of $T_{\mathrm{p,eq}} = 1357_{-42}^{+49} \, K$, and a mass $M_{\mathrm{p}} < 18 \, M_{\oplus}$ at 3$\sigma$. TOI-2445 b is also a hot super-Earth/mini-Neptune with an orbital period of $P = 0.3711286 \pm 0.0000004 \, d$, a radius of $R_{\mathrm{p}} = 1.33 \pm 0.09 \, R_{\oplus}$, equilibrium temperature of $T_{\mathrm{p,eq}} = 1330_{-56}^{+61} \, K$, and a mass $M_{\mathrm{p}} < 38 \, M_{\oplus}$ at 3$\sigma$. Their physical properties align with current empirical trends and formation theories of USP planets. More RV measurements will be useful to constrain the planetary masses and mean densities, as well as the predicted presence of outer planetary companions