MOA-2020-BLG-208Lb: Cool Sub-Saturn-Mass Planet Within Predicted Desert

Date
2023-03-24
Authors
Olmschenk, G
Bennett, DP
Bond, IA
Zang, W
Jung, YK
Yee, JC
Bachelet, E
Abe, F
Barry, RK
Bhattacharya, A
Supervisor
Item type
Journal Article
Degree name
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
American Astronomical Society
Abstract

We analyze the MOA-2020-BLG-208 gravitational microlensing event and present the discovery and characterization of a new planet, MOA-2020-BLG-208Lb, with an estimated sub-Saturn mass. With a mass ratio q=3.17-0.26+0.28×10-4, the planet lies near the peak of the mass-ratio function derived by the MOA collaboration and near the edge of expected sample sensitivity. For these estimates we provide results using two mass-law priors: one assuming that all stars have an equal planet-hosting probability, and the other assuming that planets are more likely to orbit around more massive stars. In the first scenario, we estimate that the lens system is likely to be a planet of mass mplanet=46-24+42M⊕ and a host star of mass Mhost=0.43-0.23+0.39M⊙, located at a distance DL=7.49-1.13+0.99kpc . For the second scenario, we estimate mplanet=69-34+37M⊕, Mhost=0.66-0.32+0.35M⊙, and DL=7.81-0.93+0.93kpc . The planet has a projected separation as a fraction of the Einstein ring radius s=1.3807-0.0018+0.0018 . As a cool sub-Saturn-mass planet, this planet adds to a growing collection of evidence for revised planetary formation models.

Description
Keywords
5109 Space Sciences , 51 Physical Sciences , 0201 Astronomical and Space Sciences , Astronomy & Astrophysics , 5101 Astronomical sciences , 5107 Particle and high energy physics
Source
Astronomical Journal, ISSN: 0004-6256 (Print); 1538-3881 (Online), American Astronomical Society, 165(4), 175-175. doi: 10.3847/1538-3881/acbcc8
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