Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
1998-07-29
Astrophys.J.505:L147-L149,1998
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
13 pages, 3 Figures
Scientific paper
10.1086/311623
Doppler measurements of the M4 dwarf star, Gliese 876, taken at both Lick and Keck Observatory reveal periodic, Keplerian velocity variations with a period of 61 days. The orbital fit implies that the companion has a mass of, M = 2.1 MJUP /sin i, an orbital eccentricity of, e = 0.27+-0.03, and a semimajor axis of, a = 0.21 AU. The planet is the first found around an M dwarf, and was drawn from a survey of 24 such stars at Lick Observatory. It is the closest extrasolar planet yet found, providing opportunities for follow--up detection. The presence of a giant planet on a non-circular orbit, 0.2 AU from a 1/3 M_Sun star, presents a challenge to planet formation theory. This planet detection around an M dwarf suggests that giant planets are numerous in the Galaxy.
Butler Paul R.
Fischer Debra Ann
Lissauer Jack . J.
Marcy Geo? W.
Vogt Stefan
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