An Astrometric Planetary Companion Candidate to the M9 Dwarf TVLM 513–46546
Salvador Curiel, Gisela N. Ortiz-León, Amy J. Mioduszewski, Rosa M. Torres
Abstract
Abstract Astrometric observations of the M9 dwarf TVLM 513–46546 taken with the VLBA reveal an astrometric signature consistent with a period of 221 ± 5 days. The orbital fit implies that the companion has a mass m p = 0.35−0.42 M J , a circular orbit ( e ≃ 0), a semimajor axis a = 0.28−0.31 au, and an inclination angle i = 71°−88°. The detected companion, TVLM 513 b , is one of the few giant-mass planets found associated with ultracool dwarfs. The presence of a Saturn-like planet on a circular orbit 0.3 au from a 0.06−0.08 M ⊙ star represents a challenge to planet formation theory. This is the first astrometric detection of a planet at radio wavelengths.
Topics & Concepts
PhysicsPlanetAstronomyOrbit (dynamics)AstrophysicsAstrometryDwarf planetCircular orbitOrbital elementsOrbital inclinationBrown dwarfPlanetary systemStar (game theory)Planetary massOuter planetsExoplanetOrbital periodCelestial mechanicsOrbital mechanicsRadial velocityOrbital eccentricityStellar, planetary, and galactic studiesAstro and Planetary ScienceAstronomy and Astrophysical Research