TESS and HARPS-N unveil two planets transiting TOI-1453. A super-Earth and one of the lowest mass sub-Neptunes

Abstract

We report on the validation and characterisation of two transiting planets around TOI-1453, a K-dwarf star in the TESS northern continuous viewing zone. In addition to the TESS data, we used ground-based photometric, spectroscopic, and high-resolution imaging follow-up observations to validate the two planets. We obtained 100 HARPS-N high-resolution spectra over two seasons and used them together with the TESS light curve to constrain the mass, radius, and orbit of each planet. TOI-1453 b is a super-Earth with an orbital period of $P_b$=4.314 days, a radius of $R_b$=1.17$\pm$0.06$R_{\oplus }$, and a mass lower than 2.32$M_{\oplus }$ (99$\%$). TOI-1453 c is a sub-Neptune with a period of $P_c$=6.589 days, radius of $R_c$=2.22$\pm$0.09$R_{\oplus }$, and mass of $M_c$=2.95$\pm$0.84$M_{\oplus }$. The two planets orbit TOI-1453 with a period ratio close to 3/2, although they are not in a mean motion resonance (MMR) state. We did not detect any transit timing variations in our attempt to further constrain the planet masses. TOI-1453 c has a very low bulk density and is one of the least massive sub-Neptunes discovered to date. It is compatible with having either a water-rich composition or a rocky core surrounded by a thick H/He atmosphere. However, we set constraints on the water mass fraction in the envelope according to either a water-rich or water-poor formation scenario. The star TOI-1453 belongs to the Galactic thin disc based on Gaia kinematics and has a sub-solar metallicity. This system is orbited by a fainter stellar companion at a projected distance of about 150 AU, classifying TOI-1453 b and c of S-type planets. These various planetary and stellar characteristics make TOI-1453 a valuable system for understanding the origin of super-Earths and sub-Neptunes.

23 pages. Accepted for publication in A&A