An Earth-mass planet in a time of COVID-19: KMT-2020-BLG-0414Lb

We report the discovery of KMT-2020-BLG-0414Lb, with a planet-to-host mass ratio q (2) = 0.9-1.2 x 10(-5) = 3-4 circle plus at 1 sigma, which is the lowest mass-ratio microlensing planet to date. Together with two other recent discoveries (4 less than or similar to q/q (circle plus) less than or similar to 6), it fills out the previous empty sector at the bottom of the triangular (log s, log q) diagram, where s is the planet-host separation in units of the angular Einstein radius theta E. Hence, these discoveries call into question the existence, or at least the strength, of the break in the mass-ratio function that was previously suggested to account for the paucity of very low-q planets. Due to the extreme magnification of the event, A (max) similar to 1450 for the underlying single-lens event, its light curve revealed a second companion with q (3) similar to 0.05 and |log s (3)| similar to 1, i.e., a factor similar to 10 closer to or farther from the host in projection. The measurements of the microlens parallax pi (E) and the angular Einstein radius theta E allow estimates of the host, planet and second companion masses, (M (1), M (2), M (3)) similar to (0.3 M (circle dot), 1.0 M (circle plus), 17 M-J ), the planet and second companion projected separations, (a (perpendicular to,2), a (perpendicular to,3)) similar to (1.5, 0.15 or 15) au, and system distance D (L) similar to 1 kpc. The lens could account for most or all of the blended light (I similar to 19.3) and so can be studied immediately with high-resolution photometric and spectroscopic observations that can further clarify the nature of the system. The planet was found as part of a new program of high-cadence follow-up observations of high-magnification events. The detection of this planet, despite the considerable difficulties imposed by COVID-19 (two KMT sites and OGLE were shut down), illustrates the potential utility of this program.

Automated summary

This paper reports the discovery of KMT-2020-BLG-0414Lb, which is one of the lowest mass-ratio microlensing planets to date. The study fills out the previous empty sector at the bottom of the triangular diagram, calling into question the previous suggestion of a break in the mass-ratio function to explain the scarcity of very low-q planets.