Two Young Planetary Systems around Field Stars with Ages between 20 and 320 Myr from TESS

Planets around young stars trace the early evolution of planetary systems. We report the discovery and validation of two planetary systems with ages less than or similar to 300Myr from observations by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). The 40-320 Myr old G star TOI-251 hosts a -+2.74(-0.18)(+0.18) R-circle plus mini-Neptune with a 4.94 day period. The 20-160 Myr old K star TOI-942 hosts a system of inflated Neptune-sized planets, with TOI-942b orbiting in a period of 4.32 days with a radius of +4.81(-0.20)(+0.20) R-circle plus and TOI-942c orbiting in a period of 10.16 days with a radius of +5.79(-0.18)(+0.19) R-circle plus. Though we cannot place either host star into a known stellar association or cluster, we can estimate their ages via their photometric and spectroscopic properties. Both stars exhibit significant photometric variability due to spot modulation, with measured rotation periods of similar to 3.5 days. These stars also exhibit significant chromospheric activity, with age estimates from the chromospheric calcium emission lines and X-ray fluxes matching that estimated from gyrochronology. Both stars also exhibit significant lithium absorption, similar in equivalent width to well-characterized young cluster members. TESS has the potential to deliver a population of young planet-bearing field stars, contributing significantly to tracing the properties of planets as a function of their age.

Automated summary

Researchers reported the discovery and validation of two planetary systems with ages less than or similar to 300 million years, observed by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). The G star TOI-251 and K star TOI-942 host planets of various sizes and periods, with characteristics indicating their young age. The study suggests that TESS has the potential to contribute significantly to understanding the properties of planets in relation to their age.