The multi-planet system TOI-5624: four transiting sub-Neptunes with an outer companion revealed by transit-timing variations

Bonfanti, A.; Gandolfi, D.; Leonardi, P.; Osborn, H. P.; Serrano, L. M.; Hébrard, G.; Billot, N.; Bekkelien, A.; Olofsson, G.; Broeg, C.; Nardiello, D.; Sousa, S. G.; Wilson, T. G.; Correia, A. C. M.; Pezzotti, C.; Brandeker, A.; Fossati, L.; Gillon, M.; Stalport, M.; Akinsanmi, B.; Alibert, Y.; Alonso, R.; Asquier, J.; Bárczy, T.; Barrado, D.; Barros, S. C. C.; Baumjohann, W.; Benz, W.; Borsato, L.; Castro-González, A.; Collier Cameron, A.; Csizmadia, Sz.; Cubillos, P. E.; Davies, M. B.; Deleuil, M.; Delfosse, X.; Deline, A.; Demangeon, O. D. S.; Demory, B.-O.; Derekas, A.; Destriez, F.; Edwards, B.; Ehrenreich, D.; Erikson, A.; Fortier, A.; Fridlund, M.; Gazeas, K.; Güdel, M.; Günther, M. N.; Hara, N.; Heidari, N.; Heitzmann, A.; Helling, Ch.; Isaak, K. G.; Keller, T.; Kiss, L. L.; Kitzmann, D.; Korth, J.; Lacedelli, G.; Lam, K. W. F.; Laskar, J.; Lecavelier des Etangs, A.; Leleu, A.; Lendl, M.; Magrin, D.; Maxted, P. F. L.; Mecina, M.; Merín, B.; Mordasini, C.; Nascimbeni, V.; Ottensamer, R.; Pagano, I.; Pallé, E.; Peter, G.; Piazza, D.; Piotto, G.; Pollacco, D.; Queloz, D.; Ragazzoni, R.; Rando, N.; Rauer, H.; Ribas, I.; Santos, N. C.; Scandariato, G.; Ségransan, D.; Simon, A. E.; Smith, A. M. S.; Sulis, S.; Szabó, Gy. M.; Udry, S.; Ulmer-Moll, S.; Van Grootel, V.; Venturini, J.; Verrecchia, F.; Villaver, E.; Walton, N. A.; Wolf, S.; Wolter, D.; Zingales, T.
Bibliographical reference

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Advertised on:
5
2026
Number of authors
99
IAC number of authors
4
Citations
0
Refereed citations
0
Description
Context. Following the 2022 alert of a TESS object of interest transiting TOI-5624 (a G7 V star ∼ 100 pc away), a CHEOPS campaign in 2023 detected four planetary signals at Pb ≍ 3.4, Pc ≍ 7.9, Pd ≍ 13.7, and Pe ≍ 21.5 days. These signals were later confirmed by additional TESS and CHEOPS photometry in 2024-2025. Aims. By using TESS and CHEOPS photometry, along with HARPS-N and SOPHIE high-resolution spectra, we determined the planet properties and performed a dynamical analysis of the system. Methods. After analysing the photometric data, we extracted and modelled the radial velocity (RV) time series using two independent methodologies, both within a Markov chain Monte Carlo framework. We further integrated the N-body equations of motion, while simultaneously fitting the transit times and the detrended RVs, to dynamically characterise the system. Results. We present the discovery of four transiting sub-Neptunes with radii of Rb = 2.314 ± 0.035 R⊕, Rc = 2.474 ± 0.042 R⊕, Rd = 3.584−0.050+0.051 R⊕, and Re = 3.247−0.043+0.042 R⊕, along with masses of Mb = 9.4 ± 1.4M⊕, Mc = 4.8 ± 1.9M⊕, Md = 4.9 ± 2.2M⊕, and Me = 8.9−3.0+2.9 M⊕. Our photometric analysis revealed that the outermost transiting planet TOI-5624e shows significant transit-timing variations (TTVs). Indeed, we found a robust Keplerian signal in the RV time series close to the 2:1 period commensurability with TOI-5624 e, which explains the TTV pattern exhibited by TOI-5624 e according to our dynamical analysis. We labelled this non-transiting planet as TOI-5624 f and determined its minimum mass to be Mf sin if = 13.0 ± 3.7 M⊕. Conclusions. Among the known systems hosting more than four planets, the remarkable precision with which the radii have been measured (<1.7%) and the firm assessment (>3σ) of the mass for at least three planets has previously been reached only for TRAPPIST-1. Additional photometric observations will enable a better sample of the TTV modulation and a more robust dynamical determination of the masses.