http://arxiv.org/abs/1703.08548
We combine $Spitzer$ and ground-based KMTNet microlensing observations to identify and precisely measure an Earth-mass ($1.32^{+0.41}{-0.28} M\oplus$) planet OGLE-2016-BLG-1195Lb at $1.11^{+0.13}{-0.10}$ AU orbiting a $0.072^{+0.014}{-0.010} M_\odot$ ultracool dwarf, likely a brown dwarf. This is the lowest-mass microlensing planet to date. At $4.20^{+0.29}_{-0.34}$ kpc, it is the third consecutive case among the $Spitzer$ “Galactic distribution” planets toward the Galactic bulge that lies in the Galactic disk as opposed to the bulge itself, hinting at a skewed distribution of planets. Together with previous microlensing discoveries, the seven Earth-size planets orbiting the ultracool dwarf TRAPPIST-1, and the detection of disks around young brown dwarfs, OGLE-2016-BLG-1195Lb suggests that such planets might be common around ultracool dwarfs. It therefore sheds light on the formation of both brown dwarfs and planetary systems at the limit of low-mass protoplanetary disks.
Y. Shvartzvald, J. Yee, S. Novati, et. al.
Tue, 28 Mar 17
59/68
Comments: 17 pages, 3 figures, 2 tables. Submitted to ApJ
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