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TOI-421 (also known as BD−14 1137) is a G-type main-sequence star located in the constellation Lepus. The star hosts two transiting exoplanets discovered in 2020 and forms a visual binary system with a nearby red dwarf star BD−14 1137 B. Both planets are hot Neptunes well-suited for atmospheric characterization. Due to the star's old age, knowing the composition of their atmosphere can provide valuable insights for validation of atmospheric evolution models.

Stellar characteristics

TOI-421 is a Solar-type star, of similar metallicity though somewhat smaller the Sun. According to the evolutionary models, it is thought to be an old star, age of approximately 10 billion years. Observations of variability related to its ~42-day rotation indicate a low level of stellar activity with only few surface spots, dominated by plages.

The red dwarf companion is positioned 29.4″ NW, corresponding to actual separation of approximately 2200 AU.

Planetary system

A discovery of two planets transiting the star was announced in 2020, based on TESS observations between 15 November 2018 and 7 January 2019, and confirmed with ground-based observations. The TESS light curve features two series of transit signals identified with the two planets; a deeper one every ~16.1 days and a shallower one every ~5.2 days.

The orbital parameters were refined in a 2024 study that included additional transit observations by TESS and CHEOPS as well as radial velocity measurements for determination of mass of the planets, showing that both planets have moderately eccentric orbits. The study did not find evidence of transit-timing variations, which could hint at existence of additional non-transiting planets.

TOI-421 b

The planet b is a hot mini-Neptune with a moderate density of 2.04±0.28 g⋅cm and equilibrium temperature of 922±14 K. Due to its high equilibrium temperature and small mass it is expected to experience significant atmospheric escape. However, the observed density is not consistent with a thin, hydrogen-depleted atmosphere expected from evolutionary models for a planet forming this close to the star. Planetary migration is a plausible explanation, meaning that the planet could have formed further away from the star and only more recently moved to current location.

TOI-421 b was selected as a JWST target early on as a planet similar in size and density to the well-studied sub-Neptune GJ 1214 b, but thought to be too hot for formation of atmospheric haze, which would allow for bulk chemical characterization of atmopshere. In 2025 it became the first sub-Neptune around a solar-type star to have its atmosphere characterized with JWST. The observed infrared spectrum is consistent with a hydrogen/helium dominated atmosphere and detected presence of water at abundances of 10‍–‍10 and hints of sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide, but no carbon dioxide or methane. The observed spectrum also excludes the possibility of presence of high altitude haze. This is in contrast to the observed composition of sub-Neptunes around red dwarf stars, which typically show a much higher fraction of heavier gas species.

TOI-421 c

The planet c is a hot Neptune with a low density of 0.590±0.066 g⋅cm, belonging to the super-puff class. Its equilibrium temperature is 635±9 K. Like the planet b, it is also expected to exhibit significant atmospheric escape. However, the low density implies that the planet has retained an extensive atmosphere.

See also

• K2-24 – another G-type main-sequence star with two puffy Neptunes

References

1. ^ Vallenari, A.; et al. (Gaia collaboration) (2023). "Gaia Data Release 3. Summary of the content and survey properties". Astronomy and Astrophysics. 674: A1. arXiv:2208.00211. Bibcode:2023A&A...674A...1G. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202243940. S2CID 244398875. Gaia DR3 record for this source at VizieR.
2. Høg, E.; Fabricius, C.; Makarov, V. V.; Urban, S.; Corbin, T.; Wycoff, G.; Bastian, U.; Schwekendiek, P.; Wicenec, A. (March 2000). "The Tycho-2 catalogue of the 2.5 million brightest stars". Astronomy and Astrophysics. 355: L27 – L30. Bibcode:2000A&A...355L..27H. ISSN 0004-6361.
3. ^ Carleo, Ilaria; et al. (2020). "The Multiplanet System TOI-421: A Warm Neptune and a Super Puffy Mini-Neptune Transiting a G9 V Star in a Visual Binary". The Astronomical Journal. 160 (3): 114. Bibcode:2020AJ....160..114C. doi:10.3847/1538-3881/aba124. S2CID 216036363.
4. ^ Krenn, A. F.; et al. (2024). "Characterisation of the TOI-421 planetary system using CHEOPS, TESS, and archival radial velocity data". Astronomy & Astrophysics. 686: A301. arXiv:2404.11074. Bibcode:2024A&A...686A.301K. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202348584. S2CID 269188184.
5. "BD-14 1137". SIMBAD. Centre de données astronomiques de Strasbourg. Retrieved 2025-01-09.
6. Carruthers, Margaret W.; Pulliam, Christine (2021-11-17). "Webb Primed to Lift the Haze Surrounding Sub-Neptunes". Webb. Space Telescope Science Institute.
7. Davenport, Brian; et al. (2025). "TOI-421 b: A Hot Sub-Neptune with a Haze-Free, Low Mean Molecular Weight Atmosphere". The Astrophysical Journal Letters. arXiv:2501.01498. S2CID 275324192.

v t e Constellation of Lepus
Lepus in Chinese astronomy List of star names in Lepus List of stars in Lepus
Stars	Bayer α (Arneb) β (Nihal) γ δ ε ζ η θ ι κ λ μ ν Flamsteed 1 8 10 12 17 19 4 Mon Variable R T RX AF AK HR 1621 1762 HD 31527 32450 32667 33142 33283 Other 2MASS J0523−1403 Gliese 229 TOI-421 WASP-49 WASP-61
Exoplanets HD 33283 b
Star clusters Messier 79
Nebulae Abell 7 IC 418
Galaxies	NGC 1964 1979 1993 2139 Other IRAS 06076-2139 PKS 0454-234
Category

• Lepus (constellation)
• TESS Objects of Interest
• TIC objects
• Durchmusterung objects
• 2MASS objects
• G-type main-sequence stars
• Planetary systems with two confirmed planets
• Planetary transit variables