A hot sub-Neptune in the desert and a temperate super-Earth around faint M dwarfs: Color validation of TOI-4479b and TOI-2081b

Abstract

Aims. We report the discovery and validation of two TESS exoplanets orbiting faint M dwarfs: TOI-4479b and TOI-2081b. Methods. We jointly analyzed space (TESS mission) and ground-based (MuSCAT2, MuSCAT3 and SINISTRO instruments) light curves using our multicolor photometry transit analysis pipeline. This allowed us to compute contamination limits for both candidates and validate them as planet-sized companions. Results. We found TOI-4479b to be a sub-Neptune-sized planet (Rp = 2.82-0.63+0.65 R⊕) and TOI-2081b to be a super-Earth-sized planet (Rp = 2.04-0.54+0.50 R⊕). Furthermore, we obtained that TOI-4479b, with a short orbital period of 1.15890-0.00001+0.00002 days, lies within the Neptune desert and is in fact the largest nearly ultra-short period planet around an M dwarf known to date. Conclusions. These results make TOI-4479b rare among the currently known exoplanet population of M dwarf stars and an especially interesting target for spectroscopic follow-up and future studies of planet formation and evolution.