The most common planets in the galaxy don't appear around the most common stars, TESS observations suggest

Key Points:

• New research from McMaster University reveals that the most common planets in the galaxy differ depending on the type of star, with sub-Neptunes prevalent around sunlike stars but nearly absent around the more common mid-to-late M dwarfs.
• Using data from NASA's TESS mission, researchers found that mid-to-late M dwarfs host many super-Earths but virtually no sub-Neptunes, challenging existing planet formation theories.
• The study suggests that planet formation around these small, active stars may favor water-rich worlds rather than gas-shrouded sub-Neptunes, questioning the role of photoevaporation in shaping planetary atmospheres.
• These findings, published in The Astronomical Journal, contribute to a rapidly evolving understanding of exoplanets, highlighting the need to consider diverse stellar environments to fully grasp planet origins and compositions.
• The research underscores the importance of missions like TESS in expanding our knowledge beyond the solar system and refining models of planetary system formation across the galaxy.