Link to main discussion of planetary systems around M dwarf stars

This diagram represents all confirmed planetary systems centered on M dwarf stars, with the inner Solar System included for comparison. The sizes of the icons indicate the relative masses (but not the relative diameters) of system components. Planetary masses are shown at a proportionately larger scale than stellar masses. The horizontal scale indicating semimajor axes is discontinuous to accommodate crowded inner orbits.

For more information on some of the systems summarized here, follow the links below. For more precise physical and orbital characteristics, see the table below. See also the comparative diagrams of Two-Planet Systems and Multiple-Planet Systems.

GJ 436     GJ 581     GJ 674     GJ 849     GJ 876


Key to Planetary Icons  (all values approximate)

Super Earth Hot Neptune Super Saturn Jupiter Twin Twice Jupiter's mass

10
M
EARTH

0.05
M
JUP

0.6
M
JUP

1
M
JUP

2
M
JUP





Extrasolar Planets Orbiting M Dwarf Stars



Notes: Column 1 gives the star name. Column 2 gives the spectral type. Column 3 gives the star mass as a fraction of our Sun. Column 4 gives the star metallicity (Sol = 0). Column 5 gives the star's distance from Earth in parsecs and light years. Column 6 gives the planet designation. Column 7 gives the planet mass, expressed in terms of Jupiter's mass for gas giant planets (mass > 0.1 Mjup) and of Earth's mass for icy and terrestrial planets. Column 8 gives the planet's distance from the host star in astronomical units. Column 9 gives the orbital eccentricity. Column 10 gives the orbital period, either in days (d) or in years as appropriate. (Also available in Word format.)

All metallicities except GJ 176 from Bailey et al. 2008 (ApJ in press). Data on GJ 674 system from Bonfils et al. 2007 (A&A 474:293-299); data on GJ 317 system from Johnson et al. 2007 (ApJ 670:833–840); data on GJ 176 system from Forveille et al. 2008 (A&A in press); data on GJ 832 system from Bailey et al. 2008. Other spectral types from Bean et al. 2006 (ApJ 653:L65-L68) and Butler et al. 2006b (PASP 108). Data on GJ 581 b, c, and d from Udry et al. 2007 (A&A 469:L43–L47). Other data from the Catalog of Nearby Exoplanets (http://exoplanets.org/planets.shtml). See References.

Last update September 2008









All text is copyright Raymond Harris 2006-2008. Image credits appear in the accompanying caption.