We present 2241 exoplanet candidates identified with data from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) during its 2 yr Prime Mission. We list these candidates in the TESS Objects of Interest (TOI) Catalog, which includes both new planet candidates found by TESS and previously known planets recovered by TESS observations. We describe the process used to identify TOIs, investigate the characteristics of the new planet candidates, and discuss some notable TESS planet discoveries. The TOI catalog includes an unprecedented number of small planet candidates around nearby bright stars, which are well suited for detailed follow-up observations. The TESS data products for the Prime Mission (sectors 1-26), including the TOI catalog, light curves, full-frame images, and target pixel files, are publicly available at the Mikulski Archive for Space Telescopes.

We report on the discovery of three transiting planets around GJ9827. The planets have radii of 1.75±0.18, 1.36±0.14, and 2.11 0.21 0.22 -+ R ⊕ , and periods of 1.20896, 3.6480, and 6.2014 days, respectively. The detection was made in Campaign 12 observations as part of our K2 survey of nearby stars. GJ9827 is a V=10.39 mag K6V star at a distance of 30.3±1.6 parsecs and the nearest star to be found hosting planets by Kepler and K2. The radial velocity follow-up, high-resolution imaging, and detection of multiple transiting objects near commensurability drastically reduce the false positive probability. The orbital periods of GJ9827b, c, and d planets are very close to the 1:3:5 mean motion resonance. Our preliminary analysis shows that GJ9827 planets are excellent candidates for atmospheric observations. Besides, the planetary radii span both sides of the rocky and gaseous divide, hence the system will be an asset in expanding our understanding of the threshold.

Context. One of the most promising avenues for the detailed study of temperate Earth-sized exoplanets is the detection of such planets in transit in front of stars that are small and near enough to make it possible to carry out a thorough atmospheric characterisation with next-generation telescopes, such as the James Webb Space telescope (JWST) or Extremely Large Telescope (ELT). In this context, the TRAPPIST-1 planets form a unique benchmark system that has garnered the interest of a large scientific community. Aims. The SPECULOOS survey is an exoplanet transit survey targeting a volume-limited (40 pc) sample of ultracool dwarf stars (of spectral type M7 and later) that is based on a network of robotic 1 m telescopes especially designed for this survey. The strategy for brighter and earlier targets leverages the synergy with the ongoing TESS space-based exoplanet transit survey. Methods. We define the SPECULOOS target list as the sum of three non-overlapping sub-programmes incorporating the latest type objects (T eff 3000 K). Programme 1 features 365 dwarfs that are small and near enough to make it possible to detail atmospheric characterisation of an 'Earth-like' planet with the upcoming JWST. Programme 2 features 171 dwarfs of M5-type and later for which a significant detection of a planet similar to TRAPPIST-1b should be within reach of TESS. Programme 3 features 1121 dwarfs that are later than M6-type. These programmes form the basis of our statistical census of short-period planets around ultracool dwarf stars. Results. Our compound target list includes 1657 photometrically classified late-type dwarfs, with 260 of these targets classified, for the first time, as possible nearby ultracool dwarf stars. Our general observational strategy was to monitor each target between 100 and 200 hr with our telescope network, making efficient use of the synergy with TESS for our Programme 2 targets and a proportion of targets in our Programme 1. Conclusions. Based on Monte Carlo simulations, we expect to detect up to a few dozen temperate, rocky planets. We also expect a number of them to prove amenable for atmospheric characterisation with JWST and other future giant telescopes, which will substantially improve our understanding of the planetary population of the latest-type stars.

We study the red-optical photometry of the ultrahot Jupiter WASP-121 b as observed by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) and model its atmosphere through a radiative transfer simulation. Given its short orbital period of ∼1.275 days, inflated state, and bright host star, WASP-121 b is exceptionally favorable for detailed atmospheric characterization. Toward this purpose, we use allesfitter to characterize its full red-optical phase curve, including the planetary phase modulation and secondary eclipse. We measure the day-and nightside brightness temperatures in the TESS passband as -+ 3012 42 40 and -+2022 602 254 K, respectively, and do not find a statistically significant phase shift between the brightest and substellar points. This is consistent with inefficient heat recirculation on the planet. We then perform an atmospheric retrieval analysis to infer the dayside atmospheric properties of WASP-121 b, such as its bulk composition, albedo, and heat recirculation. We confirm the temperature inversion in the atmosphere and suggest H − , TiO, and VO as potential causes of the inversion, absorbing heat at optical wavelengths at low pressures. Future Hubble Space Telescope and James Webb Space Telescope observations of WASP-121 b will benefit from its first full phase curve measured by TESS.Unified Astronomy Thesaurus concepts: Exoplanet atmospheres (487); Exoplanet atmospheric composition (2021); Exoplanet astronomy (486); Hot Jupiters (753); Extrasolar gaseous giant planets (509)

Self-organized pattern formation has been previously observed in cathode boundary layer discharges (CBLDs) in high-purity xenon gas at pressures ranging from about 60 Torr to atmospheric pressure. However, certain modes predicted by the COMSOL multiphysics simulation were never observed. In this paper, using the same reactor design, we managed to fine tune the discharge current into regions that were not fully explored before. Two new self-organized patterns were observed, at the verge of the extinguishing of the self-organization. One pattern was a perfect ring that was detached from the dielectric walls. The other pattern was a series elongated spots arranged along a circle. Both patterns were preferably observed at pressures ranging from 60 to 120 Torr. The observation of these patterns may open up new discussions to the self-organized pattern formation in CBLD in xenon.

Self-organized patterns of cathodic spots have been observed in microdischarges operated in xenon, but not in other gases. However, modelling has indicated that it is, in principle, possible to observe the patterns of spots in discharges operated in other gases provided that experimental conditions, in particular pressure, are right. In this work, self-organized patterns of cathodic spots are for the first time observed in dc glow microdischarges operated in a gas other than xenon: krypton. The experiments have been guided by the modelling. According to both the experiment and the modelling, patterns in krypton are similar to those found earlier in xenon, however occur at higher pressures.

Context. Multi-planet systems are excellent laboratories to test planet formation models, since all planets are formed under the same initial conditions. In this context, systems transiting bright stars can play a key role, since planetary masses, radii, and bulk densities can be accurately measured. Aims. GJ 9827 (K2-135) has recently been found to host a tightly packed system consisting of three transiting small planets whose orbital periods of 1.2, 3.6, and 6.2 days are near the 1:3:5 ratio. GJ 9827 hosts the nearest planetary system (d = 30.32 ± 1.62 pc) detected by Kepler and K2. Its brightness (V = 10.35 mag) makes the star an ideal target for detailed studies of the properties of its planets. Methods. Combining the K2 photometry with high-precision radial-velocity measurements gathered with the FIES, HARPS, and HARPS-N spectrographs we revise the system parameters and derive the masses of the three planets.Results. We find that GJ 9827 b has a mass of M b = 3.74 +0.50 −0.48 M ⊕ and a radius of R b = 1.62 +0.17 −0.16 R ⊕ , yielding a mean density of ρ b = 4.81 +1.97 −1.33 g cm −3 . GJ 9827 c has a mass of M c = 1.47 +0.59 −0.58 M ⊕ , radius of R c = 1.27 +0.13 −0.13 R ⊕ , and a mean density of ρ c = 3.87 +2.38 −1.71 g cm −3 . For GJ 9827 d we derive M d = 2.38 +0.71 −0.69 M ⊕ , R d = 2.09 +0.22 −0.21 R ⊕ , and ρ d = 1.42 +0.75 −0.52 g cm −3. Conclusions. GJ 9827 is one of the few known transiting planetary systems for which the masses of all planets have been determined with a precision better than 30%. This system is particularly interesting because all three planets are close to the limit between super-Earths and mini-Neptunes. We also find that the planetary bulk compositions are compatible with a scenario where all three planets formed with similar core/atmosphere compositions, and we speculate that while GJ 9827 b and GJ 9827 c lost their atmospheric envelopes, GJ 9827 d maintained its atmosphere, owing to the much lower stellar irradiation. This makes GJ 9827 one of the very few systems where the dynamical evolution and the atmospheric escape can be studied in detail for all planets, helping us to understand how compact systems form and evolve.

We report the discovery and characterisation of a super-Earth and a sub-Neptune transiting the bright (K = 8.8), quiet, and nearby (37 pc) M3V dwarf TOI-1266. We validate the planetary nature of TOI-1266 b and c using four sectors of TESS photometry and data from the newly-commissioned 1-m SAINT-EX telescope located in San Pedro Mártir (México). We also include additional ground-based follow-up photometry as well as high-resolution spectroscopy and high-angular imaging observations. The inner, larger planet has a radius of R = 2.37−0.12+0.16 R⊕ and an orbital period of 10.9 days. The outer, smaller planet has a radius of R = 1.56−0.13+0.15 R⊕ on an 18.8-day orbit. The data are found to be consistent with circular, co-planar and stable orbits that are weakly influenced by the 2:1 mean motion resonance. Our TTV analysis of the combined dataset enables model-independent constraints on the masses and eccentricities of the planets. We find planetary masses of Mp = 13.5−9.0+11.0 M⊕ (<36.8 M⊕ at 2-σ) for TOI-1266 b and 2.2−1.5+2.0 M⊕ (<5.7 M⊕ at 2-σ) for TOI-1266 c. We find small but non-zero orbital eccentricities of 0.09−0.05+0.06 (<0.21 at 2-σ) for TOI-1266 b and 0.04 ± 0.03 (< 0.10 at 2-σ) for TOI-1266 c. The equilibrium temperatures of both planets are of 413 ± 20 and 344 ± 16 K, respectively, assuming a null Bond albedo and uniform heat redistribution from the day-side to the night-side hemisphere. The host brightness and negligible activity combined with the planetary system architecture and favourable planet-to-star radii ratios makes TOI-1266 an exquisite system for a detailed characterisation.