A 1.55 R habitable-zone planet hosted by TOI-715, an M4 star near the ecliptic South Pole

A new generation of observatories is enabling detailed study of exoplanetary atmospheres and the diversity of alien climates, allowing us to seek evidence for extraterrestrial biological and geological processes. Now is therefore the time to identify the most unique planets to be characterized with these instruments. In this context, we report on the discovery and validation of TOI-715 b, a Rb = 1.55 ± 0.06R planet orbiting its nearby (42 pc) M4 host (TOI-715/TIC 271971130) with a period Pb = 19.288004+−00000024000027 d. TOI-715 b was first identified by TESS and validated using ground-based photometry, high-resolution imaging and statistical validation. The planet’s orbital period combined with the stellar effective temperature Teff = 3075 ± 75 K give this planet an installation Sb = 0.67+−002015 S, placing it within the most conservative definitions of the habitable zone for rocky planets. TOI-715 b’s radius falls exactly between two measured locations of the M-dwarf radius valley; characterizing its mass and composition will help understand the true nature of the radius valley for low-mass stars. We demonstrate TOI-715 b is amenable for characterization using precise radial velocities and transmission spectroscopy. Additionally, we reveal a second candidate planet in the system, TIC 271971130.02, with a potential orbital period of P02 = 25.60712+−000003600031 d and a radius of R02 = 1.066 ± 0.092 R, just inside the outer boundary of the habitable zone, and near a 4:3 orbital period commensurability. Should this second planet be confirmed, it would represent the smallest habitable zone planet discovered by TESS to date. © 2023 The Author(s).