Scaling K2. V. Statistical Validation of 60 New Exoplanets From K2 Campaigns 2–18

Abstract The NASA K2 mission, salvaged from the hardware failures of Kepler telescope, has continued Kepler’s planet-hunting success. It revealed nearly 500 transiting planets around ecliptic plane, many which are subject further study, and over 1000 additional candidates. Here we present results an ongoing project to follow-up statistically validate new planets, in particular identify promising targets for characterization. By analyzing reconnaissance spectra, high-resolution imaging, centroid variations, statistical likelihood signals 91 candidates, 60 46 systems. These include a number amenable transmission spectroscopy (K2-384 f, K2-387 b, K2-390 K2-403 K2-398 c), emission (K2-371 K2-370 K2-399 b), both (K2-405 b K2-406 b); several systems with or close mean motion resonances (K2-381 K2-398) including compact, TRAPPIST-1-like system five small orbiting mid-M dwarf (K2-384); ultra-short-period sub-Saturn hot Saturn desert (K2-399 super-Earth moderately bright ( V = 11.93), metal-poor ([Fe/H] ?0.579 ± 0.080) host star (K2-408 b). In total four F stars, 26 G 13 K three M dwarfs. addition, provide list 37 vetted planet candidates that should be prioritized future observation order confirmed validated.