On August 16, 2024, the Core Implementation Team (CIT) Leads led an Information Session on the Rocky Worlds Program processes, which covered the TUC list described below. Slides of the session can be found [here]. A recording of the session can be found [here].

The following Targets Under Consideration (TUC) have been selected, based on the criteria outlined by the Strategic Exoplanet Initiatives Working Group, as a starting point for collecting community input on the potential target list for the Rocky Worlds DDT program. These are objects that are believed to be rocky orbiting small, M-dwarf stars. The Core Implementation Team and the Science Advisory Committee are soliciting feedback on this target list — for more information on this feedback, please provide this feedback by April 4th, 2025 in this Google Form.

A graphical depiction of the current TUC in the context of Zahnle & Catling (2017)'s "Cosmic Shoreline" is presented below in Figure 1; the same targets are presented below in Table 1, which in turn contains details about possible rankings of the table. Note this is a dynamic table and can be re-ordered using any of the properties in the table. Previous versions of the TUC can be found below for comparison.

The overall parameters of the targets of the most up-to-date TUC (TUC v.1.0) below correspond to publicly available properties. However, the Priority Metrics have been calculated for some targets using input from precise RV characterization performed by teams around the world. Among these targets are:

1.1. TUC Version 1.0 (September 2024)


Figure 1. Targets Under Consideration (TUC) in the escape velocity (in km/s) versus the estimated relative cummulative XUV irradiation (in units of Earth's estimated value; estimated following Zahnle & Catling (2017)) are represented as grey points. Orange points represent selected Rocky Worlds DDT targets for which 15 um MIRI secondary eclipse photometry will be obtained. Values with added markers represent planets with precise mass constraints (better than 20% mass measurement errors)— see below for the actual table. Note the axes are logarithmic. The "Cosmic Shoreline", which in the Solar System seems to divide atmosphere from atmosphereless bodies and as described in Zahnle & Catling (2017) follows a I ~ Vesc4  relationship is presented as the blue line. Note this latter does not account for the fact that the objects plotted in grey orbit M-dwarf stars with different inherent properties — something that is expected to be taken into account when selecting a final target list. A "Priority Metric" is graphically shown, and represents the distance from a planet to the Cosmic Shoreline. Colored circles with black edges represent the Earth (blue), Venus (orange), Mars (red) and Mercury (yellow) in this diagram.


Table 1. Targets Under Consideration (TUC) for the Rocky Worlds DDT program (actual targets marked in bold orange below).

*: The Priority Metric calculated here is used to provide an initial ranking to each target in the TUC. Targets towards the top of this list (with a higher Priority Metric) are the top targets being considered for now. Rankings based on calculated equilibrium temperature and/or orbital period are also being considered; details such as the quality of orbital and physical parameters will also be taken into account for the final ranking. The Priority Metric is estimated by first calculating the Escape Velocity (Vesc) and Relative Cummulative XUV Irradiation (IXUV; following Zahnle & Catling, 2017) of each exoplanet in the list, and then estimating the distance from this point to the Cosmic Shoreline I ~ Vesc4 presented in Zahnle & Catling (2017). Values to the left of the Cosmic Shoreline are given negative distances.

**: Exoplanet has no mass constraint or poor mass constraint; mass has been estimated with the spright formalism following Parviainen, Luque, and Palle, 2023.

Ψ: Target already in at least one JWST program; observing mode(s) may or may not include emission photometry at 15 um.

Planet Name Radius
(REarth)
Mass 
(MEarth)
Period
(Days)
Kmag Teff
(K)
a/R* Rp/R*

Teq (K)

Priority Metric*

TOI-406 c 2.08 6.57 13.18 8.8 3392 44.6 0.047 359 0.1725
TOI-198 b 1.44 3.91 10.22 7.9 3650 49.1 0.03 368 0.1581
TOI-1452 b** 1.67 4.82 11.06 9.7 3185 47.7 0.056 326 0.1306
TOI-700 d** 1.07 1.14 37.42 8.6 3459 83.4 0.023 268 0.0874
LHS 1140 bΨ 1.73 5.6 24.74 8.8 2988 94.2 0.073 218 0.0762
TOI-776 b** 1.8 5 8.25 7.6 3725 25.7 0.03 520 0.0537
TOI-260 b** 1.47 3.3 13.48 6.5 4050 31.7 0.025 509 0.0346
LP 890-9 c** 1.37 2.68 8.46 11.3 2850 55.9 0.082 269 0.0344
K2-415 b** 1.02 3 4.02 9.9 3173 29.6 0.047 412 -0.0134
TRAPPIST-1 gΨ 1.13 1.32 12.35 10.3 2566 84.6 0.087 197 -0.0182
TOI-1467 b** 1.68 4.48 5.97 8.6 3776 22.6 0.034 562 -0.0244
TOI-700 e** 0.95 0.76 27.81 8.6 3459 68.4 0.021 296 -0.0344
TOI-1680 b** 1.47 3.37 4.8 10.8 3225 32 0.064 403 -0.0396
TOI-244 b 1.52 2.68 7.4 8 3433 28.1 0.033 458 -0.0457
TOI-237 b** 1.44 3 5.44 10.9 3212 34.7 0.062 386 -0.047
LTT 1445 A bΨ 1.32 2.73 5.36 6.5 3340 30.2 0.045 430 -0.0503
HD 260655 c 1.53 3.09 5.71 5.9 3803 23.4 0.032 556 -0.0687
K2-239 d** 1.1 1.24 10.12 10 3420 38.8 0.026 388 -0.083
TOI-5799 b** 1.63 3.86 4.16 9 3514 20.3 0.045 551 -0.0863
TRAPPIST-1 fΨ 1.05 1.04 9.21 10.3 2566 69.5 0.08 218 -0.0865
K2-129 b** 1.04 1.02 8.24 8.9 3459.09 34.4 0.027 417 -0.097
TOI-4559 b** 1.42 2.84 3.97 8.6 3558 19.7 0.035 567 -0.1154
Kepler-445 b** 1.58 3.55 2.98 12.6 3157 21.9 0.068 477 -0.1192
TOI-5388.01** 1.89 4.79 2.59 8.3 3495 16.9 0.056 601 -0.1199
TOI-2266 b** 1.54 3.77 2.33 11 3200 18.4 0.058 527 -0.1232
Gliese 12 b** 0.96 0.77 12.76 7.8 3296 53.5 0.034 319 -0.1297
TOI-1634 b** 1.77 7.57 0.99 8.6 3472 7.4 0.036 904 -0.1364
LHS 1140 cΨ 1.27 1.91 3.78 8.8 2988 27.5 0.054 403 -0.1452
LP 890-9 b** 1.32 2.38 2.73 11.3 2850 26.3 0.079 393 -0.1516
GJ 357 bΨ 1.22 1.84 3.93 6.5 3505 22.3 0.033 525 -0.1592
TOI-1468 bΨ 1.28 3.21 1.88 8.5 3496 13.1 0.034 682 -0.1609
TRAPPIST-1 hΨ 0.76 0.33 18.77 10.3 2566 111.8 0.058 172 -0.1624
K2-239 c** 1 0.89 7.78 10 3420 34 0.024 415 -0.1629
TOI-406 b 1.32 2.08 3.31 8.8 3392 17.6 0.03 572 -0.1705
LHS 1815 b** 1.09 1.58 3.81 8 3643 17.4 0.02 617 -0.1759
K2-239 b** 1.1 1.24 5.24 10 3420 24.6 0.026 488 -0.1778
TOI-2096 b** 1.24 1.92 3.12 11 3300 22.9 0.049 488 -0.185
L 98-59 d 1.52 1.94 7.45 7.1 3412 33.7 0.045 416 -0.1941
TOI-700 b** 0.91 0.65 9.98 8.6 3459 34.6 0.02 416 -0.1946
L 98-59 cΨ 1.385 2.22 3.69 7.1 3412 19 0.041 553 -0.203
HD 260655 bΨ 1.24 2.14 2.77 5.9 3803 14.4 0.026 708 -0.203
TRAPPIST-1 eΨ 0.92 0.69 6.1 10.3 2566 52.9 0.071 250 -0.2048
TOI-1693 b** 1.41 2.88 1.77 8.3 3499 10.6 0.028 761 -0.2142
LHS 1478 bΨ 1.24 2.33 1.95 8.8 3381 16.1 0.046 595 -0.2158
GJ 486 bΨ 1.32 3 1.47 6.4 3340 10.9 0.036 714 -0.217
TOI-270 bΨ 1.21 1.58 3.36 8.3 3506 18.2 0.029 581 -0.218
Kepler-446 b** 1.5 3.11 1.57 12.8 3359 14.2 0.057 630 -0.2231
LTT 1445 A cΨ 1.1 1.37 3.12 6.5 3340 21.1 0.036 514 -0.2283
TOI-771 b 1.42 2.96 2.33 9.7 3201 15.7 0.054 571 -0.2284
TRAPPIST-1 cΨ 1.1 1.31 2.42 10.3 2566 28.5 0.084 340 -0.2362
LHS 1678 d** 0.98 0.83 4.97 8.3 3490 26 0.027 484 -0.2501
GJ 1132 bΨ 1.1 1.66 1.63 8.3 3270 16 0.051 578 -0.2854
GJ 3929 bΨ 1.09 1.21 2.62 7.9 3384 16.8 0.033 584 -0.2937
TRAPPIST-1 bΨ 1.12 1.37 1.51 10.3 2566 20.8 0.086 397 -0.2953
LP 791-18 d** 1.03 0.9 2.75 10.6 2960 23.5 0.052 431 -0.3127
LHS 1678 c** 0.94 0.72 3.69 8.3 3490 21.4 0.026 534 -0.3128
TOI-6086 b** 1.18 1.6 1.39 10 3200 12.8 0.042 634 -0.3176
TOI-1450 A b 1.13 1.26 2.04 7.6 3437 11.2 0.021 725 -0.3191
GJ 3473 bΨ 1.21 1.86 1.2 8.8 3347 9.4 0.032 772 -0.3258
LTT 3780 b 1.33 2.46 0.77 8.2 3358 6.8 0.032 911 -0.3444
TRAPPIST-1 dΨ 0.79 0.39 4.05 10.3 2566 40.2 0.061 286 -0.3502
LP 791-18 b 1.21 1.76 0.95 10.6 2960 11.6 0.061 616 -0.3558
TOI-5720 b** 1.09 1.21 1.43 9.3 3325 11 0.028 710 -0.3579
LHS 475 bΨ,** 0.99 0.86 2.03 7.7 3300 15.9 0.033 586 -0.3607
TOI-1685 bΨ 1.47 3.03 0.67 8.8 3575 5.4 0.03 1091 -0.37
GJ 806 b** 1.33 1.9 0.93 6.5 3600 7.3 0.029 942 -0.3844
K2-91 b** 1.1 1.24 1.42 10.6 3488.89819 11.2 0.035 737 -0.3851
Wolf 327 b 1.24 2.53 0.57 8.4 3542 5.3 0.028 1088 -0.407
TOI-6008 b** 1.03 0.99 0.86 9.5 3075 9.4 0.039 708 -0.454
LHS 3844 bΨ,** 1.3 2.29 0.46 9.1 3036 7.1 0.064 805 -0.4567
TOI-540 b** 0.9 0.63 1.24 8.9 3216 13.9 0.044 610 -0.4797
SPECULOOS-3b** 0.98 0.82 0.72 10.5 2800 12.8 0.073 553 -0.4878
L 98-59 b 0.85 0.4 2.25 7.1 3412 15 0.025 623 -0.4943
Kepler-42b** 0.76 0.42 1.21 11.5 3258 14.3 0.04 610 -0.5359
GJ 1252 bΨ 1.18 1.32 0.52 7.9 3458 5 0.028 1090 -0.5425
TOI-4527.01** 0.91 2.09 0.4 7 3702 3.7 0.017 1363 -0.5778
LHS 1678 b** 0.69 0.24 0.86 8.3 3490 8.1 0.019 868 -0.6801
GJ 238 b** 0.57 0.13 1.74 7 3485 10.6 0.012 758 -0.6843
Kepler-42c** 0.73 0.35 0.45 11.5 3258 7.4 0.04 846 -0.7284
GJ 367 bΨ 0.7 0.63 0.32 5.8 3522 3.3 0.014 1365 -0.7673


1.2. TUC Version 0.0 (August 2024)

The below plots and table correspond to the first TUC version published by the Rocky Worlds CIT Leads in August 2024. Through community input, this plot and tables have been updated on TUC versions > 1.0. The most important change refers to the change in the definition of the Priority Metric from a linear scale in the current instellation observed on the planet (plot and table below, i.e., TUC v.0.0) to the estimated, cummulative integrated XUV irradiation (TUC v.1.0 and up). 


Figure 2. Targets Under Consideration (TUC) in the escape velocity (in km/s) versus planetary instellation (in units of Earth's instellation) are represented as grey points with added name markers — see below for the actual table. Note the axes are logarithmic. The "Cosmic Shoreline", which in the Solar System seems to divide atmosphere from atmosphereless bodies and as described in Zahnle & Catling (2017) follows a I ~ Vesc4  relationship is presented as the blue line. Note this latter does not account for the fact that the objects plotted in grey orbit M-dwarf stars with different inherent properties — something that is expected to be taken into account when selecting a final target list. A "Priority Metric" is graphically shown for TOI-1634 b, and represents the distance from a planet to the Cosmic Shoreline (see below for details). Colored circles with black edges represent the Earth (blue), Venus (orange), Mars (red) and Mercury (yellow) in this diagram.  


Table 2. Targets Under Consideration (TUC) for the Rocky Worlds DDT program.

*: The Priority Metric calculated here is used to provide an initial ranking to each target in the TUC. Targets towards the top of this list (with a higher Priority Metric) are the top targets being considered for now. Rankings based on calculated equilibrium temperature and/or orbital period are also being considered; details such as the quality of orbital and physical parameters will also be taken into account for the final ranking. The Priority Metric is estimated by first calculating the Escape Velocity (Vesc) and Instellation (I) of each exoplanet in the list, and then estimating the distance from this point to the Cosmic Shoreline I ~ Vesc4 presented in Zahnle & Catling (2017). Values to the left of the Cosmic Shoreline are given negative distances.

**: Exoplanet has no mass constraint or poor mass constraint; mass has been estimated via the Chen & Kipping (2017) formalism.

Ψ: Target already in at least one JWST program; observing mode(s) may or may not include emission photometry at 15 um.

Planet Name Radius
(REarth)
Mass 
(MEarth)
Period
(Days)
Kmag Teff
(K)
a/R* Rp/R*

Teq (K)

Priority Metric*

LHS 1140 bΨ 1.73 5.60 24.74 8.8 2988 96.4 0.073 215 12.64
K2-415 b** 1.02 3.00 4.02 9.9 3173 29.6 0.047 412 11.75
TOI-1452 b 1.67 4.82 11.06 9.7 3185 47.7 0.056 326 11.55
TOI-198 b** 1.44 3.98 10.22 7.9 3650 49.1 0.030 368 11.00
TOI-1634 b 1.77 7.57 0.99 8.6 3472 7.4 0.036 904 10.68
TOI-406.01** 1.96 4.74 13.18 8.8 3349 47.3 0.046 344 10.02
TOI-776 b 1.80 5.00 8.25 7.6 3725 25.7 0.030 520 10.01
Kepler-445 b** 1.58 3.55 2.98 12.6 3157 21.9 0.068 477 9.43
TOI-5388.01** 1.89 4.55 2.59 8.3 3495 16.9 0.056 601 9.29
LTT 1445 A bΨ 1.32 2.87 5.36 6.5 3340 30.2 0.045 430 9.19
TOI-2266 b** 1.54 3.33 2.33 11.0 3200 18.4 0.058 527 9.00
TOI-5799 b** 1.63 3.70 4.16 9.0 3514 20.3 0.045 551 8.99
TOI-1468 bΨ 1.28 3.21 1.88 8.5 3496 13.1 0.034 682 8.94
TOI-1680 b** 1.47 2.97 4.80 10.8 3225 32.0 0.064 403 8.75
TOI-237 b** 1.44 2.88 5.44 10.9 3212 34.7 0.062 386 8.67
TOI-1467 b** 1.68 3.93 5.97 8.6 3776 22.6 0.034 562 8.60
Kepler-446 b** 1.50 3.20 1.57 12.8 3359 14.2 0.057 630 8.56
TOI-260 b** 1.47 3.30 13.48 6.5 4050 31.7 0.025 509 8.28
TOI-771 b** 1.42 2.76 2.33 9.7 3201 15.7 0.054 571 8.12
LP 890-9 c** 1.37 2.44 8.46 11.3 2850 55.9 0.029 269 7.89
LHS 1478 bΨ 1.24 2.33 1.95 8.8 3381 16.1 0.046 595 7.76
TOI-4559 b** 1.42 2.76 3.97 8.6 3558 19.7 0.035 567 7.60
HD 260655 c 1.53 3.09 5.71 5.9 3803 23.4 0.032 556 7.58
GJ 486 bΨ 1.32 2.82 1.47 6.4 3340 10.9 0.036 714 7.48
TOI-244 b 1.52 2.68 7.40 8.0 3433 28.1 0.033 458 7.32
LP 890-9 b** 1.32 2.25 2.73 11.3 2850 26.3 0.028 393 7.31
LHS 1140 cΨ 1.27 1.91 3.78 8.8 2988 27.5 0.054 403 6.81
TOI-2096 b** 1.24 1.90 3.12 11.0 3300 22.9 0.049 488 6.75
L 98-59 cΨ 1.39 2.25 3.69 7.1 3412 19.0 0.041 553 6.70
LHS 3844 b** 1.30 2.25 0.46 9.1 3036 7.1 0.064 805 6.70
GJ 1132 bΨ 1.10 1.66 1.63 8.3 3270 16.0 0.051 578 6.57
LP 791-18 b** 1.21 1.79 0.95 10.6 2960 11.6 0.061 616 6.41
L 98-59 d 1.52 2.14 7.45 7.1 3412 33.7 0.045 416 6.28
GJ 357 bΨ 1.22 1.84 3.93 6.5 3505 22.3 0.033 525 6.25
LTT 1445 A c 1.10 1.54 3.12 6.5 3340 21.1 0.036 514 6.04
TOI-6086 b** 1.18 1.72 1.39 10.0 3200 12.8 0.042 634 5.88
K2-239 d** 1.10 1.37 10.12 10.0 3420 38.8 0.026 388 5.52
TOI-700 d** 1.07 1.26 37.42 8.6 3459 83.4 0.023 268 5.42
K2-239 b** 1.10 1.37 5.24 10.0 3420 24.6 0.026 488 5.11
HD 260655 bΨ 1.24 2.14 2.77 5.9 3803 14.4 0.026 708 4.92
TOI-270 bΨ 1.21 1.58 3.36 8.3 3506 18.2 0.029 581 4.86
TOI-1693 b** 1.41 2.65 1.77 8.3 3499 10.6 0.028 761 4.84
K2-129 b** 1.04 1.13 8.24 8.9 3459 34.4 0.027 417 4.80
GJ 3929 b 1.09 1.75 2.62 7.9 3384 16.8 0.016 584 4.48
GJ 3473 bΨ 1.21 1.86 1.20 8.8 3347 9.4 0.032 772 4.41
K2-239 c** 1.00 1.01 7.78 10.0 3420 34.0 0.024 415 4.40
SPECULOOS-3b** 0.98 0.92 0.72 10.5 2800 12.8 0.073 553 4.36
LHS 1815 b 1.09 1.58 3.81 8.0 3643 17.4 0.020 617 4.33
Gliese 12 b** 0.96 0.85 12.76 7.8 3296 53.5 0.034 319 4.14
TOI-700 e** 0.95 0.85 27.81 8.6 3459 68.4 0.021 296 4.10
K2-91 b** 1.10 1.37 1.42 10.6 3489 11.2 0.035 737 4.05
LP 791-18 d 1.03 0.90 2.75 10.6 2960 23.5 0.052 431 4.03
LHS 1678 d** 0.98 0.94 4.97 8.3 3490 26.0 0.027 484 4.00
TOI-6008 b** 1.03 1.11 0.86 9.5 3075 9.4 0.039 708 3.88
LTT 3780 b 1.33 2.46 0.77 8.2 3358 6.8 0.032 911 3.76
LHS 475 b** 0.99 0.94 2.03 7.7 3300 15.9 0.033 586 3.72
TOI-5720 b** 1.09 1.34 1.43 9.3 3325 11.0 0.028 710 3.50
LHS 1678 c** 0.94 0.83 3.69 8.3 3490 21.4 0.026 534 3.38
TOI-540 b** 0.90 0.70 1.24 8.9 3216 13.9 0.044 610 3.22
TOI-700 b** 0.91 0.70 9.98 8.6 3459 34.6 0.020 416 3.14
Wolf 327 b 1.24 2.53 0.57 8.4 3542 5.3 0.028 1088 2.59
Kepler-42b** 0.76 0.37 1.21 11.5 3258 14.3 0.040 610 1.67
TOI-1450 A b 1.13 1.25 2.04 7.6 3437 11.2 0.021 725 1.54
GJ 806 b 1.33 1.90 0.93 6.5 3600 7.3 0.029 942 1.15
L 98-59 b 0.85 0.47 2.25 7.1 3412 15.0 0.025 623 1.02
Kepler-42c** 0.73 0.31 0.45 11.5 3258 7.4 0.040 846 0.36
GJ 1252 b 1.18 1.32 0.52 7.9 3458 5.0 0.028 1090 -2.34
TOI-1685 b** 1.70 3.09 0.67 8.8 3434 5.2 0.032 1069 -2.67
LHS 1678 b** 0.69 0.25 0.86 8.3 3490 8.1 0.019 868 -3.26
GJ 238 b 0.57 0.12 1.74 7.0 3485 10.6 0.012 758 -4.82
GJ 367 bΨ 0.70 0.63 0.32 5.8 3522 3.3 0.014 1365 -9.03
TOI-4527.01** 0.91 0.74 0.40 7.0 3702 3.7 0.017 1363 -9.71
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