TAPIR Seminar

The Kepler Mission, combined with ground based RV follow-up and TTV dynamical analyses, has revolutionized
the observational constraints on sub-Neptune-size planet compositions. We present an updated planet mass-radius
distribution including new Keck-RV masses (or mass upper limits) for 42 small Kepler planet candidates. From the
observed planet mass-radius distribution, we theorize about why parts of the distribution are unpopulated and about
whether this could be a signature of planet formation and evolution. We focus on the intriguing transition between rocky
exoplanets and planets with voluminous gas layers, and explore how the current census of sub-Neptune-size exoplanets
constrains the maximum radii of rocky planets.