Small red stars lack the typical gap between rocky planets and gas giants

Star system: LP 92-279 | Distance from the Sun: 92.2 light years

A comprehensive search of over 8,000 small, cool stars known as mid-to-late M dwarfs has revealed that these stars are the most common hosts for small planets in our galaxy. Unlike larger stars like our Sun, which typically show a clear 'radius valley'—a gap where planets of a specific size are rarely found—these small stars host a continuous range of planet sizes peaking at about 1.25 times the size of Earth. 

The study found that rocky 'super-Earths' are over five times more common than gas-rich 'sub-Neptunes' around these stars. These findings suggest that planets around the smallest stars likely formed from water-rich material, providing a unique environment for planetary development compared to our own solar system.

Scientific study

TESS Planet Occurrence Rates Reveal the Disappearance of the Radius Valley Around Mid-to-Late M Dwarfs (external link)