2025AJ....169...90O

We use PyDynamicaLC, a model using the least number of-and the least correlated-degrees of freedom needed to derive a photodynamical model, to describe some of the smallest-and lowest-transit-timing-variation-amplitude-of the Kepler planets. We successfully analyze 64 systems containing 218 planets, for 88 of which we were able to determine significant masses (to better than 3σ). We demonstrate consistency with literature results over 2 orders of magnitude in mass, and for the planets that already had literature mass estimations, we were able to reduce the relative mass error by ∼22% (median value). Of the planets with determined masses, 23 are new mass determinations, with no previous significant literature values, including a planet smaller and lighter than Earth (KOI-1977.02/Kepler-345 b). These results demonstrate the power of photodynamical modeling with the appropriately chosen degrees of freedom. This will become increasingly more important as smaller planets are detected, especially as the TESS mission gathers ever longer baseline light curves and for the analysis of the future PLATO mission data.