  Precision radial velocities from the Automated Planet Finder and Keck/HIRES
reveal an M*sin(i) =18 +/- 2 Earth mass planet orbiting the nearby M3V star GJ
687. This planet has an orbital period, P = 38.14 days, and a low orbital
eccentricity. Our Stromgren b and y photometry of the host star suggests a
stellar rotation signature with a period of P = 60 days. The star is somewhat
chromospherically active, with a spot filling factor estimated to be several
percent. The rotationally{induced 60-day signal, however, is well-separated
from the period of the radial velocity variations, instilling confidence in the
interpretation of a Keplerian origin for the observed velocity variations.
Although GJ 687b produces relatively little specific interest in connection
with its individual properties, a compelling case can be argued that it is
worthy of remark as an eminently typical, yet at a distance of 4.52 pc, a very
nearby representative of the galactic planetary census. The detection of GJ
687b indicates that the APF telescope is well suited to the discovery of
low-mass planets orbiting low-mass stars in the as-yet relatively un-surveyed
region of the sky near the north celestial pole.
