Newly Discovered 'Super Earth' Is Among Largest Exoplanets Ever Found

Scientists have found another exoplanet! Exoplanets are planets that are situated outside our solar system. This time, they've found another "Super Earth" coated in molten magma. On this planet, a year only lasts half a day.

Mind-boggling, right? The planet has been named TOI-1075 b and was spotted in observations from NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) Spacecraft. Analysis of data from this four-year-old mission revealed that TOI-1075 b has a superheated surface of 1,050 degree Celsius (that's 1,922 F).

NASA

A super hot exoplanet

This exoplanet is super hot owing to its closeness to its parent star - a red-orange star situated about 200 light-years from Earth. Its orbit around the parent star is short - lasting for just 14.5 hours. What makes this planet truly fascinating is that it's one of the most massive of its exoplanet class.

"New data shows that TOI-1075 b is one of the most massive super-Earths discovered so far," NASA officials wrote in the announcement from November 8.

Also read:?Astonishing Details Of An Alien Planet's Atmosphere Captured By James Webb

Another exoplanet / NASA

If it's so hot, then why is it called a Super Earth? This descriptor only implies that the planet shares some characteristics with our dear planet Earth. There are no Super Earths in our solar system, but scientists remain curious.?If humans ever visited TOI-1075 b, our weight would triple on the planet's surface, for it is 10 times more massive than Earth.?

This planet was discovered using TESS' transit method. Essentially, the spacecraft scanned the night sky for signs of brightness changes. If a star's light dims periodically, it might indicate the presence of an exoplanet and its orbit.

NASA

Also read:?'Planet Killer' Asteroid Hiding Behind The Sun's Glare May Hit Earth One Day

Owing to this technique, TESS has observed more than 5,000 exoplanet candidates.?

What do you think about this Super Earth? Let us know in the comments below.?For more in the world of?technology?and?science, keep reading?Indiatimes.com.?

References

Brennan, B. N. P. E. E. P. (2022, November 8). Discovery Alert: Massive Planet is a 'Hulk' among Super-Earths. Exoplanet Exploration: Planets Beyond Our Solar System. https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/news/1714/discovery-alert-massive-planet-is-a-hulk-among-super-earths/

Urrutia, D. E. (2022, November 23). This scorching “super-Earth” exoplanet is one of the most massive ever discovered. Space.com. https://www.space.com/hulk-massive-super-earth-exoplanet-discovered