Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
NASA scientists have identified a new exoplanet, TOI-3261 b, with an extraordinarily short year lasting just 21 Earth hours. The planet is similar in size to Neptune but orbits its star at an incredibly close distance, which results in its brief orbital period.
Credit : NASA
The discovery was made using NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), with further confirmation through ground-based telescopes located in Australia, Chile, and South Africa.
TOI-3261 b is classified as a “hot Neptune,” a rare category of exoplanets. These planets are typically characterized by their small size, proximity to their stars, and extremely short orbital periods. TOI-3261 b is one of only four known exoplanets in this category.
Credit : NASA
The exoplanet orbits its star with such close proximity that its “year” is completed in just 21 hours, marking a new record for ultra-short orbital periods among Neptune-sized planets.
The research team suggests that TOI-3261 b may have originally been a massive gas giant, possibly similar to Jupiter, but underwent significant transformation. The planet likely lost a considerable amount of mass through processes such as photoevaporation and tidal stripping by its star.
Credit : NASA
TOI-3261 b has a density twice that of Neptune, suggesting that its atmosphere has been stripped of lighter elements. This offers a glimpse into the planet’s past atmospheric composition, which has likely evolved due to its close proximity to the star.
Credit : NASA
Astronomers aim to study TOI-3261 b’s remaining atmosphere to further understand the planet’s history and the processes that shaped it. Infrared observations, potentially using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, will help researchers identify the chemical fingerprints of the planet’s atmosphere.
The findings of TOI-3261 b provide valuable insights into the formation and evolution of hot, giant planets. Understanding planets like this can help astronomers piece together the physical processes that govern planets orbiting close to their stars.
Credit : NASA