Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
A team of scientists has stumbled upon a peculiar exoplanet dubbed TOI-6713.01, located within a distant star system. This remarkable find challenges conventional understanding, marking the first observation of its kind.
The discovery of TOI-6713.01 has been detailed in a study recently published in The Astronomical Journal, shedding light on its extraordinary characteristics.
Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, Dani Player
Circling a dwarf star situated approximately 66 light years away from Earth, TOI-6713.01 boasts an orbit akin to Mercury's highly elliptical path around the sun.
Representative pic
Observations from NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) have unveiled a striking feature: the planet's surface aglow with the fiery radiance of molten lava emitted by numerous active volcanoes.
With temperatures soaring beyond 4,200 degrees Fahrenheit (2,300 degrees Celsius), TOI-6713.01's environment fosters conditions conducive to molten lava, contributing to its vibrant optical luminosity.
AI generated
Lead researcher Stephen Kane likens the enigmatic planet to "Io on steroids," drawing parallels to Jupiter's volcanic moon renowned for its lava-covered terrain.
TOI-6713.01's proximity to its parent star and gravitational interactions with neighbouring planets induce gravitational tides, manipulating the planet's interior as it oscillates between varying distances from its sun.
The gravitational forces exerted by adjacent planets provoke dynamic fluctuations within TOI-6713.01's molten core, fuelling speculation about its internal composition and evolutionary trajectory.
Further investigations are imperative to validate and comprehend the unprecedented phenomenon exhibited by TOI-6713.01, unravelling the mysteries surrounding this extraordinary celestial entity.