'Hot Neptune': NASA's exoplanet hunter discovers 'weird' world enduring a Star's relentless bombardment
Produced by: Tarun Mishra
Credit: Roberto Molar Candanosa/Johns Hopkins University
Discovery by TESS
NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) has discovered a peculiar exoplanet named Phoenix, which has puzzled astronomers due to its unexpected atmospheric retention despite harsh conditions.
Planetary Characteristics
Phoenix, officially designated TIC 365102760 b, is a "hot Neptune" — a planet smaller than Jupiter but larger than Earth. It is smaller, older, and hotter than previously expected for such a planet, with a surprisingly puffy atmosphere.
Proximity to Host Star
Phoenix orbits the red giant star TIC 365102760, located about 1,800 light-years from Earth. It is so close to its star that it should have lost its atmosphere due to the intense radiation, yet it has managed to retain it.
Longevity of Phoenix
Despite its resilience, Phoenix is predicted to spiral into its giant star within the next 100 million years. Its survival thus far challenges existing theories about planetary atmospheres in extreme environments.
Credit: ESO
Scientific Significance
The discovery of Phoenix highlights the diverse variety of exoplanets and the complex evolutionary paths planetary systems can take. It provides a new perspective on planetary survival in harsh stellar conditions.
Credit: ESO/L. Calçada
Research Insights
According to Sam Grunblatt, team leader and astrophysicist at Johns Hopkins University, Phoenix's unexpectedly large and less dense atmosphere raises questions about how it has managed to hold on to its atmosphere.
Implications for Earth's Future
Phoenix's host star is a red giant, similar to what our Sun will become in about 5 billion years. Studying Phoenix could help scientists understand how Earth's atmosphere might evolve in the distant future under similar conditions.
Further Research
The findings, published in The Astrophysical Journal, validate TESS's ability to detect smaller and less dense planets. The research team plans to continue observing smaller exoplanets using their newly developed methods to better understand atmospheric evolution.