TL;DR
NASA’s TESS spacecraft has found two unusually light, puffed-up planets in a single star system, both larger than Jupiter but with very low mass, marking a rare discovery. Researchers aim to study their composition and formation.
NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) has identified two of the ‘puffiest’ planets ever discovered, both orbiting the same star system. These planets are as large as Jupiter but have only a tiny fraction of its mass, making them extremely low-density worlds. The find highlights a rare planetary configuration and offers new insights into planetary formation.
The two planets, named TOI-791 b and TOI-791 c, are notable for their size and density. TOI-791 b is nearly the same size as Jupiter but has only about 3 percent of its mass, earning it the nickname of a ‘cotton candy’ planet. Similarly, TOI-791 c exceeds Jupiter’s size but has just 5.9 percent of its mass. These planets were identified through analysis of 1,122 days of data collected by TESS over seven years, revealing their unusually long orbital periods and mutual gravitational influence.
Scientists used variations in the timing of the planets’ transits to determine their masses, a technique that relies on gravitational tugging. The planets’ low density and large size suggest they are composed mostly of lightweight gases, but detailed composition and atmospheric data are still pending. The discovery was led by a team from Oxford University, with NASA scientists emphasizing the rarity of such systems and the importance of further study to understand their formation and evolution.
Implications for Understanding Planet Formation
This discovery provides valuable insights into the diversity of planetary systems, especially the existence of extremely low-density, ‘puffy’ planets. Studying these worlds can improve understanding of how planets with such unusual compositions form and evolve, which may challenge existing models of planetary development. Additionally, the fact that both planets are in the same system and have long orbital periods makes them a unique case for examining planetary dynamics and atmospheric characteristics.
The Potential of Small Space Telescopes for Exoplanet Observations
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Background on ‘Cotton Candy’ Planets and TESS Discoveries
Since its launch in 2018, NASA’s TESS mission has been instrumental in identifying thousands of exoplanet candidates, with nearly 900 confirmed so far. TESS’s broad survey area, 400 times larger than the Kepler mission, has led to numerous notable discoveries, including planets with unusual sizes and densities. The recent identification of two ‘cotton candy’ planets in a single system adds to the growing catalog of diverse exoplanets and underscores the mission’s success in finding rare worlds.
These planets are part of a small subset of known super puffy planets, which are characterized by their large radii and low mass. Their long orbital periods and mutual gravitational interaction were key to determining their properties, with researchers noting that such configurations are exceedingly rare and valuable for understanding planetary system dynamics.
“The fact that both of these planets are in the same system and exhibit such extreme puffiness makes this a highly unusual and valuable discovery.”
— an anonymous researcher
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Remaining Questions About Composition and Formation
While the planets’ sizes, masses, and orbital characteristics are established, their detailed atmospheric composition and internal structure remain unknown. Researchers are still investigating how such low-density planets form and what their chemical makeup is. It is also unclear whether these planets have undergone significant atmospheric loss or other evolutionary processes.
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Upcoming Observations and Research Goals
Scientists plan to use additional telescopes and observational techniques to analyze the atmospheres of these planets, aiming to understand their chemical compositions and thermal properties. Further modeling will explore how such ‘cotton candy’ planets can maintain their structure and what this reveals about planetary formation theories. Continued monitoring may also reveal more about their orbital dynamics and potential for hosting atmospheres or moons.
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Key Questions
What makes these planets so unusual?
They are as large as Jupiter but have only a small fraction of its mass, making them extremely low-density, or ‘puffy,’ worlds. This combination is very rare among known exoplanets.
How were their masses determined?
Researchers analyzed variations in the timing of their transits caused by gravitational tugging between the two planets, allowing for estimation of their masses despite their low density.
What are scientists hoping to learn next?
They aim to study the planets’ atmospheres and internal structures to better understand how such worlds form and persist, challenging current models of planetary evolution.
Why is finding two such planets in one system significant?
It is a rare configuration that provides a unique opportunity to study planetary dynamics and formation processes in a single system, offering insights not easily obtained from isolated planets.
Source: Engadget
