Scientists Uncover Massive Exoplanet Resembling Cotton Candy, Surpassing Jupiter in Size
For its size, the exoplanet has an incredibly low density, according to a global team's research released on Tuesday. Our solar system's gas giants, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, are far denser. The planet is 1,200 light-years away from us. It is 5.8 trillion miles to one light-year.
A planet as massive as Jupiter that is surprisingly as light
and fluffy as cotton candy has been discovered by astronomers.
For its size, the exoplanet has an incredibly low density, according to a
global team's research released on Tuesday. Our solar system's gas giants,
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, are far denser.
Lead author Khalid Barkaoui of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology said in a statement that "the planet is basically super fluffy" since it is primarily composed of light gases rather than solids.
According to scientists, an outlier such as WASP-193b is perfect for researching the genesis and evolution of unusual planets. Although the planet was verified last year, it required more time and effort to ascertain its consistency using data from ground-based telescope surveys. Based on the study that was published in Nature Astronomy, it is believed to be primarily composed of hydrogen and helium.
The planet is 1,200 light-years away from us. It is 5.8
trillion miles to one light-year. The researchers claim that, taking into
account its size and mass, it is the second-lightest exoplanet discovered to
date.