Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery of a massive exoplanet dubbed WASP-193b, located approximately 1,200 light years away from Earth. This unique planet, which is 50% larger than Jupiter, has a density comparable to that of cotton candy, making it an anomaly among the over 5,000 exoplanets identified so far.
Despite its large size, WASP-193b is seven times less massive than Jupiter due to its incredibly low density. The planet orbits a star similar to our Sun every 6.25 days and is believed to be predominantly composed of hydrogen and helium, resulting in a significantly inflated atmosphere.
Scientists are baffled by the formation of this “cosmic mystery” and are eager to unravel its secrets by studying its atmospheric properties using the James Webb Space Telescope. WASP-193b is part of a unique class of exoplanets known as “Super-Puffs” for their fluffy, cotton candy-like density, with no similar planets found in our solar system.
This discovery comes on the heels of the finding of another puffy exoplanet, WASP-107b, in 2019, which is roughly the same size as Jupiter but only one-tenth of its mass. Researchers are excited about the potential insights that could be gained from studying these enigmatic worlds and how they could broaden our understanding of planetary formation and evolution. Stay tuned for more updates on this fascinating cosmic phenomenon.
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