All articles tagged with #neptune sized
Astronomers using NASA's TESS have discovered two Neptune-sized exoplanets orbiting a bright star called TOI-5126. The planets, designated TOI-5126 b and TOI-5126 c, are similar in size to Neptune and have orbital periods of 5.46 and 17.9 days, respectively. Further investigation of this planetary system could provide insights into the atmospheric composition differences between a hot super-Neptune and a warm Neptune.
Using NASA's TESS, astronomers have discovered a dense Neptune-sized exoplanet called TOI-332 b. It has a radius of 3.2 Earth radii and a mass of 57.2 Earth masses, making it one of the densest Neptune-sized planets known. TOI-332 b orbits its host star every 18.65 hours at a distance of 0.016 AU. It belongs to the "Neptunian desert," a region where such planets are rarely found. The planet's interior structure is likely dominated by refractory materials, challenging current theories of planet formation.
Astronomers have discovered the most reflective exoplanet outside of our Solar System, named LTT9779b. This Neptune-sized planet reflects 80% of the light from its host star, making it as shiny as Venus. Despite its scorching temperatures, LTT9779b has managed to form metallic clouds that act as a mirror, preventing its atmosphere from being blown away. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the survival of Neptune-sized planets in the "Neptune desert" region. The observations were made by the Cheops space telescope.