A recently discovered exoplanet nicknamed Phoenix has captured the attention of astronomers worldwide. Dubbed a “hot Neptune,” this planet has defied scientific predictions by retaining its puffy atmosphere despite orbiting dangerously close to its red giant parent star. The surprising discovery was made by a team of scientists from Johns Hopkins University, using data from NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) and the W.M. Keck Observatory in Hawaii.
Phoenix, officially known as TIC365102760 b, is the smallest and least dense exoplanet ever found orbiting a red giant star, located a staggering 1,840 light-years away from Earth. With a size 6.2 times larger than Earth, it completes one orbit around its star every 4.2 days, which is about six times closer than Mercury is to the Sun. This proximity exposes Phoenix to intense radiation, leading astronomers to believe that the planet would not sustain an atmosphere.
However, new findings have shattered these assumptions. Phoenix possesses a surprisingly substantial and less dense atmosphere than anticipated for exoplanets of its kind. Sam Grunblatt, an astrophysicist leading the research, expresses bewilderment at how the exoplanet has retained its atmosphere despite the hostile conditions. Grunblatt explains, “It appears to have a much bigger, less dense atmosphere than we expected for these systems. How it held on to that atmosphere despite being so close to such a large host star is the big question.”
The scientific community now confronts the challenge of understanding why Phoenix stands out among other hot Neptunes. Not only does Phoenix’s atmosphere endure in a more hostile environment, but it also has the lowest mass of any planet orbiting a red giant discovered so far. Grunblatt remarks, “We don’t know why it still has an atmosphere when other ‘hot Neptunes’ that are much smaller and much denser seem to be losing their atmospheres in much less extreme environments.”
Despite the intriguing nature of Phoenix, its lifespan is projected to be relatively short. In approximately 100 million years, the exoplanet will spiral into its red giant host and meet its end. This limited timespan makes Phoenix a crucial object of study for astronomers seeking to gain insights into the later stages of planetary evolution. These findings may also prompt scientists to question Earth’s atmospheric evolution as our own sun undergoes the transformation into a red giant billions of years from now. Grunblatt concludes, “This is telling us that maybe Earth’s atmosphere won’t evolve exactly how we thought it would.”
FAQ:
1. What is the name of the recently discovered exoplanet that has captured the attention of astronomers?
The recently discovered exoplanet is nicknamed Phoenix.
2. What is unique about Phoenix in terms of its atmosphere?
Despite orbiting dangerously close to its red giant parent star, Phoenix has retained a surprisingly substantial and less dense atmosphere than anticipated for exoplanets of its kind.
3. What is the official name of Phoenix?
The official name of Phoenix is TIC365102760 b.
4. How far away is Phoenix from Earth?
Phoenix is located a staggering 1,840 light-years away from Earth.
5. How does Phoenix’s size compare to Earth?
Phoenix is 6.2 times larger than Earth.
6. How long does it take Phoenix to complete one orbit around its star?
Phoenix completes one orbit around its star every 4.2 days.
7. What is notable about Phoenix’s distance from its star?
Phoenix is about six times closer to its star than Mercury is to the Sun.
8. Why is Phoenix exposed to intense radiation?
Phoenix is exposed to intense radiation due to its close proximity to its parent star.
9. Why is Phoenix an object of study for astronomers?
Phoenix’s limited lifespan of approximately 100 million years before spiraling into its red giant host makes it an important object of study for astronomers, providing insights into the later stages of planetary evolution.
10. How may the findings about Phoenix impact our understanding of Earth’s atmospheric evolution?
The findings about Phoenix may prompt scientists to question Earth’s atmospheric evolution as our own sun undergoes the transformation into a red giant billions of years from now.
Definitions:
– Exoplanet: A planet that orbits a star outside of our solar system.
– Red giant: A large, dying star in the later stages of its stellar evolution.
– Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS): A NASA mission designed to search for exoplanets using the transit method.
– W.M. Keck Observatory: An astronomical observatory located in Hawaii that is used for scientific research.
Related links:
NASA
Johns Hopkins University