In a groundbreaking revelation, scientists have stumbled upon an exoplanet named “Phoenix” that defies conventional understanding. Unlike other planets, Phoenix, which is roughly the size of Neptune, has the remarkable ability to retain its atmosphere by puffing itself up.
The discovery of Phoenix was spearheaded by a team of researchers led by Johns Hopkins University. Exoplanets, or extrasolar planets, are celestial bodies that exist outside our own Solar System. Astonishingly, there are currently over 5,630 known exoplanets inhabiting various systems, challenging our preconceived notions of the cosmos.
Within this vast exoplanetary landscape, puff planets like Phoenix are an exceedingly rare phenomenon, accounting for a mere 1% of all known planets within our galaxy. These super-puff planets boast a mass only a few times larger than Earth, yet possess a radius larger than that of Neptune, resulting in an incredibly low mean density.
The remarkable discovery of Phoenix was made possible through the meticulous analysis of data provided by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) and the High Resolution Echelle Spectrometer (HIRES) located at the Keck Observatory. With both the satellite and observatory data in hand, scientists determined that Phoenix is a mere 0.55 times the size of Jupiter, but a mere 0.06 times as massive. This enigmatic planet orbits a red giant star, completing its orbit in a staggering 4.2 days, a period approximately six times closer to its star than the distance between Mercury and the Sun.
Analysing the characteristics of the star and Planet Phoenix, including its unusually low density, led the researchers to conclude that the planet’s gaseous envelopes should have been stripped away billions of years ago. This mystery piques the curiosity of scientists worldwide: how has Phoenix managed to hold onto its atmosphere despite its proximity to a massive host star?
The astrophysicists involved in the study shared their astonishment at this perplexing find. Sam Grunblatt, an astrophysicist with JHU, remarked, “This planet isn’t evolving the way we thought it would. 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 profound implications of this discovery extend far beyond Phoenix itself. These findings challenge the long-held assumptions about the evolution of Earth’s atmosphere. Instead of being eroded by our Sun’s intense energy, it is now believed that our atmosphere might expand and become incredibly “puffy.” Thus, this newly unraveled mystery of Phoenix sheds new light on the potential fate of our own planet’s atmosphere.
FAQ Section:
1. What is Phoenix?
Phoenix is an exoplanet, or extrasolar planet, that has been discovered by scientists. It is roughly the size of Neptune and has the remarkable ability to retain its atmosphere by puffing itself up.
2. How was the discovery of Phoenix made?
The discovery of Phoenix was made possible through the meticulous analysis of data provided by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) and the High Resolution Echelle Spectrometer (HIRES) located at the Keck Observatory.
3. What makes Phoenix unique among exoplanets?
Phoenix belongs to a rare category of exoplanets known as “puff planets.” These super-puff planets have a mass only a few times larger than Earth but possess a radius larger than that of Neptune, resulting in an incredibly low mean density.
4. How many known exoplanets are there?
Currently, there are over 5,630 known exoplanets inhabiting various systems.
5. What is the significance of Phoenix’s discovery?
The discovery of Phoenix challenges the long-held assumptions about the evolution of Earth’s atmosphere. Instead of being eroded by the Sun’s intense energy, it is now believed that our atmosphere might expand and become incredibly “puffy.”
Definitions:
– Exoplanets: Celestial bodies that exist outside our own Solar System.
– Extrasolar planets: Another term for exoplanets.
– Mean density: The average density of a celestial body, calculated by dividing its mass by its volume.
Suggested Related Links:
– NASA Exoplanet Exploration
– Keck Observatory
– NASA Earth Observatory
The source of the article is from the blog lokale-komercyjne.pl