CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. In a remarkable astronomical discovery, scientists have identified a planet larger than Jupiter yet astonishingly light and fluffy, akin to cotton candy.
An international team of astronomers reported Tuesday that the exoplanet, named WASP-193b, has an exceedingly low density relative to its size. This stands in stark contrast to the gas giants within our solar system — Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune — which are significantly denser.
“The planet is basically super fluffy,” said lead author Khalid Barkaoui of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in a statement. “It’s made mostly of light gases rather than solids.”
WASP-193b, confirmed last year, presents a unique opportunity for studying unconventional planetary formation and evolution. Determining its consistency required extensive observation with ground-based telescopes. According to the study published in Nature Astronomy, the planet is believed to be composed primarily of hydrogen and helium.
Located approximately 1,200 light-years away, WASP-193b is the second-lightest exoplanet discovered to date, considering its dimensions and mass. For reference, one light-year equals 5.8 trillion miles.
This discovery highlights the diversity of planetary systems and offers valuable insights into the complexities of planetary science.
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AMA ACLC San Pablo
