Saturn-sized exoplanet unveiled by astronomers

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The discovery of a new exoplanet, TOI-1135 b, orbiting a young, solar-type star marks another milestone in the ongoing search for alien worlds.

This intriguing new planet, identified by an international team of astronomers using data from NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), adds to the growing list of exoplanets that expand our understanding of the universe’s complexity.

TOI-1135 b is classified as a young, hot gas giant, with a size comparable to Saturn but significantly less mass. Its relatively low density suggests an inflated atmosphere, likely a result of the intense radiation it receives from its host star.

This proximity to the star, combined with the planet’s orbital period of just over 8 days, subjects TOI-1135 b to conditions that are leading to the gradual loss of its atmosphere through a process known as photoevaporation.

The astronomers estimate that TOI-1135 b is shedding approximately 39 Earth masses worth of atmospheric material every billion years, indicating that it may eventually lose most of its gaseous envelope.

The host star, TOI-1135, shares some characteristics with our Sun but is younger, slightly larger, and more luminous. Its estimated age ranges from 125 million to 1 billion years, making the system a valuable laboratory for studying planetary evolution and atmospheric dynamics in young solar systems.

The ongoing TESS mission continues to play a crucial role in exoplanet discovery, aiming to catalog thousands of new worlds orbiting the brightest stars in our celestial neighborhood.

Each new planet found offers a unique opportunity to probe the diversity of planetary systems and to refine our models of planetary formation and evolution.

Discoveries like TOI-1135 b underscore the importance of space-based observatories and the power of collaborative international research.

They not only broaden our cosmic horizons but also bring us closer to answering fundamental questions about our place in the universe and the potential for life beyond Earth.

The research findings can be found in arXiv.

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