Astronomers identify large exoplanets with low density
Scientists have identified two massive exoplanets orbiting a star approximately 1,110 light-years from Earth. These "super-puffs" are the largest known exoplanets to possess a density lower than cotton candy.
Amalgamated from CBS News (opens in new tab), NY Post (opens in new tab), Phys.org (opens in new tab), The Independent (opens in new tab)
Astronomers have identified a pair of large exoplanets orbiting a star located 1,110 light-years away. The two worlds are categorized as "super-puffs," a term used to describe celestial bodies that are physically massive but possess very low density.
According to reports from CBS News and the New York Post, these bodies are currently the largest exoplanets discovered with a density lower than cotton candy. This characteristic makes them distinct among known objects in the study of planetary composition and atmospheric structure.
The discovery provides data on the diversity of gas-rich planets in distant systems. While specific details regarding their chemical makeup or orbital paths were not provided in initial reports, their size relative to their mass distinguishes them from more typical terrestrial or gaseous worlds. The finding contributes to the ongoing cataloging of varying planetary types across the galaxy.