Top 12 Surprising Exoplanet Discoveries of 2023: New Worlds that Defy Astronomy

SPACE — This year, planetary scientists added a number of unusual new worlds to their 5,000+ exoplanet catalogue. Among them are mysterious planets that violate astronomy.

Here are 12 discoveries of exoplanet discoveries that will surprise the world of astronomy throughout 2023:

1. Discovery of the Heavy Elements Carbon and Oxygen in the Atmosphere of the Gas Planet Smertrios

The James Webb Space Telescope discovered that the exoplanet Smertrios has an unexpected atmosphere. Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech)

In early 2023, James Webb Space Telescope observations confirmed the presence of heavy elements; carbon and oxygen in the atmosphere of the distant exoplanet HD149026b. The planet is better known as Smertrios.

Also Read: 10 Earth’s Twin Planets Found, Here’s What They Look Like

The discovery surprised astronomers, because the gas giants of our solar system, such as Jupiter and Saturn, only hold hydrogen and helium in their atmospheres. The general rule is, the larger the planet, the fewer heavy elements in its atmosphere. The discovery turned that idea on its head.

2. Planet with the Longest Orbit and Cold Temperature

Illustration of two planets and a star in the TOI-4600 system. Image: Tedi Vick

NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) has added around 2,000 planets to its list of exoplanets. Most of these exoplanets orbit very close to their native stars. However, a planet called TOI-4600c orbits its star every 482.82 days or 16 months.

This makes TOI-4600c the planet with the longest year of any planet discovered by TESS. The surface temperature of the gas giant planet also reached -78 degrees Celsius.

3. New Solar System with an Almost Perfect System of 6 Planets

Located just 100 light years from our solar system, scientists spotted a planetary system in which six planets orbit very close to their parent star. Due to their proximity, the six planets can even be within the distance between Mercury and our sun.

2023-12-24 22:46:00
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