Mystery 'Mega-Planet' 23 Times More Massive Than Earth Baffles Scientists
Summary
Scientists discovered a planet called GJ 523b that is about 2.5 times larger than Earth and 23 times heavier. Despite its size, the planet has very little atmosphere, which surprises researchers because such massive planets usually have thick gas layers.Key Facts
- GJ 523b is around 170 million years old.
- It is 2.5 times the size of Earth and about 60% the size of Neptune.
- The planet is mainly made of dense rock with a large core.
- It has much less atmosphere than expected for its mass.
- The planet was found using NASA’s TESS satellite, which looks for planets by measuring star brightness changes.
- Researchers used the WIYN telescope and James Webb Space Telescope to study the planet’s size, density, and atmosphere.
- Possible reasons for the thin atmosphere include extreme heat from being close to its star or a collision between two planets that stripped away gas.
- Scientists want to learn more about how rock and metal behave under high pressure and how atmospheres form on planets like GJ 523b.
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