- Astronomers have discovered an exoplanet larger than Jupiter but incredibly light, like cotton candy.
- The planet, named WASP-193b, has an unusually low density compared to gas giants like Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
- Lead author Khalid Barkaoui of MIT described the planet as “super fluffy” because it is composed primarily of light gas rather than solid matter.
Astronomers have identified a planet that is surprisingly fluffy and light, like cotton candy, despite being larger than Jupiter.
The exoplanet has an extremely low density for its size, an international team reported on Tuesday. The gas giant planets of our solar system, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, are much denser.
Lead author Khalid Barkawi of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology said in a statement that the planets are “essentially super fluffy” because they are made primarily of light gases rather than solids.
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Scientists say outliers like WASP-193b are ideal for studying the formation and evolution of unconventional planets.
This illustration provided by NASA depicts the planet WASP 193-b. Scientists reported on May 14, 2024 that the exoplanet’s density is as low as cotton candy for its size. (NASA via AP)
The planet was identified last year, but it took extra time and effort to determine its consistency based on observations from ground-based telescopes. Most of it is thought to be made up of hydrogen and helium, according to a study published in Nature Astronomy.
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The planet is approximately 1,200 light years away. One light year is her 5.8 trillion miles. Based on its dimensions and mass, it is the second lightest exoplanet ever discovered, according to the researchers.
