Key facts
- Two 'super-puff' exoplanets, larger than Jupiter, have been discovered.
- These planets have a density lower than cotton candy, making them the lightest known of their size.
- The exoplanets orbit a star located 1,110 light-years away in the constellation Volans.
- Initial analysis suggests the planets are primarily composed of hydrogen and helium.
- NASA's TESS satellite detected the planets, and the Webb Space Telescope will conduct further analysis.
Astronomers have identified two 'super-puff' exoplanets, characterized by their exceptionally low density, orbiting a star approximately 1,110 light-years away. These newly discovered celestial bodies are larger than Jupiter but possess a density comparable to shaving foam, making them the lightest known planets of their size. The research, led by George Dransfield of the University of Oxford and published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, suggests these planets are likely composed predominantly of hydrogen and helium. Their unusual characteristics place them among a rare category of exoplanets, with fewer than 40 confirmed 'super-puffs' out of nearly 6,300 cataloged exoplanets. NASA's TESS satellite was instrumental in their detection, and further analysis using the Webb Space Telescope is anticipated to confirm their atmospheric composition. The study of such exotic planetary systems contributes to a broader understanding of planet formation and the cosmos.