Scientists discover unusual super-Earth 154 light years away

Scientists have discovered a unique super-Earth with extreme conditions orbiting a distant star.

Discovery of unusual super-Earth over 145 light years

Scientists have identified a new super-Earth, named TOI-1846 b, located 154 light years away. This planet is nearly two times larger and four times heavier than Earth and completes an orbit around its star every four days. Its unusual characteristics include one side with oceans and another scorched by extreme heat, reaching temperatures of about 295°C. Researchers found this planet using NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, which captured flickering light as the planet passed in front of its red dwarf star. This star type is notable for being cooler and more common in the universe, facilitating the discovery of nearby planets.

The discovery of TOI-1846 b highlights both the diversity of planetary systems and the challenges in studying such extreme environments. The existence of a super-Earth with oceans suggests there may be more planets that could support life in the right conditions. However, scientists caution that the extreme heat makes the prospect of life on TOI-1846 b very slim. This finding encourages further exploration of red dwarf stars, as they may host planets with more favorable conditions for life. With advances in technology, our understanding of distant worlds continues to improve, possibly reshaping our perspectives on habitability in the cosmos.

Highlights

As exploration continues, the potential for finding other habitable worlds remains bright.