In the vastness of the cosmos, exoplanets stand as one of the most exciting and cutting-edge fields of study in contemporary astronomy. While the bitcoin price fluctuates in the financial market, the number of discovered exoplanets continues to increase, opening up a range of possibilities and questions to be resolved.
Although these two realms seem worlds apart, both symbolize an incessant search for knowledge and an inexhaustible fascination to discover the unknown. In this article we will delve into exoplanetary discoveries, one of the most precious treasures that the universe hides.
What are exoplanets?
Exoplanets, also known as extrasolar planets, are planets that orbit a star other than our Sun and are therefore not part of our solar system.
The first confirmation of an exoplanet orbiting a solar-type star occurred in 1995, although the search for and study of these planets dates back several decades.
Exoplanets can vary greatly in size, composition, and characteristics. Some are Jupiter-like gas giants, while others are more Earth-like. Some are even in their star’s “habitable zone,” the region where conditions might be just right to allow liquid water to exist on the planet’s surface, potentially making life as we know it possible.
Featured exoplanetary discoveries
TOI-1231 b: A world of water
First, we have TOI-1231 b, an exoplanet about the size of Neptune that could harbor water clouds in its atmosphere. Located only 90 light-years from Earth, this planet is about 3.5 times larger than our planet and may have a thick atmosphere of water vapor.
TOI-2109b: A hot Jupiter with the record for the shortest orbit
Next on our list is TOI-2109b, a “hot Jupiter” with the shortest known orbit, completing it in just 16 hours. This gigantic exoplanet, with a mass five times that of Jupiter, is also the second hottest exoplanet ever discovered, with a temperature close to 3,300 degrees Celsius.
A possible planet in Alpha Centauri A
Another notable discovery is the possible existence of a Neptune-sized exoplanet orbiting Alpha Centauri A, a star similar to our Sun in the closest star system to us.
This discovery is particularly exciting as Alpha Centauri A is just over 4 light-years from Earth.
GOT ‘EM-1b: A gas giant with an exceptionally long orbit
Another cosmic marvel is GOT ‘EM-1b, a gas giant with an exceptionally long orbit of 218 days. This exoplanet, also known as Kepler-1514b, is a rarity among “hot Jupiters,” with an orbit it shares with only a few dozen known exoplanets.
TOI-561b: One of the oldest rocky exoplanets
Finally, we have TOI-561b, one of the oldest known rocky exoplanets, with an estimated age of 10 billion years. This planet, with a surface temperature of more than 1,726 degrees Celsius, is a testament to the fact that the universe has been forming rocky planets almost since its inception.
What does the future hold?
Each new exoplanet we discover opens the doors to endless possibilities in the cosmic vastness. Could one of these worlds support life? What are the living conditions like in these remote corners of the universe?
The constantly evolving modern era propels our understanding of exoplanets in a symbiotic dance in which technological development feeds astronomical discoveries and vice versa.
The future, in its infinite mystery, is tinged with the promise of unexplored wonders and enigmas to be deciphered. As we continue to chart our course through the cosmos, exciting revelations and breakthroughs await us that will continue to expand our knowledge about exoplanets and, more broadly, the universe around us.