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TOI-3261 b: Unveiling Secrets of the Rare 'Hot Neptune'

Published November 29, 2024
2 months ago

In an exhilarating breakthrough, a global team of astronomers using NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) has identified an ultra-rare planet, TOI-3261 b. A Neptune-sized celestial body, it orbits remarkably close to its star, placing it in the so-called "hot Neptune desert." This label hints at a gripping celestial mystery: these planets are both uncommon and intriguing due to their proximity to their stars.





The hot Neptunes like TOI-3261 b are extreme, fascinating subjects for scientific study. Observations through both TESS and ground-based telescopes in Australia, Chile, and South Africa confirmed that TOI-3261 b completes one orbit in just 21 hours. This proximity leads to severe atmospheric erosion due to the star's gravitational pull and energy output, stripping away gases and possibly transforming these planets from giants, akin to Jupiter, into the much smaller Neptune-like planets we see today.


Researchers estimate TOI-3261 b and its star are about 6.5 billion years old. Initially much larger, the planet lost a significant portion of its mass through photoevaporation and tidal stripping, processes accelerated by its close proximity to its star. It could even be that TOI-3261 b originated further from its star and drifted inward, a theory supported by current models of planet migration and formation.


One of the most captivating aspects of TOI-3261 b is its retained atmosphere, dense enough to contain heavier components but stripped of lighter elements. By investigating these remains further, using tools like NASA’s upcoming James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers will look closer at the planet's atmospheric composition in infrared light. This could unlock not only the planet’s past but also offer insights into the physical processes affecting all closely orbiting giant planets.


The discovery also builds on the knowledge from the discovery of other similar planets, like LTT-9779 b and TOI-849 b since 2020. Together, these findings mark a significant advancement in our understanding of planetary systems and the survival of atmospheres under extreme conditions.


TOI-3261 b’s discovery not only adds to our map of the cosmos but also to our understanding of planetary formation and evolution. The forthcoming detailed investigations, especially with James Webb Space Telescope, promise to deepen our insights into these mysterious celestial bodies, potentially offering clues about their more common but equally fascinating counterparts throughout the galaxy.


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