An international team of astronomers has announced the discovery of exoplanet WASP-193b, a gas giant located approximately 1,200 light years from Earth. The discovery, made through the SuperWASP project (Wide Angle Search for Planets), reveals a planet notable for its size and unique characteristics.

WASP-193b is about 1.5 times larger than Jupiter, the giant of our solar system, and orbits its host star at a very close distance, completing one revolution in just over 4 Earth days. This extreme proximity causes the planet to have a high surface temperature, estimated at around 1,200 degrees Celsius.

The discovery was made using the transit method, which detects exoplanets by observing periodic decreases in the brightness of their parent star as the planet passes in front of it. The most notable thing about this find is its unusually low density, making it a fascinating cosmic object. Despite its size, it has such a minimal density that it is more like cotton candy, just like the one we eat at fairs and that the little ones like so much.

Imagen generada por IA

WASP-193b joins the growing list of “hot Jupiters,” gas giant exoplanets that orbit very close to their stars. These planets are of particular interest to astronomers, as their extreme conditions offer unique opportunities to study atmospheric physics and planet formation.

The study of WASP-193b will continue with additional observations, including the use of space telescopes such as the James Webb, which could provide more detailed data on its atmospheric composition and structure. This phenomenon challenges conventional expectations about the formation and structure of planets, and provides a unique opportunity to better understand the diversity and complexity of worlds that exist beyond our solar system.