Giant oddball planet has the density of fluffy cotton candy, study finds

Astronomers say they have uncovered an unusual planet that’s about 50% bigger than Jupiter and somehow still the second lightest planet ever found.

What is big, with a fluffy, cotton candy-like composition? Turns out, a planet. An international coalition of astronomers has newly discovered an unusual planet, dubbed WASP-193b, that’s about 50% bigger than Jupiter and somehow still the second lightest planet ever found. But WASP-193b, located beyond our solar system about 1,200 light-years from Earth, isn’t just a scientific oddity.

Because the exoplanet’s density is so light for its size, calculating its mass became a challenge. Usually, scientists determine mass using a technique called radial velocity, in which researchers analyze how a star’s spectrum, a graph that indicates the intensity of light emissions in wavelengths, shifts as a planet orbits it.

We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

cnnbrk /  🏆 393. in US

United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Americans Burn 50% Less Fossil Fuel in Their Homes Than They Did 50 Years AgoAmericans burn much less fossil fuel in their homes on average and use much more electricity compared to half a century ago.
Read more »

'50/50 Flip's Dedric and Krystal Polite Share Secrets of Success [Interview]Dedric and Krystal Polite of &39;50/50 Flip&39; 
Read more »

In 50-50 Georgia, unhappiness with the choices but urgency about votingRebel Teahouse is Christine Nguyen’s business. And her happy place.
Read more »

The 50 Best Bars in North America, According to the '50 Best' List (2024)This year, the coveted top spot went to Mexico's Handshake Speakeasy. Read on for the rest of the list.
Read more »

Scientists solve 50-year-old mystery of how the giant hole in Antarctic ice gets formedScientists found the missing puzzle piece in the 50-year-old mystery of the sea-ice opening, or polynya, in the Southern Ocean.
Read more »

Scientists Solved a 50-Year Mystery of What Punched The Giant Hole in Antarctic IceThe Best in Science News and Amazing Breakthroughs
Read more »