Astronomers Discover Unique Exoplanet with Eccentric Orbit and Temperature Extremes
- Astronomers have discovered a peculiar exoplanet characterized by its extremely elongated, hairpin orbit.
- This unique orbital pattern suggests that the exoplanet may be on a trajectory to transform into a 'hot Jupiter', a class of gas giant planets that orbit very close to their stars.
- The findings contribute to modern astronomy's understanding of planetary formation and evolution.
Astronomers have identified a remarkable exoplanet, TIC 241249530 b, which features an unusually elongated orbit and experiences significant temperature fluctuations. Located approximately 1,100 light-years from Earth, this exoplanet orbits a primary star in a binary system, raising questions about how such massive planets end up in tight orbits much closer to their stars than Mercury is to the Sun. Lead study author Arvind Gupta, a postdoctoral researcher at NOIRLab, expressed excitement over the discovery, noting that astronomers have sought exoplanets that may serve as precursors to hot Jupiters for over two decades. TIC 241249530 b boasts an eccentricity of 0.94, making it the most oblong transiting exoplanet ever recorded. The extreme nature of its orbit results in "enormous temperature swings" throughout its year, according to coauthor Jason Wright, a professor of astronomy and astrophysics at Penn State. The research team conducted simulations to explore the planet's unusual orbital evolution, suggesting that it likely formed far from its host star in a circular orbit akin to Jupiter's. However, gravitational interactions with the secondary star in the binary system have distorted its orbit over time. Co-author Millholland described this process as a "big dance of orbits" occurring over billions of years. The discovery of TIC 241249530 b, alongside the previously known HD 80606 b, supports the hypothesis that high-mass gas giants can transition into hot Jupiters as they migrate from eccentric to more circular orbits, prompting continued exploration for similar planets undergoing this transformation.