New data has revealed that TOI-1075 b is one of the most massive super-Earths discovered so far. The planet, about 10 times the mass of Earth, orbits a small, red-orange star located 200 light-years away. This star’s orbit has an incredibly quick speed, taking only 14 ½ hours to make a full cycle. As a result, the planet experiences extremely high temperatures, reaching up to 1,922 degrees Fahrenheit (1,050 Celsius). The data indicates that this massive super-Earth is one of the most extreme exoplanets ever discovered.
Planets in the super-Earth category, which are up to twice as large as our own, remain shrouded in mystery due to the fact that we have nothing like them in our Solar System. Despite this, they are among the most common in our galaxy and appear to be rocky planets like Earth. Furthermore, some of these super-Earths have been located in the habitable zone of their stars, a distance from the star that could potentially allow liquid water to form on its surface. Therefore, it is possible that we may someday find planets in this category that can support life.
TOI-1075 b is a particularly interesting exoplanet as its surface potentially consists of molten lava, giving scientists a unique opportunity to examine the formation of rocky planets like Earth. Computer models suggest that planets this size would typically have a thick atmosphere of hydrogen and helium, but due to the planet’s dense composition and close orbit, this is unlikely. As such, studying the exoplanet and its environment could provide valuable insight into the evolution of other planets in the galaxy.
TOI-1075 b is one of the few planets with precise measurements of size and mass, making it a ‘keystone planet’. This allows scientists to fine-tune their models of planet formation and make more accurate predictions about the atmospheres of super-Earths and other planet types. Knowing this information can help astronomers to understand the various formation processes of planets and identify how each one has its own unique characteristics. The data from TOI-1075 b also serves as a benchmark for other observations, helping to determine whether or not a planet has an atmosphere at all.
Astronomers were stunned to discover a planet, referred to as TOI-1075 b, using the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). The diameter of the planet was revealed by the initial discovery, and subsequent follow-up observations with ground-based instruments enabled astronomers to determine the planet’s mass. This discovery that TOI-1075 b is nearly 10 times more massive than Earth has earned it the nickname of “The Hulk,” for its greater gravitational pull. Those who stand on its surface will gain significant weight due to its higher gravity, with their weight increasing to three times that of Earth’s gravity. This recent discovery of a planet much more massive than Earth is a remarkable finding that allows astronomers to further explore the outer universe and gain insight into the formation and evolution of planets.
The discovery of TOI-1075 b’s hefty mass was announced by an international science team led by Zahra Essack of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This remarkable find was added earlier to NASA’s Exoplanet Archive, a database recording planets located outside our solar system. The results of the study showed that TOI-1075 b is a super-Earth with a mass greater than Earth’s, but still smaller than Neptune. This is an exciting discovery as it is the first time a planet outside of our solar system has been found with a mass comparable to Earth’s. The international team plans to further investigate TOI-1075 b in order to gain more detailed information about its composition and atmosphere, as well as its origin and evolution.
