New Planets Discovered in 2023: Exploring the Exoplanetary Frontier
The year 2023 has been a groundbreaking one for astronomers and space enthusiasts alike, as several remarkable exoplanets have been discovered, expanding our understanding of the cosmos. These newfound celestial bodies range from scorching hot gas giants to potentially habitable worlds. In this blog post, we'll delve into some of the most intriguing exoplanets that graced the headlines in 2023.
TOI-4342 b and TOI-4342 c
Located approximately 200.73 light-years away, TOI-4342 b and TOI-4342 c have caught the attention of astronomers due to their unique characteristics. TOI-4342 b is a mini-Neptune with a mass of about 0.16 Jupiter masses and a radius of 0.202 Jupiter radii. It orbits its host star in just over 5 days, making it a scorching hot world with a surface temperature of 633.6 Kelvin.
On the other hand, TOI-4342 c is another mini-Neptune in the same system. It's slightly smaller than its sibling, with a mass of 0.145 Jupiter masses and a radius of 0.215 Jupiter radii. TOI-4342 c has a longer orbital period of approximately 10.7 days and orbits farther from the host star, with a semi-major axis of 0.0814 astronomical units (AU). These planets were discovered using the transit method.
- Mass (MJ): 0.16±0.16 and 0.145±0.145
- Radius (RJ): 0.202±0.003 and 0.215±0.004
- Period (days): 5.5382498+0.0000057 and 10.688716±0.000015
- Semi-major axis (AU): 0.05251±0.00011 and 0.08140±0.00017
- Temp. (K): 633.6+6.2 and 508.9±5.0
- Discovery method: Transit
- Distance (ly): 200.73
- Host star mass (M☉): 0.6296±0.0086
- Host star temp. (K): 3901±69
- Remarks: These exoplanets orbit TOI-4342 and are known for their relatively small masses and proximity to their host star.
Wolf 1069 b
Wolf 1069 b, residing just 31.228 light-years away, has piqued the curiosity of scientists for a different reason. This exoplanet, with a mass of approximately 0.0039 Jupiter masses, is within the habitable zone of its star. It orbits at a distance of 0.0672 AU, where conditions might be suitable for liquid water to exist, a crucial ingredient for life as we know it. Further observations will undoubtedly focus on this potentially habitable exoplanet.
- Mass (MJ): 0.003963425±0.0006605
- Period (days): 15.564±0.015
- Semi-major axis (AU): 0.0672±0.0014
- Temp. (K): 250.0±6.6
- Discovery method: Radial velocity
- Distance (ly): 31.228
- Host star mass (M☉): 0.167±0.011
- Host star temp. (K): 3158±54
- Remarks: Wolf 1069 b is a planet in the habitable zone, making it a potential candidate for further study regarding its potential for life.
TOI-700 e
TOI-700 e is another noteworthy discovery, situated 101.52 light-years away. This exoplanet is a bit smaller, with a radius of 0.085 times that of Jupiter. It orbits its host star in around 27.8 days at a distance of 0.134 AU. This places TOI-700 e within the habitable zone of its star, where temperatures might be right for liquid water. The tantalizing possibility of habitability makes this exoplanet a target for future exploration.
- Radius (RJ): 0.08502+0.00794
- Period (days): 27.80978+0.00046
- Semi-major axis (AU): 0.134±0.0022
- Discovery method: Transit
- Distance (ly): 101.52
- Host star mass (M☉): 0.416±0.01
- Host star temp. (K): 3480±135
- Remarks: TOI-700 e is another exoplanet residing in the habitable zone, which is a key factor in assessing its potential habitability.
LHS 475 b
LHS 475 b is a relatively small exoplanet with a mass of about 0.0029 Jupiter masses and a radius of 0.0883 Jupiter radii. It whizzes around its host star with an orbital period of just over 2 days, at a close distance of 0.0206 AU. With a scorching surface temperature of 586 Kelvin, this transit-discovered exoplanet is a scorching inferno.
- Mass (MJ): 0.002876±0.000588
- Radius (RJ): 0.0883±0.0045
- Period (days): 2.029088±0.000006
- Semi-major axis (AU): 0.0206
- Temp. (K): 586.0
- Discovery method: Transit
- Distance (ly): 40.704
- Host star mass (M☉): 0.262
- Host star temp. (K): 3312.0
- Remarks: Also known as TOI-910, LHS 475 b is a fascinating exoplanet, notable for its proximity to its host star.
GJ 1151 c
GJ 1151 c, a radial velocity-discovered exoplanet, boasts a mass of 0.0334 Jupiter masses and orbits its host star at an average distance of 0.5714 AU. Despite its proximity to the star, this exoplanet has sparked interest due to its unique history. It was previously suspected to be on a 2-day orbit but was later refuted in 2021. The precise nature of its orbit continues to intrigue astronomers.
- Mass (MJ): 0.03341+0.00412
- Period (days): 389.7+5.4
- Semi-major axis (AU): 0.5714+0.0053
- Discovery method: Radial velocity
- Distance (ly): 26.23±0.01
- Host star mass (M☉): 0.1639±0.0093
- Host star temp. (K): 3143±26
- Remarks: GJ 1151 c had a suspected planet on a 2-day orbit in 2021 but was refuted. This exoplanet adds to the growing list of fascinating radial velocity-detected exoplanets.
Gliese 806 b and Gliese 806 c
Gliese 806 b is a small exoplanet with a mass of 0.006 Jupiter masses and a radius of 0.11874 Jupiter radii. It orbits its host star in less than a day, at an incredibly close distance of 0.0523 AU. Gliese 806 c, its companion, is larger, with a mass of 0.0182 Jupiter masses. These transit and radial velocity-discovered exoplanets are part of the Gliese 806 system, also known as TOI-4481.
- Gliese 806 b Mass (MJ): 0.006±0.0001
- Gliese 806 b Radius (RJ): 0.11874±0.00046
- Gliese 806 b Period (days): 0.353955±0.000021
- Gliese 806 b Semi-major axis (AU): 0.0523±0.0002
- Gliese 806 b Temp. (K): 1250±50
- Gliese 806 c Mass (MJ): 0.0182±0.0004
- Gliese 806 c Radius (RJ): Not specified
- Gliese 806 c Period (days): Not specified
- Gliese 806 c Semi-major axis (AU): Not specified
- Gliese 806 c Temp. (K): Not specified
- Discovery method: Transit and radial velocity
- Distance (ly): 117.21
- Host star mass (M☉): 0.361±0.018
- Host star temp. (K): 3301±76
- Remarks: Gliese 806 b is a hot Jupiter, while Gliese 806 c is yet to have its detailed characteristics fully revealed.
KMT-2022-BLG-0440L b
KMT-2022-BLG-0440L b is a microlensing-discovered exoplanet with a mass of 0.0485 Jupiter masses. It orbits at a distance of 1.9 AU from its host star. This exoplanet's discovery method, microlensing, involves using the gravitational lensing effect of a foreground star to detect more distant planets. The dynamics of this system continue to be studied.
- Mass (MJ): 0.0485±0.0022
- Period (days): Not specified
- Semi-major axis (AU): 1.9±0.1
- Temp. (K): Not specified
- Discovery method: Microlensing
- Distance (ly): Not specified
- Host star mass (M☉): Not specified
- Host star temp. (K): Not specified
- Remarks: KMT-2022-BLG-0440L b was discovered using the microlensing technique, making it an exciting addition to the exoplanetary family.
TOI-139 b
TOI-139 b is a fascinating exoplanet with a mass of 0.0208 Jupiter masses and a radius of approximately 0.219 Jupiter radii. It orbits its host star every 11 days at a distance of 0.56117 AU.
- Mass (MJ): 0.0208±0.0003
- Radius (RJ): 0.21868±0.00062
- Period (days): 10.934±0.007
- Semi-major axis (AU): 0.56117±0.00015
- Temp. (K): 561.5±6.3
- Discovery method: Transit
- Distance (ly): 224.73
- Host star mass (M☉): 0.7887±0.0078
- Host star temp. (K): 4800±150
- Remarks: TOI-139 b is another transit-discovered exoplanet, known for its relatively small mass and intriguing properties.
These newly discovered exoplanets have added to the growing list of celestial wonders that continue to captivate astronomers and space enthusiasts alike. They represent the diversity of worlds beyond our solar system and inspire us to keep exploring the exoplanetary frontier, seeking answers to some of the most profound questions about the universe and the potential for extraterrestrial life. As technology advances and our understanding deepens, we can expect even more exciting exoplanet discoveries in the years to come, further expanding our cosmic horizons.