Astronomers have discovered a new superhot exoplanet
An international group of astronomers announced the discovery of a new planet outside the solar system. It is an incandescent gas giant that is twice the size of Jupiter, arXiv.org reports.
Planets of this type, known as “hot Jupiters”, orbit very close to their stars. Therefore, the temperature on their surface is very high.
The newly discovered planet revolves around the bright star TOI-1518. Calculations have shown that it has a radius of about 1.875 that of Jupiter, while its mass does not exceed 2.3 times that of Jupiter.
Planet TOI-1518b makes a complete revolution around its star in 1.9 Earth days and is located at a distance of 0.04 astronomical units from it (there is one astronomical unit between the Sun and the Earth).
The temperature on the “daytime” side of the planet reaches 3237 K (almost 3000 degrees Celsius), and the average temperature is 2492 K (2218.85 degrees Celsius). TOI-1518b has a highly displaced orbit of about 240.34 degrees. Scientists note that this is typical for hot gas planets. In addition, iron was found in its atmosphere. Astronomers plan to continue research to better understand the planet's unusual properties.
Previously, scientists concluded that life could arise in the aquatic worlds. These are planets almost completely covered by oceans.
