A recent discovery of a unique exoplanet continues to challenge our understanding of solar system dynamics as a recent study published in The Astronomical Journal discusses the discovery and characterization of a Jupiter-sized exoplanet orbiting in an eccentric (non-circular) orbit that experiences a wide range of temperatures. This study has the potential to help scientists better understand the formation and evolution of exoplanets and how they vary from our own solar system.
The newly discovered exoplanet, TOI-2005 b, is located approximately 329 parsecs (1,073 light-years) from Earth with a planetary mass and radii of approximately 6.4 and 1.1 Jupiters, respectively. While TOI-2005 b completes one orbit of its host star in 17.3 days, what makes TOI-2005 b unique is its orbital shape, as it is measured to have an eccentricity of 0.597, meaning it’s oval-shaped. For context, the Earth’s eccentricity is approximately 0.0167, or almost a perfect circle.
This means at certain times during its orbit, TOI-2005 b is closer to its star, while at other times it’s farther from its star. While the researchers estimate its average surface temperature is 2100 Kelvin (1,827 degrees Celsius/3,320 degrees Fahrenheit), they estimate its temperature changes as much as 1000 Kelvin (727 degrees Celsius/1,340 degrees Fahrenheit).
With its non-circular orbit, TOI-2005 b continues to challenge our understanding of exoplanet and exoplanetary system formation and evolution, given the planets within our solar system have mostly circular orbits with Mercury having the largest eccentricity at 0.21. Going forward, the researchers note how TOI-2005 b could help develop more accurate exoplanetary global circulation models given the eccentric orbit of TOI-2005 b results in vast temperature swings.
What new insights about TOI-2005 b will scientists make in the coming years and decades? Only time will tell, and this is why we science!
As always, keep doing science & keep looking up!
Sources: The Astronomical Journal
Artist's illustration of a Hot Jupiter. (Credit: ESO/M. Kornmesser)
