NASA's TESS space telescope has identified two 'super puffy' giant planets orbiting the same star system. Their density is comparable to cotton candy, making them among the fluffiest exoplanets ever detected. The discovery was announced by the agency earlier today.
These so-called 'cotton candy' planets challenge existing models of planetary formation and composition. Their ultra-low density suggests a composition dominated by light gases rather than rock or metal. This raises new questions about how such worlds can form and survive so close to their host star.
The two planets were found in a single system, an unusual configuration that provides a rare opportunity for comparative study. Both orbit their star at distances that classify them as 'hot Jupiters', though with far less mass and substance. Astronomers used TESS transit data to measure their size and infer their density.
The discovery could lead to revised theories of atmospheric escape and planetary migration. Future observations with the James Webb Space Telescope may reveal the chemical makeup of these worlds. This system offers a natural laboratory for understanding the limits of planetary puffiness.
The finding underscores how much remains unknown about the diversity of exoplanets. 'These are among the most extreme planets we've seen,' the research team noted, emphasizing the need for further study.