An amazing discovery was made by Indian scientists when they found TOI-6038A b, a gigantic exoplanet that is 78 times the size of Earth. This revelation has shockwaved the scientific community, challenging conventional wisdom on planetary creation and evolution. Rarely found outside of our Solar System, this massive planet revolves around an F-type star that is hotter and brighter than our Sun. It only takes 5.83 days to complete its orbit.
A Game-Changer in Exoplanet Exploration
The discovery was made by researchers at the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad, using the advanced PARAS-2 spectrograph mounted on a 2.5-meter telescope at the Mount Abu Observatory. This marks India’s fifth exoplanet discovery, cementing the country’s growing expertise in space exploration. Scientists observed the planet by detecting its gravitational effect on its host star, a technique that has proven instrumental in finding distant worlds.
TOI-6038A b is part of a fascinating binary system, as its host star has a companion, TOI-6038B, located 3,217 AU away. This system provides a rare opportunity to study planet migration theories and deepen our understanding of planetary structures. Researchers believe this planet has a rocky core making up nearly 75% of its total mass, suggesting it could hold valuable clues about planetary composition.
India’s advancements in space exploration continue to garner global recognition, and this latest discovery is yet another milestone. The findings, published in the Astronomical Journal, have sparked curiosity among scientists worldwide. As research progresses, TOI-6038A b may provide vital insights into how such massive exoplanets form and evolve in binary star systems. The journey to unravel its mysteries has only just begun.
