A group of scientists recently discovered a new planet. The planet is of the size of Jupiter. The new planet is 379 light years away from the earth. It is 105 times denser than the earth. The planet is named TOI-2180 b.

About the planet

It takes 261 days for the planet to orbit its star. Its surface temperature is 76 degrees Celsius. It is not only denser than the earth, but also denser than the Jupiter.  The planet is made of helium and hydrogen. The planet has rings and moons. It dims by half a percent in 24 hour period.

Gas giant exoplanet

The new planet discovered is a gas giant exoplanet. In our solar system, the Jupiter, Neptune, Uranus and Saturn are the gas giants. Now, Uranus and Neptune are classified as ice giants for their heavily volatile materials. The gas giant planets are made of hydrogen and helium. The gas giants do not have any solid matter. It is full of swirling gases.

Why is the new planet unique?

The new planet takes 261 days to revolve around its star. This long period of revolution is not usually found in exoplanets. Also, the revolutionary period is shorted for its size. The planet is three times the size of the Jupiter. Jupiter takes twelve earth years to complete one revolution around the sun! And Saturn takes 29 earth years to complete one revolution. Also, the new planet is warmer than the outer planets in our solar system. However, as compared to the other exoplanets discovered so far, it is abnormally chill.

Who discovered TOI-2180?

Tom Jacobs. He discovered the exoplanet with the help of NASA telescope. Tom also used the help of TESS to discover the planet. TESS is Transitioning Exoplanet Survey Satellite. It is an explorer programme of NASA.