> Outside of the Solar System, astronomers have found a unique kind of planet where a year only lasts 21 hours. Our knowledge of planetary formation may be completely altered by this recently found planet.
> The newest member of a select group of celestial worlds that contradict accepted ideas of planetary evolution is TOI-3261 b, an ultra-hot planet the size of Neptune.
> In August 2024, the findings of the multinational team of researchers—led by astronomer Emma Nabbie of the University of Southern Queensland—were published in The Astronomical Journal.
"Surviving in the Hot Neptune Desert: The Discovery of the Ultrahot Neptune TOI-3261 b," their study, describes this unique planetary system.
> In just 21 hours, TOI-3261 b completes a year in its incredibly tight orbit around its star. It is a perfect candidate for testing new computer models of planet formation because of its closeness to its host star.
Given how hard it is for planets to maintain dense gaseous atmospheres so near to their stars, the planet's very existence defies accepted beliefs.
> The star and planet system is thought to be around 6.5 billion years old, according to the research team.
> They think that before shedding a sizable amount of its mass, TOI-3261 b was probably a considerably larger gas giant, perhaps the size of Jupiter. Two main processes caused this loss: tidal stripping, in which layers of the planet's atmosphere are pulled away by the star's gravity, and photoevaporation, in which gas particles disperse due to stellar energy.
> It is interesting to note that TOI-3261 b has roughly double the density of Neptune, indicating that only its heavier atmospheric components are still present. This feature offers a rare chance for more research, possibly utilizing NASA's James Webb Space Telescope to examine the planet's atmospheric infrared radiation.
Since 2020, TOI-3261 b has been added to a limited but expanding list of ultra-short-period hot Neptunes. Astronomers are learning more about the formation and evolution of planets in harsh environments because to these uncommon planets, which include LTT-9779 b, TOI-849 b, and TOI-332 b.
> Scientists hope to learn more about the physical processes that shape hot, huge planets throughout the universe as they continue to investigate these mysterious worlds.
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