A team of scientists from the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad has spotted a gigantic planet 13 times the size of Jupiter, popularly called the giant planet. This is the third exoplanet (planets that orbit around stars instead of the Sun) discovered by the PRL scientists and is also the densest planet recorded, with a mass of 14 g/cm3.
The recently-discovered exoplanet, orbits the star TOI4603 or HD 245134, which Nasa’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) had initially identified as a potential host for a secondary body of an unknown kind- the body was later confirmed to be a planet and named TOI 4603b. The exoplanet planet is 731 light years away from the planet Earth and orbits around its star every 7.24 days. The exoplanet is around 11 to 16 times heavier than Jupiter; its temperature is said to be around 1396 degree celsius. It encompasses a radius of 1.042−0.035+0.038 RJ and is situated from its host star at less than one-tenth the distance between the Sun and Earth. The journal Astronomy & Astrophysics Letters published a full account of the discovery.
The research team included scientists from India, the United States, Germany and Switzerland and was headed by India’s Abhijit Chakraborty. India has been home to many brilliant scientists throughout history and continues to be a hub for scientific research and innovation- the country has made significant contributions to various scientific fields, including physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, space exploration, and technology.
In their search for extraterrestrial life, scientists have so far discovered 5,000 exoplanets outside of our solar system. Each is a fascinating subject of research for astronomers due to its assortment of distinctive features, such as various atmospheres and attributes.
“The exoplanet with a surface temperature of 1670 K is likely undergoing high-eccentricity tidal migration with an eccentricity value of approximately 0.3. The detection of such systems provides valuable insights into the formation, migration, and evolution mechanisms of massive planets and improves our understanding of their dominant formation and migration mechanisms” ISRO said.
India has made remarkable progress in space exploration through its space agency ISRO. The organisation has successfully launched numerous satellites, including lunar and Mars missions. The Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) made India the first country to reach Mars on its maiden attempt. ISRO’s accomplishments have attracted global attention and showcased India’s scientific capabilities.
It is always interesting to see the scientific developments unfolding around us, leading to a path untravelled, giving our minds the food for thought with each research.
Overall, India offers a conducive environment for scientists with its rich scientific heritage, renowned educational institutions, dedicated research institutes, space exploration achievements, government initiatives, and international collaborations- factors that contribute to making the country an attractive home for scientists seeking to pursue groundbreaking research and contribute to the scientific community.
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