Astronomers have made a fascinating discovery in the cosmos – a new type of ‘Hot Jupiter’ exoplanet that challenges our understanding of these celestial bodies. Hot Jupiters are a class of exoplanets that orbit very close to their host stars, leading to scorching surface temperatures. In this recent finding, scientists have come across a ‘hot-Jupiter’ with an extraordinary twist – it has a surface temperature 2,000 degrees hotter than our Sun.
Published in 'Nature Astronomy', the study presents a system with two celestial bodies located 1,400 light-years away. This system provides a unique opportunity to study the atmospheres of hot Jupiters in detail and enhance our knowledge of planetary and stellar evolution. Notably, the star in this system is far dimmer than usual, making it an ideal environment for studying the extreme conditions of hot Jupiters.
The system comprises two distinct types of celestial bodies: a ‘white dwarf’ and a ‘brown dwarf’. The former is a remnant of a Sun-like star after it exhausts its fuel, while the latter is more massive than planets but lacks the mass needed for nuclear fusion to turn it into a star. The brown dwarf is unusually dense, packing 80 times the mass of Jupiter into a similar size, and it forms a binary system with the white dwarf.
MCQ (Multiple Choice Question):
What unique characteristic sets apart the recently discovered 'hot-Jupiter' exoplanet from others of its kind?
A) It has a smaller size than other 'hot-Jupiters'.
B) It orbits its star at a greater distance.
C) It has a surface temperature hotter than the Sun.
D) It lacks a detectable atmosphere.
Explanation:
The correct answer is C) It has a surface temperature hotter than the Sun.
In the recent discovery, scientists found a new 'hot-Jupiter' exoplanet with an exceptional trait – its surface temperature is 2,000 degrees hotter than the Sun. This characteristic makes it stand out among other 'hot-Jupiters' that orbit closely to their host stars and experience scorching temperatures due to their proximity.
