On July 8, 2026, scientists from Queen's University Belfast announced the discovery of a rare exoplanet, NGTS-38 b, which is larger than Jupiter and has a 180-day orbital period around its star. This significant find adds to the understanding of planetary systems beyond our solar system.
Details of the Super-Jupiter Discovery
NGTS-38 b is approximately 8% larger than Jupiter and nearly five times more massive. The planet was detected while analyzing data from NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), which identifies planets by observing dips in star brightness during transits.
This 180-day orbit is one of the longest identified through this observational method, marking a notable achievement in exoplanet research. Toby Rodel, a Ph.D. student leading the discovery, noted, "Finding one much farther out at 180 days is a big deal!" The planet was first detected during a single transit on Christmas Day 2020.
Significance of the Long Orbital Period
The long orbital period of NGTS-38 b presents a unique challenge for researchers, as planets on wider orbits are less likely to transit their stars frequently. This makes them harder to detect. Rodel emphasized the significance of this discovery, stating, "This planet has a much cooler temperature than most of the other planets we can study in detail, providing a great opportunity for research."
Interestingly, while most planets in our solar system have circular orbits, NGTS-38 b follows a slightly elliptical path. At its closest approach, it is just slightly farther from its star than Mercury is from the Sun, while at its farthest, it is nearly as distant as Earth is from the Sun.
Implications for Future Research
The discovery has implications for understanding giant planets and their formation. Rodel remarked, "Because the planet is so massive, it has a strong gravitational pull, which might allow it to hold onto moons or rings, a phenomenon not yet observed in exoplanets." The research team, which includes scientists from various universities, has published their findings in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
Professor Christopher Watson, who supervised the research, noted, "Pushing the capability of detecting planets at longer orbital periods is essential if we wish to find another planet like Earth. This planet is nothing like Earth, of course, but demonstrates how the game has moved on remarkably over the last two decades."
- NGTS-38 b is 8% larger than Jupiter
- Mass is approximately 4.5 times that of Jupiter
- 180-day orbital period
- Discovered using TESS data
- Research published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
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