NASA has found new data that infers that a new type of planet could be found beyond the limits of our solar system. This type of planet is distinguished by the fact that it can be as massive as Jupiter, while the density is considerably lower.
Three such planets have been found young solar systems classified under the name of Kepler 51. They are in 2012 with the help of the retired Kepler telescope, which used to be operated by NASA. At that time, the researchers didn’t observe their unique density.
A fresh batch of data offered valuable information about the planet, including more details about their nature as the researchers could estimate their mass and size. The mass of the planets is only a few more times bigger than Earth, but the surface is so puffy that they become quite significant.
NASA Finds a New Type of Exoplanet Beyond Our Solar System
With the help of advanced tools, a team of researchers has managed to collect information about the chemical compounds that can be found in the atmosphere of two out of the three planets. Initial surveys infer that the residue, approximately 500 million years old.
The researchers believe that the atmosphere of Kepler-51 b and Kepler-51 c will start to evaporate in a few billion years, and the planets will start to shrink as their density will increase. Kepler-51 d is situated at a longer distance from the star, and it may remain a low-density planet forever.
Other scientists are very interested in these planets since they may offer valuable information about the formation and evolution of planets that are located beyond the limits of our solar system. Thick clouds of methane or salt crystals have been observed in the atmosphere.
It is hoped that more data will be gathered with the help of the upcoming James Webb Space Telescope, which should be launched in the following years.
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