NEW DELHI: In a groundbreaking discovery, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has identified a fourth planet in the Kepler-51 system, an already remarkable planetary system known for its ultra-low-density “super-puff” planets. This new planet, named Kepler-51e, adds to the intrigue of this unique system, which is located approximately 2,615 light-years away in the constellation Cygnus.
Unveiling Kepler-51e
The discovery was made by a research team led by Dr. Jessica Libby-Roberts, a postdoctoral fellow at Penn State’s Centre for Exoplanets and Habitable Worlds, and Dr. Kento Masuda, Associate Professor of Earth and Space Science at Osaka University. The team initially aimed to study Kepler-51d using the JWST but observed its transit occurring two hours earlier than predicted. This significant deviation prompted further analysis, leading to the identification of Kepler-51e.
The Mystery of Super-Puff Planets
Kepler-51 is renowned for its three known super-puff planets, which are about the size of Saturn but only a few times the mass of Earth, resulting in a density similar to cotton candy. These planets have tiny cores and vast atmospheres of hydrogen and helium, making them some of the lightest planets ever discovered. The addition of Kepler-51e suggests complex gravitational interactions within the system, which could explain the unexpected variations in the transit timings of the known planets.
Implications for Planetary Science
The discovery of Kepler-51e challenges existing planetary formation theories and opens up new questions about the dynamics and evolution of such peculiar systems. The researchers believe that Kepler-51e’s orbit, located just inside the system’s habitable zone, suggests the possibility of additional planets or complex gravitational interactions. Continued observations may uncover more planets farther from the star, contributing to the search for potentially habitable worlds.
Future Exploration
The team is also analyzing data from the JWST to study the atmospheric composition of Kepler-51d, which may shed light on the formation mechanisms of these unusual planets. This discovery underscores the importance of advanced space telescopes like the JWST in expanding our understanding of the universe and the diverse planetary systems within it.