SPACERIUM

The search for exoplanets—planets that orbit stars outside our solar system—has yielded many fascinating discoveries. One of the most recent is TOI-1231 b , a unique exoplanet that offers exciting opportunities for scientists to explore atmospheres beyond our solar neighborhood. Discovered in 2021 by NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) and confirmed by additional ground-based observations, TOI-1231 b has quickly become a topic of interest due to its favorable characteristics and potential to offer insights into water-rich planetary systems. Discovery of TOI-1231 b TOI-1231 b was first identified by TESS, a NASA mission designed to survey the brightest stars near the Earth for transiting exoplanets. The star system, TOI-1231, lies about 90 light-years away from Earth in the constellation Vela . Astronomers utilized the transit method to detect TOI-1231 b, observing the regular dimming of the host star as the planet passed in front of it, which allowed them to ...

The Planet Hotter Than a Star Exoplanets, those distant worlds orbiting alien suns, have captured our imaginations for decades. But KELT-9b , a scorching gas giant, transcends mere fascination. It's a crucible forged by fire, holding the title of the hottest exoplanet ever discovered. Let's embark on a journey to this inferno and explore the secrets it holds. Unveiling the Exoplanet Atmosphere Unlike the familiar, rocky planets of our solar system, KELT-9b belongs to a class known as " Ultrahot Jupiters ".  Orbiting its star, KELT-9, at a scorchingly close 0.034 AU ( compared to Mercury's 0.39 AU from our Sun ), KELT-9b endures a relentless onslaught of radiation. KELT-9 itself is a behemoth, a B-type star 2-3 times larger and hotter than our Sun . The result? A dayside temperature exceeding a staggering 4,600 Kelvin (7,800 degrees Fahrenheit) – hot enough to vaporize most metals and rip apart even water molecules. Does KELT-9b even possess a traditional atmos...

  We all must have seen the movie Interstellar, and it seems very inspiring, but is it all true? Yes, it can be true, because in our exoplanet discovery phase, the Kepler telescope has discovered many exoplanets and one of them is Kepler-22b also known as The Ocean Planet , it is exactly like Interstellar's Miller's planet which revolves around a star and not a black hole, it is orbiting right in the habitable zone of our Earth which may be creating an underwater world! Kepler-22b: A Potential Ocean Paradise Imagine a planet eerily similar to our own, bathed in the gentle glow of a sun-like star. This is the tantalizing possibility that Kepler-22b presents. Discovered in 2011 , it was one of the first exoplanets found within the habitable zone of its star, Kepler-22. This "Goldilocks zone" is the sweet spot where liquid water, the essential ingredient for life as we know it, could exist on a planet's surface. Here's where things get truly exciting! Unlike Ea...

  Citizen science strikes again! Thanks to the collaborative efforts of enthusiastic skywatchers and professional astronomers, a remarkable exoplanet named TOI-4633 c has been discovered. This Neptune-sized world orbits within the habitable zone of a sun-like star, making it a prime candidate in the ever-growing search for life beyond Earth. Discovery Through Collaboration: The story of TOI-4633 c's discovery is a testament to the power of collaboration. Data collected by NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) was meticulously combed through by citizen scientists participating in the Planet Hunters TESS program. This vigilance led to the identification of a subtle dimming in the light of a distant star, TOI-4633 A, caused by the exoplanet transiting (passing in front of) its host star. Further analysis by astronomers confirmed the existence of TOI-4633 c. A World of Possibility: TOI-4633 c is a gas giant, estimated to be roughly 48 times Earth's mass and 3.2 ti...

  Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered if there are other Earths out there? Well, thanks to NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), we might be getting closer to an answer. Enter TOI-715b, a recently discovered exoplanet that has sent shivers of excitement down the spines of astronomers. Let's explore this "Super-Earth" and delve into its secrets! A Distant Address: A Red Dwarf Neighborhood TOI-715b calls a place 137 light-years away home. That's a mind-boggling distance! It orbits a cool, dim star designated TOI-715, a member of the M-dwarf class. These stars are smaller and cooler than our Sun, but they're also the most common type in the galaxy, making them prime real estate in the search for habitable worlds. But there's more to the story of M-dwarfs. They are known for stellar flares, intense bursts of radiation that could potentially harm any life on orbiting planets.  Future observations will be crucial to determine the...

Exoplanet HD 189733 - Discovery of Chandra X-Ray observatory Introduction: Embark with us on an interstellar journey as we uncover the breathtaking discovery of the enigmatic exoplanet HD 189733 by the extraordinary Chandra X-Ray Observatory. Together, we'll unravel the cosmic tapestry surrounding HD 189733, exploring its distant location, mesmerizing characteristics, and the groundbreaking revelations that have captivated astronomers and stargazers alike. Part 1: The Cosmic Jewel - HD 189733's Location and Distance Nestled in the constellation Vulpecula, HD 189733 graces the cosmic stage approximately 63 light-years away from our own celestial abode. Picture this distant star as a sapphire jewel, radiating its celestial glow amidst the cosmic expanse. With Chandra as our guide, we'll traverse the light-years to uncover the wonders hidden within its planetary companion. Part 2: Unveiling HD 189733 - A Stellar Revelation Before we delve into the captivating exoplanet, let...