Scientists have discovered a new exoplanet that is intriguingly lemon-shaped, a characteristic that they have not observed previously. The planet, named WASP-103b, is a ‘hot Jupiter’ type exoplanet, which refers to a gas giant with high surface temperatures as it orbits extremely close to its parent star.
WASP-103b was first identified in 2014. However, it is the recent study by a team of researchers at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, which has revealed the planet’s unusual shape. Their findings, published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics, show that WASP-103b is not spherical like most other planets, but slightly elongated – resembling the shape of a lemon.
The team used data from the CHEOPS (Characterising Exoplanet Satellite) space telescope, launched by the European Space Agency (ESA) in 2019. CHEOPS is designed to study known exoplanets in greater detail, helping to measure their size, composition, and atmospheric conditions. The telescope does this by observing the planet as it transits, or passes in front of, its star, causing a temporary decrease in the star’s brightness.
In the case of WASP-103b, the researchers used CHEOPS data to accurately determine the planet’s size, mass, and density. They found that it is about 1.5 times the size of Jupiter, but with only half the mass, which makes it one of the least dense ‘hot Jupiter’ exoplanets known. The low density is likely due to the intense heat from the close-by star causing the planet’s atmosphere to expand.
WASP-103b’s lemon shape is thought to be a result of the planet’s rapid rotation and close proximity to its star. The gravitational forces from the star pull the planet into an elongated shape, while the fast rotation flattens it at the poles. This is a phenomenon known as gravitational distortion, which has been observed in stars, but never before in planets.
The discovery of WASP-103b’s unique shape will have implications for future exoplanet research. Scientists will need to take into account this type of gravitational distortion when studying other ‘hot Jupiter’ exoplanets. This could lead to a better understanding of these strange worlds, and potentially reveal more about the variety and complexity of planets in our universe.
In addition, the success of the CHEOPS mission in unveiling the characteristics of WASP-103b highlights the importance of space telescopes in exoplanet research. Such tools are crucial in providing detailed information about these distant worlds, paving the way for new discoveries and advancements in the field of astronomy.
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