Astronomers Confirm New Gas Giant Exoplanet with Help from Citizen Scientists Worldwide

Astronomers have confirmed a new giant exoplanet, TOI-4465 b, located about 400 light-years from Earth. The discovery was made possible through a collaboration with citizen scientists worldwide. The planet was first detected by NASA's TESS space telescope and confirmed through additional observations.

The researchers faced challenges in observing the planet due to limited windows of opportunity. To overcome this, they launched an international campaign involving citizen scientists and professional astronomers from 14 countries. The contributions of these enthusiasts were crucial in confirming the existence of TOI-4465 b.

TOI-4465 b is a gas giant exoplanet larger and denser than Jupiter, with a mildly elliptical orbit. Its discovery sheds light on the formation and evolution of planetary systems under more moderate conditions. The planet's characteristics make it a promising candidate for future atmospheric studies using telescopes like the JWST.

This research is part of the Giant Outer Transiting Exoplanet Mass (GOT 'EM) survey, which aims to study long-period transiting giant planets. The discovery of TOI-4465 b contributes to expanding our catalog of exoplanets and understanding planetary systems beyond our own.

According to the source: Phys.org.