Global Team Confirms Discovery of Distant Exoplanet with Help from Citizen Scientists
Astronomers have confirmed the existence of a gas giant exoplanet, TOI-4465 b, located 400 light-years away. This Jupiter-sized planet has a unique 102-day orbit and moderate temperatures. The discovery was made possible by a global team of astronomers and citizen scientists who collaborated to observe the planet's transit multiple times.
Distant exoplanets can be challenging to detect, but a team of astronomers recently announced the discovery of a gas giant exoplanet named TOI-4465 b, located about 400 light-years away from Earth. This exoplanet takes 12 hours to transit across its star during its 102-day orbit.
TOI-4465 b was initially spotted by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) as a transit event. To confirm it as a planet, astronomers needed to observe multiple transits due to the limited opportunities each year. The planet, similar in size to Jupiter but with about six times its mass, has moderate temperatures ranging from 375–478 K.
This discovery is significant as long-period exoplanets are hard to detect and confirm. To observe TOI-4465 b, astronomers utilized citizen science, engaging 24 volunteers across 10 countries with telescopes to track the transit. This collaborative effort showcases the impact of citizen science in advancing astronomical research.
According to the source: Universe Today.
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