Using NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), an international team of astronomers has discovered two sub-Neptune exoplanets orbiting a subgiant star known as TOI-6054. The newfound alien worlds are nearly three times larger than the Earth. The finding was reported in a paper published Jan. 15 on the pre-print server arXiv. This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of planetary composition and atmospheric characteristics in exoplanets.
Overview of the Discovery
The TESS mission aims to survey 200,000 of the brightest stars near the Sun to find transiting exoplanets, which might range from small rocky planets to gaseous giants. TOI-6054, also named TIC 392681545, is an F-type subgiant star situated approximately 259 light-years away from Earth. It is about 66% larger and only slightly more massive than our Sun, making it a bright target for the discovery of planets.
Key Characteristics of TOI-6054
| Characteristic | Details |
|---|---|
| Distance from Earth | 259 light years |
| Star Type | F-type subgiant |
| Size Relative to Sun | 66% larger |
| Mass Relative to Sun | Slightly more massive |
Planetary Details of TOI-6054 b and TOI-6054 c
Two planets were identified using TESS transit signals, confirming their planetary nature led by Maxwell A. Kroft's research team at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The parameters of the two detected exoplanets are as follows:
| Planet | Radius (in Earth radii) | Mass (in Earth masses) | Density (g/cm³) | Orbital Period (days) | Distance from Star (AU) | Equilibrium Temperature (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOI-6054 b | 2.65 | 12.4 | 3.65 | 7.5 | 0.077 | 1,360 |
| TOI-6054 c | 2.81 | 9.2 | 2.27 | 12.56 | 0.11 | 1,144 |
Composition and Characteristics of the Exoplanets
Based on the dimensions and physical characteristics derived from spectroscopic data, the researchers classified TOI-6054 b and TOI-6054 c as sub-Neptunes. The significant size and mass suggest that these planets are likely not composed solely of rocky materials. Instead, they might hold a substantial gaseous envelope or water-rich atmospheres.
“This data suggests that the planets are likely to be intermediate compositions; they might not be pure rocky worlds nor entirely hydrogen/helium enveloped.” – Maxwell A. Kroft
Due to their dense atmospheres and potentially complex compositions, the TOI-6054 exoplanets are important candidates for future atmospheric studies.
Future Observations
The researchers have emphasized the potential for conducting follow-up atmospheric characterization of these exoplanets using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). The transmission spectroscopy metric indicates that both TOI-6054 b and TOI-6054 c could exhibit detectable atmospheric features.
Further investigation will allow astronomers to elucidate the nature of the exoplanetary atmospheres and assess the potential habitability of the systems.
Additional Resources
For more information regarding the study:
- Article Citation: Maxwell A. Kroft et al., A Pair of Dynamically Interacting Sub-Neptunes Around TOI-6054, arXiv (2025). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2501.09095
- Read the full article on arXiv
Conclusion
Through the discovery of TOI-6054 b and TOI-6054 c, astronomers have expanded our understanding of the diversity of planetary systems. These sub-Neptune exoplanets orbiting a subgiant star provide an invaluable opportunity to explore the complexities of planet formation and atmospheric behavior beyond our solar system.
Further insights can highly benefit the ongoing efforts to understand the fundamental characteristics of exoplanets and their potential for life.
For More Information
For more detailed scientific coverage and related articles, visit Physics.org Planetary Sciences for updates.
