First exposed planetary core discovered

[FfFfFfFF 58,133]

The surviving core of a gas giant has been discovered orbiting a distant star by University of Warwick astronomers, offering an unprecedented glimpse into the interior of a planet.

The core, which is the same size as Neptune in our own solar system, is believed to be a gas giant that was either stripped of its gaseous atmosphere or that failed to form one in its early life.

Located around a star much like our own approximately 730 light years away, the core, named TOI 849 b orbits so close to its host star that a year is a mere 18 hours and its surface temperature is around 1800K.

TOI 849 b was found in a survey of stars by NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), using the transit method: observing stars for the tell-tale dip in brightness that indicates that a planet has passed in front of them. 

“This is the first time that we’ve discovered an intact exposed core of a gas giant around a star.”

Dr. Armstrong adds: “One way or another, TOI 849 b either used to be a gas giant or is a ‘failed’ gas giant.

Source: https://sciencebulletin.org/first-exposed-planetary-core-discovered-allows-glimpse-inside-other-worlds/

[buzzkill 5,183]

but what does it mean?

[FfFfFfFF 58,133]

4 minutes ago, buzzkill said:

but what does it mean?

From Twitter:

"What if you blasted Jupiter with a heat ray and boiled it down to its core?" We just found it. It's called planet TOI 849 b.''

It's believed this is the first time the exposed core or inner part of a planet was discovered. It's interesting because this way they can analyse planet's composition. more easily.

[ice bear 1]

read the title and pictured like a huge terrestrial planet cracked open with the pieces still orbiting the core 

a gas planet is less fun

[weed 78,964]

I didn't know too much about space before this thread but now I feel like I know even less lmao

[NathanC 938]

11 minutes ago, ice bear said:

read the title and pictured like a huge terrestrial planet cracked open with the pieces still orbiting the core 

a gas planet is less fun

Love these articles! I would imagine those core are shiny and metallic. Imagine standing on one? I mean if we had the tech.

[PartySick 172,545]

9 minutes ago, NathanC said:

Love these articles! I would imagine those core are shiny and metallic. Imagine standing on one? I mean if we had the tech.

You would die  from the gravity alone probably

But it would be very pretty if that were the case

[AsleepOnTheCeiling 6,974]

29 minutes ago, FfFfFfFF said:

From Twitter:

"What if you blasted Jupiter with a heat ray and boiled it down to its core?" We just found it. It's called planet TOI 849 b.''

It's believed this is the first time the exposed core or inner part of a planet was discovered. It's interesting because this way they can analyse planet's composition. more easily.

Are all planets made of the same material on the inside?

[Petie Estie 5,707]

how is it a gas giant...if it potentially never had any gas....

[PartySick 172,545]

8 minutes ago, justhislife said:

Are all planets made of the same material on the inside?

Heavier elements fall closer to the star when planets form. In our system, planets like Earth have cores of iron and nickel but planets like Jupiter have cores of metallic hydrogen and helium compressed so tightly that they're super heated and "solid"

[Pennywise 36,080]

Who exposed ha? Are we canceling or not? 

[FfFfFfFF 58,133]

19 minutes ago, justhislife said:

Are all planets made of the same material on the inside?

Not really.

But even so, this is an unprecedented discovery. Seeing a planet's core is still very useful and I assume could give information about other planet's cores.

[CannaeDrive 3,412]

Love that you post these articles, keep on the good work