Trending Now - Astronomers Identify New Type of Planet With Unique Properties

WHO:

Harrison Nicholls, team leader, University of Oxford

Raymond Pierrehumbert, team member, University of Oxford

Dr. Jo Barstow, planetary scientist, Open University

WHAT:

Astronomers discovered a new type of exoplanet designated L 98-59 d.

L 98-59 d is approximately 1.6 times the size of Earth.

The planet has a sulfur-rich atmosphere, primarily composed of hydrogen sulfide.

Surface temperatures on L 98-59 d reach about 1,900°C (3,500°F).

The planet is classified as a new category of gas-rich sulphurous planets.

The findings were published in the journal Nature Astronomy.

WHERE:

L 98-59 d orbits a small red star located about 35 light-years away from Earth.

WHEN:

The planet has existed for nearly 5 billion years.

WHY:

The discovery suggests that current classifications of small planets may be overly simplistic.

The research indicates that molten planets may be more common than previously thought.

HOW:

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) was used to analyze the planet's atmosphere.

Advanced computer simulations were employed to reconstruct the planet's history and internal structure.

The research involved comparing simulation models with actual telescope data to understand the planet's conditions.

(UPDATED March 17, 2026 07:24 UTC)

Astronomers from the University of Oxford and the Open University have discovered a new type of exoplanet named L 98-59 d, which is about 1.6 times the size of Earth and features a sulfur-rich atmosphere primarily made up of hydrogen sulfide. This newly classified gas-rich sulphurous planet orbits a small red star located around 35 light-years away from Earth and has surface temperatures reaching approximately 1,900 degrees Celsius. The findings, published in the journal Nature Astronomy, suggest that molten planets may be more common than previously thought and indicate that current classifications of small planets could be overly simplistic.