Nasa's TESS Uncovers Unusually Light "Super-puff" Planets

WHO:

NASA - NASA's TESS mission is involved in the discovery of the planets.

University of Oxford - The study was led by researchers from this institution.

Université Côte d'Azur/Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur - Collaborating institution in the study.

University of Birmingham - Another collaborating institution in the study.

WHAT:

[08:39 AM EDT] - CBS News - The two newly discovered super-puff planets are the biggest exoplanets found to have less density than cotton candy.

[08:39 AM EDT] - CBS News - The density of these two planets is described as comparable to "a nice blob of shaving foam, fresh from the can," according to George Dransfield from the University of Oxford.

[08:39 AM EDT] - CBS News - Jupiter is as much as 35 times denser than these two lightweights.

[08:39 AM EDT] - CBS News - In 2024, researchers found a super-puff planet 1,200 light years from Earth, calling it a "cosmic mystery."

[08:39 AM EDT] - CBS News - The newly discovered planets have unusually long orbits, with one taking 139 days and the other taking 232 days to circle their host star.

[08:39 AM EDT] - CBS News - Fewer than 40 of the nearly 6,300 confirmed exoplanets are classified as super-puffs, according to Dransfield.

NASA - The newly discovered super-puff planets are described as the "puffiest" worlds ever found.

NY Post - The newly discovered super-puff planets are described as the biggest exoplanets found to have less density than cotton candy.

NY Post - The planets are orbiting a star located 1,110 light-years away.

NASA - Two new “super-puff” planets have been discovered.

Phys.org - These planets are described as the lowest-density giant planets ever detected.

NASA - The density of these planets is comparable to cotton candy.

WHERE:

Phys.org - The study was conducted by an international team, indicating a collaborative effort across multiple locations.

WHEN:

Phys.org - The findings were published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.

WHY:

NASA - The discovery contributes to the understanding of planetary formation and characteristics.

HOW:

[08:39 AM EDT] - CBS News - The researchers studied the planets' orbits using telescopes on Earth to determine their density, from 1,110 light-years away. A light-year is nearly 6 trillion miles.

[08:39 AM EDT] - CBS News - The planets were detected by NASA's TESS satellite over the past decade, and their orbits were studied using telescopes on Earth.

Phys.org - The discovery was made through an international collaboration involving multiple universities and institutions.

(UPDATED June 25, 2026 21:28 UTC)

Scientists have discovered two newly identified super-puff planets that are the largest exoplanets known to have a density lighter than cotton candy, with their density likened to "a nice blob of shaving foam, fresh from the can," according to George Dransfield from the University of Oxford. To put this into perspective, Jupiter is up to 35 times denser than these two lightweights, highlighting their unique characteristics in the cosmos. Researchers studied the orbits of these planets using telescopes on Earth, located 1,110 light-years away, to determine their astonishingly low density.

(UPDATED June 25, 2026 13:40 UTC)

NASA's TESS satellite has recently identified two new exoplanets with unusually long orbits, one taking 139 days and the other 232 days to complete a full circle around their host star. According to George Dransfield from the University of Oxford, the density of these planets is likened to "a nice blob of shaving foam, fresh from the can," and they are among fewer than 40 super-puffs out of nearly 6,300 confirmed exoplanets. The orbits of these planets were studied using telescopes on Earth over the past decade.

(UPDATED June 25, 2026 08:07 UTC)

NASA has announced the discovery of super-puff planets, which are being hailed as the "puffiest" worlds ever found. These unique planets have captured the attention of scientists due to their remarkable characteristics. The findings contribute significantly to our understanding of planetary formation and diversity in the universe.

(UPDATED June 25, 2026 06:20 UTC)

Scientists have discovered a new class of exoplanets known as super-puff planets, which are the largest ever found with a density even lower than that of cotton candy. These fascinating planets are orbiting a star situated 1,110 light-years away from Earth. This remarkable finding adds to our understanding of the diverse types of planets that exist beyond our solar system.

(UPDATED June 25, 2026 04:21 UTC)

NASA's TESS mission has led to the discovery of two new "super-puff" planets, which are now recognized as the lowest-density giant planets ever detected, with a density comparable to cotton candy. This groundbreaking study was conducted by an international team of researchers from the University of Oxford, Université Côte d'Azur, and the University of Birmingham, showcasing a significant collaborative effort across multiple locations. The findings, which contribute to our understanding of planetary formation and characteristics, were published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.