TESS Discovers New Planetary System Using Innovative Method

WHO:

Phys.org - NASA's TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) mission

NASA - NASA

WHAT:

Phys.org - TESS has identified a planet orbiting a distant star for the first time using a method involving the warping of space-time.

NASA - The newfound planet is described as a super-Jupiter orbiting far from its host star.

WHERE:

Phys.org - The planet is orbiting a distant star, though specific names or locations of the star are not provided.

WHEN:

NASA - The TESS mission was launched, although the specific launch date is not mentioned.

WHY:

NASA - The article notes that when TESS launched, no one expected it to be capable of identifying planets using this method.

HOW:

Phys.org - The identification of the planet was achieved through the warping of space-time, a method known as microlensing.

(UPDATED July 1, 2026 21:28 UTC)

NASA's TESS mission has made a groundbreaking discovery by identifying a planet orbiting a distant star for the first time using a method that involves the warping of space-time. This newly found planet is classified as a super-Jupiter and is located far from its host star. Interestingly, when TESS was launched, it was not anticipated that it would be capable of detecting planets using this innovative microlensing technique.