Daily Current Affairs : 1-June-2024
In a groundbreaking achievement, scientists from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have discovered a new exoplanet that is not only the size of Jupiter but also has the highest density ever recorded for any exoplanet. This discovery marks a significant milestone in the study of exoplanets and highlights India’s growing capabilities in space research.
A Massive Exoplanet
The newly discovered exoplanet has a mass 13 times that of Jupiter and is located around a star known as TOI4603 (or HD 245134). What makes this exoplanet particularly interesting is that it falls into a rare category: the transition mass range between large giant planets and low-mass brown dwarfs. This class of planets has a mass ranging from 11 to 16 times that of Jupiter, and fewer than five exoplanets in this mass range have been discovered to date.
Key Facts About the Discovery:
- Star System: The exoplanet orbits a sub-giant F-type star named TOI4603.
- Distance: The planet is located around 731 light-years away from Earth.
- Orbital Period: The planet completes one orbit around its star in just 7.24 days, indicating a very short orbital period.
- High Density: The exoplanet’s extremely high density sets it apart from other known exoplanets.
Role of PARAS in the Discovery
The discovery of this massive exoplanet was made possible through the use of the PRL Advanced Radial-velocity Abu-sky Search (PARAS), a high-resolution spectrograph developed by the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in India. PARAS is an advanced scientific tool that detects planets by measuring the subtle wobble of a star caused by the gravitational pull of an orbiting planet.
Key Features of PARAS:
- Fiber-fed Spectrograph: PARAS is a fiber-fed high-resolution echelle spectrograph.
- Commissioned in 2012: It was commissioned at the Mount Abu 1.2-meter telescope in India.
- Radial Velocity Measurements: PARAS measures the radial velocity of stars, which helps in detecting exoplanets that orbit them.
The Role of NASA’s TESS
NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) also played a crucial role in this discovery. TESS first identified TOI4603 as a potential candidate for hosting an unknown celestial body. The data provided by TESS helped guide scientists in their search for this new exoplanet, showcasing the importance of international collaboration in space exploration.
Important Points:
- Discovery of a Massive Exoplanet: ISRO scientists discovered an exoplanet with 13 times the mass of Jupiter and the highest density ever recorded for an exoplanet.
- Exoplanet’s Location: The exoplanet orbits a star called TOI4603 (HD 245134), located 731 light-years away from Earth.
- Unique Mass Range: The exoplanet falls into a rare mass range between giant planets and low-mass brown dwarfs, with a mass 11-16 times that of Jupiter.
- Short Orbital Period: The exoplanet completes one orbit around its star in just 7.24 days, indicating a very fast orbit.
- High Density: The planet’s extremely high density makes it stand out from other known exoplanets.
- Role of PARAS: The discovery was made possible by PARAS (PRL Advanced Radial-velocity Abu-sky Search), a high-resolution spectrograph developed by ISRO’s Physical Research Laboratory (PRL).
- PARAS Features:
- It is a fiber-fed echelle spectrograph.
- Commissioned at the Mount Abu 1.2-meter telescope in 2012.
- Measures radial velocity of stars to detect orbiting exoplanets.
- NASA’s Contribution: NASA’s TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) identified TOI4603 as a potential candidate for hosting an exoplanet, aiding the discovery.
- Global Collaboration: The discovery highlights the importance of international cooperation in space research, combining ISRO’s PARAS and NASA’s TESS to make the breakthrough.
- Scientific Significance: The discovery enhances our understanding of exoplanets, particularly those in the transition mass range, and demonstrates India’s growing expertise in space science.
Why In News
A new Jupiter-size exoplanet, with a mass 13 times that of Jupiter and the highest density ever recorded for an exoplanet, has been discovered by ISRO, marking a significant milestone in the study of distant planetary systems and enhancing our understanding of planetary formation.
MCQs about Discovery of a Massive Exoplanet with the Aid of ISRO
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What makes the newly discovered exoplanet stand out from others?
A. It has the largest size compared to any known planet
B. It is located in a star system much closer to Earth than other exoplanets
C. It has the highest density ever recorded for an exoplanet
D. It has the longest orbital period known for any exoplanet
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How much more massive is the newly discovered exoplanet compared to Jupiter?
A. 5 times
B. 10 times
C. 13 times
D. 20 times
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Which space mission first identified the star TOI4603 as a potential candidate for hosting an exoplanet?
A. ISRO’s Mangalyaan
B. NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope
C. NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS)
D. ESA’s Gaia Mission
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What is the primary tool used by ISRO’s scientists to detect the exoplanet?
A. Hubble Space Telescope
B. PARAS spectrograph
C. James Webb Space Telescope
D. Kepler Space Telescope
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