IN QUEST FOR LIFE OUTSIDE EARTH, 2 SUPER-SATURNS FOUND

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14 March 2024

In their search for life outside Earth, astronomers have discovered new exoplanets that are bigger than Saturn

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These intriguing planets - TOI-4600 b and c - were discovered by NASA's TESS mission

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The first one is a hot, rocky exoplanet located close to its host star

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TOI-4600 c, meanwhile, is a gas giant with a longer orbital period than its companion

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TOI-4600 b has a short orbital period of about 82.7 days, while TOI-4600 c completes its orbit in around 483 days

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They orbit a K-type dwarf star, which is cooler than our Sun and located nearly 700 light years away from Earth 

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TOI-4600 b is likely a rocky world similar to Earth, while TOI-4600 c is classified as a gas giant, resembling Jupiter

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Neither of the planets falls within the habitable zone of their star, making them unlikely candidates for hosting life as we know it

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Astronomers continue to study TOI-4600 b and c to learn more about their compositions, atmospheres, and formation histories

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