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The amazing disappearing exoplanet
Confirmed
In Short: Researchers report an exoplanet that once orbited a star like clockwork has stopped showing up, raising questions about its fate.
Researchers have reported an unusual disappearance: an exoplanet that once orbited its star in a predictable pattern has vanished from view.
TOI-2535b, a Jupiter-sized exoplanet, was initially identified by NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) between April 2019 and March 2026.
The exoplanet was observed to have an orbit of eight days, making it a 'hot Jupiter' due to its proximity to its host star.
The rapid changes in the exoplanet's orbit are unprecedented, with one researcher stating, “This is the fastest rate of inclination change observed for an exoplanet orbiting a single star.”
This event raises questions about the fate of the exoplanet and the mechanisms that govern its orbit.
The discovery of TOI-2535b’s disappearance adds to the mystery of other vanishing exoplanets, such as Fomalhaut b, which was once thought to be a planet but may have been the result of a collision of asteroid-sized bodies.
The study of exoplanets continues to provide insights into the complex dynamics of planetary systems beyond our solar system.
What's confirmed
- Researchers have reported an unusual disappearance: an exoplanet that once orbited its star in a predictable pattern has vanished from view.
- TOI-2535b, a Jupiter-sized exoplanet, was initially identified by NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) between April 2019 and March 2026.
- The exoplanet was observed to have an orbit of eight days, making it a 'hot Jupiter' due to its proximity to its host star.
- This event raises questions about the fate of the exoplanet and the mechanisms that govern its orbit.
- The discovery of TOI-2535b’s disappearance adds to the mystery of other vanishing exoplanets, such as Fomalhaut b, which was once thought to be a planet but may have been the result of a collision of asteroid-sized bodies.
- The study of exoplanets continues to provide insights into the complex dynamics of planetary systems beyond our solar system.
What's still developing
- On Monday, researchers reported on an exoplanet that simply stopped showing up.
- One nice thing about discovering exoplanets is that, once you work out how long their orbits take, they continue to show up like clockwork.
- A fading dust cloud hints that the once-seen exoplanet Fomalhaut b was never a planet The Hubble Space Telescope spotted evidence of a collision of asteroid-sized bodies (re-created in this artist’s illustration).
- The event also solves a long-standing mystery about a disappearing exoplanet.
- The blob’s existence is enticing because it could solve a cold case of the vanishing exoplanet Fomalhaut b.
- Researchers from the University of Cambridge found signs of chemicals on the exoplanet K2-18b, which is 124 light years away (around 744 trillion miles).
- Scientists want new mission to seek out alien life Amazing 'cosmic tornado' captured by James Webb Space Telescope Exoplanet with metallic clouds could be shiniest yet Exoplanets are planets that are beyond our solar system and orbit a different star to our Sun.
- Above: An artist's impression of the 10 hot Jupiter exoplanets studied using the Hubble and Spitzer space telescopes.