An exoplanet is a planet outside of our solar system.
This example lies 1,317 light years away from Earth and orbits its two stars roughly every 95 days.
Discovery of planets such as TOI-1338 b are a main function of NASA’s TESS.
Photo: screenshot fromNASA GODDARD
The system documents dual-star systems to track the variations in light.
The results proved the deviations in the starlight were in fact a planet rather than random asteroids.
TOI-1338 b joins a roster of several other circumbinary planets (orbiting two stars) known to NASA.
TOI 1338 b with its two stars. (Photo: screenshot fromNASA GODDARD)
Many more are likely to be discovered as TESS continues to track fluctuations in starlight across the universe.
In NASA’srepresentationof the gas planet, the pastel colors of its surface have inspired admiration for the beautiful planet.
The internet has particularly admired a painterlybot-createdartistic interpretationof the new planet.
The orbit path of TOI 1338 b. (Photo: screenshot fromNASA GODDARD)
TOI 1338 b with its two stars.
The orbit path of TOI 1338 b.
An illustration of a light blip as the planet passes across its star.
An illustration of a light “blip” as the planet passes across its star. (Photo: screenshot fromNASA GODDARD)
(Photo: screenshot fromNASA GODDARD)
Learn more about TOI-1338 b with NASA.
Orbital path of the new planet.
Orbital path of the new planet. (Photo: screenshot fromNASA GODDARD)
