Indian scientists spot massive alien planet 78 times larger than Earth, name it sub-Saturn

Indian Scientists Discover Massive Exoplanet Bigger Than Earth. (Image: AI generated)

A team of scientists from Ahmedabad’s Physical Research Laboratory has discovered a massive exoplanet. The planet, named TOI-6038A b, is larger than Earth but smaller than Saturn. It orbits a bright F-type star every 5.83 days in a circular path.

TOI-6038A b falls in the sub-Saturn category, a class missing in our Solar System. Scientists say studying it could reveal new insights into planetary evolution. The exoplanet has a mass 78.5 times that of Earth and a radius 6.41 times larger.

This marks the second exoplanet discovery using the PARAS-2 spectrograph at PRL’s Mount Abu Observatory. According to ISRO, it is also the fifth exoplanet detection combining PARAS-1 and PARAS-2 efforts. The PARAS-2 spectrograph is Asia’s highest-resolution stabilised radial velocity instrument.

TOI-6038 binary system (Image: PRL)

TOI-6038A b orbits within a binary system alongside TOI-6038B, a K-type star. The companion star is 3,217 AU away, raising questions about the planet’s formation and migration.

Preliminary analysis suggests the planet has a massive rocky core. Scientists estimate this core makes up about 75 per cent of its total mass. The system’s brightness makes it ideal for studying planetary atmospheres.

ISRO stated that TOI-6038A b’s characteristics could refine theories about planetary movement. Researchers hope further studies will shed light on exoplanet migration and formation.