'Second Jupiter' exoplanet spotted 60 light-years away in Virgo

An image captured using HiCIAO (High Contrast Instrument for the Subaru Next Generation Adaptive Optics) reveals a distant exoplanet. (Image: HiCIAO (High Contrast Instrument for the Subaru Next Generation Adaptive Optics/ AO188/NAOJ)

Sometimes, the most exciting discoveries lie far beyond Earth. GJ 504 b, a massive exoplanet orbiting a distant star, has recently become the focus of astronomers’ curiosity.

A Planet Bigger Than Jupiter
GJ 504 b is an exoplanet orbiting the star GJ 504. This planet is estimated to be three to six times heavier than Jupiter. Its size and nature have earned it the nickname “second Jupiter” among some experts. GJ 504 b belongs to a class of exoplanets that are hard to spot directly due to their faint glow. But astronomers are now learning more about its features thanks to a detailed image captured by the SEEDS project.

Located in the Constellation Virgo
This planet orbits a star located in the Virgo constellation. The star lies about 60 light-years from Earth. The distance between GJ 504 b and its star is 44 astronomical units. That’s roughly the same as the distance from our Sun to Pluto. Scientists used a special coronagraph camera to capture the planet. This technique blocks the star’s brightness so fainter objects nearby can be seen.

In the image, exoplanet GJ 504 b appears as a bright dot in the top right, positioned far from its star, GJ 504, shown as the large black dot at the centre. (Image: HiCIAO (High Contrast Instrument for the Subaru Next Generation Adaptive Optics/ AO188/NAOJ)

Revealing an Unusual Atmosphere
The image of GJ 504 b has helped reveal a few surprises. Researchers found the planet's temperature to be around 500 Kelvin. That’s 230 degrees Celsius—very hot for us, but unusually cool for a gas giant. The planet also has fewer clouds in its atmosphere compared to others observed. These findings suggest that exoplanets can vary widely in appearance and composition.

More Discoveries Ahead
The SEEDS project, which captured the image, continues to study distant planetary systems. Its main aim is to directly observe exoplanets using powerful imaging tools. With more stars and planets waiting to be studied, astronomers hope to learn more about how our universe formed—and whether life might exist elsewhere.