Astronomers Discover Two Massive Planets Lighter than Cotton Candy

Astronomers have discovered two giant planets that are lighter than cotton candy. These planets are the size of Jupiter and orbit a star 1,110 light-years away. Their low density makes them the lightest known planets of their size, according to George Dransfield from the University of Oxford.

Dransfield explained that the densities of these planets are similar to shaving foam. She believes these planets might appear white or blue, depending on whether their skies are cloudy, and are mostly made of hydrogen and helium. To confirm their exact chemical makeup, researchers will need to use NASA’s Webb Space Telescope.

The planets were detected by NASA’s TESS satellite over the last decade. They orbit a star in the southern constellation Volans, the flying fish. Using telescopes on Earth, the team calculated the density of the planets from 1,110 light-years away.

In 2024, researchers found another similar planet, which they called a “cosmic mystery.” By comparison, Jupiter is about 35 times denser than these new planets. The two newly found planets have long orbits, taking 139 and 232 days to circle their star.

Super-puffs, like these planets, are rare. They are thought to form from gas and dust around a newborn star. Studying these unusual planets helps scientists learn more about how giant planets, like Jupiter, form and our place in the universe. NASA has confirmed nearly 6,300 worlds outside our solar system, but fewer than 40 are super-puffs.

How much do you know?

How far away are the newly discovered planets from Earth?

1,110 light-years

2,500 light-years

800 light-years

5,000 light-years

Which telescope will researchers use to confirm the chemical makeup of the new planets?

Hubble Space Telescope

James Webb Space Telescope

Chandra X-ray Observatory

Kepler Space Telescope

What is the average density comparison of the new planets to Jupiter?

Less than Jupiter

Equal to Jupiter

35 times denser than Jupiter

10 times denser than Jupiter

In which constellation is the star that the new planets orbit located?

Orion

Volans

Andromeda

Cassiopeia

What substance are the newly discovered planets primarily composed of?

Carbon and nitrogen

Oxygen and sulfur

Hydrogen and helium

Silicon and iron

How long does it take for one of the newly found planets to complete an orbit around its star?

139 days

232 days

365 days

100 days

The densities of the new planets are similar to shaving foam.

True False

The planets have a high density, denser than Jupiter.

True False

Super-puffs are considered common among newly discovered planets.

True False

NASA's TESS satellite detected the new planets.

True False

Researchers found the new planets in 2024.

True False

There are fewer than 40 super-puffs confirmed by NASA.

True False

The planets are similar in size to .

Researchers will use NASA's Webb Space Telescope to confirm their .

The two newly found planets require and to form.

The team calculated the density from light-years away.

By comparison, Jupiter is about 35 times than the new planets.

Studying these unusual planets helps scientists learn more about planets.

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