Astronomers Discover Two Gigantic Planets Lighter Than Cotton Candy

Astronomers found two giant planets that are lighter than cotton candy. They are both the size of Jupiter. These planets orbit a star 1,110 light-years from Earth.

This discovery is important because these planets have less density, which means they are very light for their size. George Dransfield from the University of Oxford said they are like a fluffy blob of shaving foam. The planets might be white or blue, depending on their clouds. They probably contain mostly hydrogen and helium, which are common gases.

The planets were detected by NASA’s Tess satellite over ten years. They orbit a star in the southern constellation called Volans. Scientists studied the planets’ orbits using telescopes to understand their density from far away.

NASA also notes that these planets have long orbits. One takes 139 days to circle the star, and the other takes 232 days. Super-puffs like these are rare in space. They can help scientists learn more about how planets form and where they belong in the universe.

How much do you know?

How far is the star that the two giant planets orbit from Earth?

1,110 light-years

500 light-years

2,000 light-years

1,500 light-years

What is the size of the newly discovered planets compared to?

Earth

Neptune

Jupiter

Mars

Which organization detected the planets?

ESA

NASA

ISRO

JAXA

How many days does one of the planets take to orbit its star?

139 days

365 days

232 days

100 days

What gases are the planets likely made up of?

Oxygen and Nitrogen

Hydrogen and Helium

Carbon Dioxide and Argon

Methane and Ammonia

In which constellation are the planets located?

Orion

Volans

Andromeda

Ursa Major

The planets discovered are heavier than cotton candy.

True False

The planets are mostly composed of hydrogen and helium.

True False

One of the planets takes 139 days to orbit around its star.

True False

The planets were detected by a ground-based telescope.

True False

Super-puffs like these planets are common in space.

True False

The density of the planets is high for their size.

True False

The planets orbit a star that is light-years from Earth.

George Dransfield described the planets as being like a fluffy blob of foam.

One planet takes days to circle its star.

The planets might appear or blue, depending on their clouds.

NASA's Tess satellite took over years to detect the planets.

The two giant planets are the size of .

This question is required