Astronomers Find a 'Marshmallow World': the Lowest Density Gas Giant Ever Discovered - by spacewriter
Why are red dwarf star systems not-so-optimal habitats for fluffy giant planets? They’re certainly cooler than their brighter, larger counterparts in the star family. You’d think that would make them a bit more welcoming to gas giants. But, these little. Astronomers see them emitting powerful flares from time to time, which can destroy a planet’s atmosphere. So, how did TOI-3757 b get there? The research team has a few ideas to explain that puzzle.
It’s possible the extra-low density of TOI-3757 b could date back to the formation of its interior. Typically, gas giants are born with rocky cores that can be up to about ten times the mass of Earth. Their gravity attracts huge amounts of gas from the protoplanetary nebula. That’s how you get Jupiters and Saturns . It’s likely this didn’t happen with TOI-3757 b. Its red dwarf star isn’t very rich in heavy elements compared to other M-dwarfs with gas giants. That’s an important clue.
There’s a second clue that might explain the marshmallow planet. Its elliptical orbit takes it closer to the star at certain times. That heats the atmosphere more than normal and causes it to puff up.Of course, there’s a lot more to find out about this planet and astronomers are anxious to study it in more detail.
This is particularly true since finding even one such planet around a red dwarf means there are probably more of them out there. In the grand scheme of exoplanet studies, understanding a puffy Jupiter orbiting an active cool star will give astronomers more insight into how planets form around many different kinds of stars.
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