Astronomers have discovered a scorching hot exoplanet called Enaiposha (GJ 1214 b) that defies previous expectations of what an exoplanet should be like. Located just 47 light-years from Earth, this planet is shrouded in a thick haze filled with aerosols and strange molecules, making it one of the most intriguing exoplanets to date.
The discovery was made possible by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), which captured images of Enaiposha’s atmosphere that revealed its unique chemical composition. Unlike mini-Neptunes, Enaiposha has a dense, metal-rich atmosphere unlike anything seen before. Its sky is filled with an unusual mix of gases, including carbon dioxide, water, methane, and metals.
Scientists believe Enaiposha may have once been Neptune-like but gradually transformed into the scorching hot world we see today. This transformation could be evidence that thousands of other exoplanets are undergoing similar changes, hidden from view due to their extreme haze.
The study’s findings raise more questions than answers about how exoplanets evolve over time and challenge our current understanding of planetary formation. As researchers continue to unravel the mysteries of Enaiposha, they may uncover new insights into the complex processes that shape our universe.
Source: https://www.businesstoday.in/visualstories/news/venus-on-steroids-this-super-hot-exoplanet-could-be-a-missing-link-218303-20-03-2025