From Mashable · Elisha Sauers · · 1m 10s
Giant Planet Vanishes After 7 Years of Observation
Astronomers watch a giant planet disappear for the first time.
In brief
Astronomers watch a giant planet disappear for the first time. NASA's TESS telescope detected a gas giant exoplanet vanishing after seven years of observation as its orbit tilted, revealing how hot Jupiters form. Originally reported by Mashable.
Planet Disappears After 7 Years
A gas giant exoplanet like Jupiter went missing after astronomers spent seven years watching it with NASA's TESS telescope.
Planet's Orbit Acts Weird
The planet, TOI-2535 b, had been acting a little weird for a while. Each time it passed, which astronomers call a transit, it arrived as much as six hours early or late.
Transits Grow Shorter
The crossings also grew shorter and fainter until the planet stopped showing up earlier this year.
Orbit Tilted
The planet's orbit is tilting so quickly that its transit disappeared while we were watching.
Hot Jupiter Formation
Scientists think most hot Jupiters formed through violent encounters, but this pair spiraled in slowly together.
What Happened Next
The planet still circles its star but now passes above or below it from Earth's view.
The bottom line
NASA's TESS telescope detected a gas giant exoplanet vanishing after seven years of observation as its orbit tilted, revealing how hot Jupiters form.
