The world of the ocean was found in a small but dangerous star

The new exoplanet belongs to the class of mini-Neptunes (it is less massive, but still resemblesNeptune).

It orbits the young, bright K-class dwarf HD-207496.It is a star smaller and redder than the Sun.

The study showed that the density of HD 207496blower than that of the Earth, which means it is “not quite rocky,” the scientists write. Most likely, the exoplanet contains a significant amount of water or gas, possibly both. To find out for sure, astronomers studied the internal structure of HD 207496b using evaporation simulations.

It showed that if the exoplanet is differentgas-rich atmosphere of hydrogen and helium, this state is temporary. Over the next 520 million years, its star will completely deprive the exoplanet of the outer shell, which makes HD-207496 dangerous for a celestial object. It is possible that its atmosphere has already disappeared, and HD 207496b is already just an ocean world.

Further observations of HD 207496b will allowresearchers to learn more about the composition of mini-neptune. Astronomers also noted that the in-depth characterization of young exoplanets will provide scientists with more data on the physical processes that form planetary systems.

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Cover photo: Exobank • CC BY 2.5