A number of planets described as Super-Earths have been discovered in recent memory, but researchers have recently spotted one unlike any other found to date.
The planet, known as TOI-561 b, orbits the TOI-561 star system, according to a study published in The Astronomical Journal. It’s approximately 50% larger than Earth, but takes half the time to orbit its star given the close proximity between the two.
“The rocky planet orbiting TOI-561 is one of the oldest rocky planets yet discovered,” said the study’s lead author, Lauren Weiss, in a statement. “Its existence shows that the universe has been forming rocky planets almost since its inception 14 billion years ago.”
Artist’s rendition of TOI-561, one of the oldest, most metal-poor planetary systems discovered yet in the Milky Way galaxy. (Credit: W. M. Keck Observatory/Adam Makarenko)
