Wednesday 09 April 2025
A team of astronomers has made a fascinating discovery about two planets orbiting a star called K2-266, located about 200 light-years away from us. The planets, dubbed K2-266 d and K2-266 e, are both classified as sub-Neptunes, meaning they’re significantly larger than Earth but much smaller than the gas giants like Jupiter.
Using data from the CHEOPS space telescope and the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), researchers were able to determine the masses of these two planets with unprecedented precision. The results show that K2-266 d has a mass about 6.01 times that of Earth, while K2-266 e has a mass around 7.70 times that of our home planet.
This level of accuracy is crucial in understanding the composition and internal structure of these exoplanets. By combining their masses with other data, scientists can infer the density of each planet, which provides valuable clues about its internal makeup. For instance, if a planet has a high density, it may have a large iron core, whereas a low-density planet might have a significant amount of hydrogen and helium.
One of the most striking aspects of this research is that both K2-266 d and e belong to a population of volatile-rich planets. This means they likely have atmospheres rich in gases like water vapor, methane, or ammonia, which are common components of planetary atmospheres. This discovery sheds new light on the formation and evolution of these types of planets, as well as their potential habitability.
The orbits of K2-266 d and e are also noteworthy. They’re relatively close to each other, with a period ratio that suggests they may be in a 4:3 mean motion resonance. This means that for every four times K2-266 d orbits its star, K2-266 e completes three orbits. While they’re not in perfect harmony like the planets in our own solar system, this resonance could have significant implications for their tidal interactions and potential migration patterns.
The study of exoplanets like K2-266 d and e is crucial for advancing our understanding of planetary formation and evolution. By analyzing these distant worlds, scientists can gain insights into the processes that shape the diversity of planetary systems and potentially even uncover hints about the existence of life beyond Earth.
Cite this article: “Unlocking the Secrets of Two Sub-Neptunes in the K2-266 Planetary System”, The Science Archive, 2025.
K2-266, Exoplanets, Sub-Neptunes, Cheops, Tess, Masses, Density, Composition, Internal Structure, Volatile-Rich Planets.
