TESS discovers planet that rotates in 482 days and could be habitable

Thanks to the data provided by the TESS space telescope, scientists managed to discover an exoplanet with an unusually long orbital period: one complete rotation of the planet takes 482 days, which is the longest orbital period for an exoplanet.

The new exoplanet, named TOI-1231 b, is a gas giant about twice the size of Neptune. It is located about 90 light-years from Earth in a star system consisting of a single red dwarf star. TOI-1231 b, as already mentioned, completes one revolution around its star in 482 days.

Scientists believe that TOI-1231 b formed away from its star and migrated closer to its current orbit. This hypothesis helps to expand the scenario regarding the processes of formation and evolution of planetary systems.

In addition, TOI-1231 b is located in the so-called "habitable zone", which means that there could be water on its surface, even in liquid form. This circumstance makes the exoplanet a potentially interesting study in terms of how habitable it might become for humanity.

TESS continues to explore the sky and discover new planets. Each such discovery expands humanity's understanding of the diversity of exoplanets and helps to understand what conditions and factors might favor the emergence of life.