Astronomers have made an exciting yet alarming discovery. They found an Earth-sized planet that is on the brink of destruction. This planet, named TOI-6255 b, is located about 65.2 light-years from Earth.
TOI-6255 b is similar in size to Earth. Its radius is about 1.08 times that of Earth, and its mass is about 1.44 times that of Earth. However, unlike Earth, this planet has an extremely short orbital period. It completes one orbit around its star in just 5.7 hours. This feature makes this exoplanet an “ultra-short-period” (USP) exoplanet.
The Danger of Tidal Disruption
The short orbital period of TOI-6255 b means it is very close to its star. This proximity puts the planet in danger of a phenomenon known as tidal disruption. Tidal disruption occurs when the gravitational forces from the star become so strong that they start to tear the planet apart.
The study’s primary author, Dr. Fei Dai, an assistant astronomer at the University of Hawaii, argues that rocky planets like TOI-6255 b may eventually experience tidal disruption. The planet is expected to be completely destroyed in about 400 million years. While this may seem like a long time, it is relatively short on a cosmic scale.
The Shape of TOI-6255 b
The intense gravitational forces from the star have already started to affect the shape of TOI-6255 b. The planet is no longer perfectly spherical. Instead, it has been stretched into a shape that resembles a football. This is a significant deviation from a sphere, with about a 10% difference. In comparison, Earth’s tidal distortion due to the moon is only about 0.0000001%.
Why This Discovery Matters
The discovery of TOI-6255 b is important for several reasons. First, it helps astronomers understand the processes that lead to tidal disruption. By studying this planet, researchers can learn more about how and why planets get destroyed by their stars.
Second, the study of TOI-6255 b allows scientists to probe the interior composition of rocky planets. This can provide valuable insights into the similarities and differences between Earth and other rocky planets in the universe.
Could This Happen in Our Solar System?
Dr. Dai notes that about 10% of sun-like stars might have engulfed their rocky planets. This means that tidal disruption is not an uncommon event in the universe. However, there is no immediate threat of this happening to Earth. Our planet is at a safe distance from the sun, and there are no signs of any such danger in the near future.
Future Research
The study of TOI-6255 b is just the beginning. Researchers plan to continue studying this planet and others like it. They hope to learn more about the factors that contribute to tidal disruption and the ultimate fate of rocky planets.
