Astronomers studying data from NASA discovered an unusual exoplanet that may be made mostly of iron.
The planet, GJ 367 b, is located about 31 light-years away from Earth. Scientists believe it has an extremely dense structure — similar to the iron core of a planet, but making up most of the entire world.
This discovery was made using NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, which searches for planets orbiting distant stars.
What makes this planet special?• It’s about 80–90% iron
• Much denser than Earth
• Orbits its star in just 8 hours
Scientists think it may be the exposed core of a planet that lost its outer layers after intense radiation from its nearby star.
In other words, this world could be what remains after a planet was stripped down to its metallic heart.
