Indian Scientists Discover New Planet In Distant Star System Using PARAS-2 Spectrograph At Mount Abu Telescope

 


In a significant development, a team of scientists from the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, have discovered a new exoplanet, TOI-6038A b, a dense sub-Saturn-sized planet in a wide binary system, according to a ISRO statement.

The planet has a mass of 78.5 Earth masses and a radius of 6.41 Earth radii, orbiting a bright, metal-rich F-type star every 5.83 days in a circular orbit.

TOI-6038A b lies in the transition region between Neptune-like and gas giant exoplanets, classified as a “Sub-Saturn”—a category absent in our solar system. This makes it a unique subject for studying planetary formation and evolution.
Significant Achievement for Indian Astronomy

This marks the second exoplanet discovery using the advanced PARAS-2 spectrograph, attached to the 2.5-meter telescope at PRL's Mount Abu Observatory in Gurushikhar, Mount Abu.

It is also the fifth exoplanet detection using the combined efforts of the PARAS-1 and PARAS-2 spectrographs, underscoring India's growing expertise in astronomical instrumentation.

The PARAS-2 spectrograph is Asia's highest-resolution stabilised radial velocity (RV) spectrograph.

The precise RV data from PARAS-2, along with high-spatial resolution speckle imaging from PRL’s telescope, played a crucial role in confirming the planetary nature of the transit signal.
Insights into Planetary Formation and Migration

TOI-6038A b has a high density of 1.62 g/cm³, placing it among the denser sub-Saturns.

Scientists believe it formed through unique mechanisms such as high-eccentricity tidal migration (HEM) or early disk-driven migration.

The planet’s host star, TOI-6038A, is part of a binary system, with a companion K-type star, TOI-6038B, located 3217 AU (Astronomical Units) away.

The presence of this wide binary companion raises questions about its influence on the planet’s orbit.

"While the companion could influence the planet's orbit via secular perturbations, initial analyses suggest these effects may not fully explain its close-in orbit," ISRO said.

Notably, TOI-6038A b is only the fifth sub-Saturn exoplanet discovered in a binary system.
A Key Target for Future Research

Preliminary analysis of TOI-6038A b’s internal structure suggests it has a massive rocky core, making up approximately three-fourths (0.75) of its total mass, with the remaining mass consisting of a hydrogen-helium envelope.


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