Astronomers have discovered what may be the largest planet yet found—an orb that’s 36 percent wider than Jupiter and that circles a nearby star. Researchers say that they’re baffled by the giant extrasolar body, which has the lowest density of any known planet.
BIG! Planet HAT-P-1b closely orbits its orange-glowing parent star, while a partner star lies in the distance in this illustration.
Log in
Subscribers, enter your e-mail address for full access to the Science News archives and digital editions.