TOI-733b is an intriguing exoplanet discovered by NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). It orbits a star similar in type to our Sun, located relatively close by in cosmic terms, at about 245 light-years away in the constellation of Hydra. TOI-733b is categorized as a sub-Neptune, meaning it is larger than Earth but significantly smaller than the ice giants of our solar system, like Neptune and Uranus.
One of the most interesting aspects of TOI-733b is its size and composition. The planet has a radius about 1.5 times that of Earth and its mass is calculated to be several times that of Earth, indicating it has a density that suggests a significant atmosphere, possibly rich in hydrogen and helium. This atmospheric composition hints that TOI-733b may have experienced atmospheric loss over time, perhaps due to photoevaporation—where radiation from its parent star strips away the atmosphere.
TOI-733b orbits very close to its host star, completing an orbit in just over 4 days. This proximity exposes the exoplanet to intense stellar radiation, which contributes to its high surface temperatures and potential atmospheric erosion. The study of such planets provides critical insights into planetary formation and evolution, particularly in understanding how so-called "super-Earths" and "mini-Neptunes" retain or lose their atmospheres over billions of years. Observations of TOI-733b help astronomers refine models of atmospheric composition and stability in exoplanets.
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