Discovery of TOI-6692b: A Giant Planet with a Highly Elliptical 130-Day Orbit

Star system: TOI-6692 | Distance from the Sun: 1013 light years

Astronomers have discovered a new giant planet named TOI-6692b, which is similar to Jupiter but follows a much more elongated, eccentric path around its star. While Earth takes a year to orbit the Sun in a nearly circular path, this massive world completes its orbit in 130 days, swinging in and out due to its oval-shaped trajectory.

Initially spotted by a single shadow it cast while passing in front of its star, its existence was confirmed using specialized telescopes that measure the gravitational tug a planet exerts on its host. Interestingly, the planet's unusual orbit suggests it wasn't always there; it likely reached its current position after a chaotic gravitational 'game of billiards' with other planets in the same system. Additionally, evidence suggests there may be another mysterious companion lurking even further out in this distant solar system.

Scientific study

TOI-6692b: An eccentric 130 day period giant planet with a single transit from TESS (external link)