NASA has discovered TOI-1846 b, a mysterious super-Earth 154 light-years away. Nearly twice Earth's size and orbiting a red dwarf every four days, it emits a strange repeated signal. Despite a scorching 600°F temperature, it may hold water. Scientists hope the James Webb Telescope will reveal details about its atmosphere and composition.
In a groundbreaking discovery, NASA has identified a strange and potentially revealing signal from a distant "super-Earth" planet located 154 light-years from Earth. The planet, designated TOI-1846 b, is generating significant interest among scientists due to its unusual light signature and intriguing physical characteristics.
TOI-1846 b was first spotted by NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), which detected periodic dimming in the light of a nearby red dwarf star. This pattern, which appears annually every March, suggested the presence of a planet orbiting the star and briefly blocking its light as it passed in front—an event known as a transit.
Now confirmed by follow-up observations from both space-based and ground-based telescopes, the planet has been officially classified as a "super-Earth"—a category referring to planets larger than Earth but smaller than ice giants like Neptune. Measuring almost twice Earth’s diameter and estimated to be four times more massive, TOI-1846 b orbits its host star once every four days, indicating it lies very close to the star.
What has captivated astronomers, however, is not just the planet’s size and orbit but the repeated nature of the light signal—described as a mysterious dip in brightness that occurs with unusual regularity. While the dimming pattern is consistent with a planetary transit, the precise cause and nature of the repeated signal still puzzle scientists.
TOI-1846 b is particularly intriguing because it falls into the so-called "radius gap"—a zone where planets tend to be either small and rocky like Earth or large and gas-dominated like Neptune, with few in-between. This makes TOI-1846 b an especially rare and valuable object for study.
Although the planet's surface temperature is estimated to be around 600 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 315°C), it may still retain water in some form. Researchers hypothesize that TOI-1846 b could have a solid rocky core enveloped by a dense ice layer, with the possibility of a thin atmosphere or even a shallow ocean. These features could provide vital clues about planetary formation and the potential for habitability in harsh environments.
The planet’s host star is a cool red dwarf—smaller and dimmer than our Sun—making it easier for astronomers to study planetary transits and atmospheric characteristics. Red dwarfs are known for their long lifespans and frequent exoplanet discoveries, offering fertile ground for future research.
NASA scientists are now preparing for a more in-depth investigation of TOI-1846 b using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). By observing the planet in infrared light, Webb will be able to analyze its atmosphere—if one exists—with remarkable precision. Researchers hope to detect molecular signatures such as water vapor, methane, carbon dioxide, or other gases that could provide insights into the planet’s composition and evolutionary history.
"This is an exciting target for JWST," said Dr. Eliza Hernandez, an exoplanet researcher with NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. "If TOI-1846 b has an atmosphere, Webb could help us understand what it’s made of—and whether it holds clues about the planet’s origin or even its capacity to support some form of life."
As astronomers await data from JWST, TOI-1846 b stands as another reminder of the rich diversity of worlds beyond our solar system—and the mysteries they continue to unveil.
