NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) has made an exciting discovery: two giant planets so light that their density rivals that of cotton candy. Named TOI-791 b and TOI-791 c, these planets are being hailed as the 'puffiest' ever found.

Meet the Super-Puffs

These fascinating worlds orbit a star similar to our Sun, known as TOI-791, located about 1,113 light-years away. TESS initially spotted them by detecting slight dimming in the star's brightness, a signal that happens when a planet passes in front of the star.

Unusual Characteristics

TOI-791 b is about the same size as Jupiter but weighs only 3% of Jupiter's mass, while TOI-791 c is even larger yet only has 5.9% of Jupiter's mass. This surprising lightness raises intriguing questions about how such planets can exist.

The Mystery of Their Formation

Jon Jenkins from NASA’s Ames Research Center explains that these planets challenge existing theories about giant planet formation. Their unexpected presence provides a unique puzzle for scientists to explore.

Long Orbital Periods

Both planets have lengthy orbits, with TOI-791 b completing a full circle around its star in 139 days and TOI-791 c taking 232 days. Finding planets with such long orbits is rare, as it requires extensive observations.