James Webb Space Telescope has discovered one of the most unusual and extreme exoplanets ever observed. Named PSR J2322-2650b, the planet is located around 2,000 light-years from Earth and has stunned scientists due to its distinct lemon-like shape, extreme temperatures, and chemically rare atmosphere.
This discovery challenges existing theories of planetary formation and survival in hostile cosmic environments.
James Webb Discovers Lemon-Shaped Exoplanet PSR J2322-2650b
An Extreme Planet in a Hostile Orbit
PSR J2322-2650b does not orbit a normal star. Instead, it revolves around a millisecond pulsar, which is the ultra-dense remnant of a collapsed star. Although the pulsar has nearly the same mass as the Sun, it is compressed into a region roughly the size of a city.
The planet completes one full orbit in just 7.8 hours, at a distance of approximately one million miles, placing it under intense gravitational pull and continuous radiation.
Record-Breaking Temperatures and Tidal Stress
Due to its extremely close orbit, PSR J2322-2650b experiences massive temperature differences:
- About 3,700°F on the side facing the pulsar
- Around 1,200°F on the opposite side
These extreme conditions generate powerful tidal forces, stretching the planet along its orbit and giving it a non-spherical, lemon-like shape. This tidal deformation is among the strongest ever observed in an exoplanet.
A Chemically Unique Atmosphere
James Webb’s infrared instruments revealed a highly unusual atmosphere. Unlike most known exoplanets, PSR J2322-2650b lacks common gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, water vapour, and methane.
Instead, its atmosphere is dominated by:
- Carbon compounds (C₂ and C₃)
- Helium
This makes it chemically distinct from over 150 exoplanets studied so far.
Carbon Clouds and Scientific Mystery
Observations suggest the presence of carbon-rich soot clouds, with internal pressures possibly allowing carbon crystallisation. Current planetary models cannot fully explain how such a chemically pure carbon planet formed or survived near a pulsar.
As a result, PSR J2322-2650b has become a key object for future research and highlights gaps in present-day planetary science.
Exam-Oriented Key Facts
- PSR J2322-2650b is located about 2,000 light-years from Earth
- It orbits a millisecond pulsar, not a normal star
- Orbital period is approximately 7.8 hours
- The planet has a lemon-like shape due to tidal deformation
- Atmosphere is rich in carbon compounds and helium
- Discovered using the James Webb Space Telescope
Question & Answer
Q1. Which space telescope discovered the lemon-shaped exoplanet PSR J2322-2650b?
(a) Hubble Space Telescope
(b) Kepler Space Telescope
(c) James Webb Space Telescope
(d) Spitzer Space Telescope
Answer: James Webb Space Telescope
Q2. PSR J2322-2650b orbits which type of celestial object?
(a) Main-sequence star
(b) Red giant
(c) White dwarf
(d) Millisecond pulsar
Answer: Millisecond pulsar
Q3. What is the orbital period of exoplanet PSR J2322-2650b?
(a) 24 hours
(b) 12 hours
(c) 7.8 hours
(d) 48 hours
Answer: 7.8 hours
Q4. What causes the lemon-like shape of PSR J2322-2650b?
(a) Magnetic storms
(b) Atmospheric pressure
(c) Volcanic activity
(d) Tidal deformation
Answer: Tidal deformation
Q5. Which element dominates the atmosphere of PSR J2322-2650b?
(a) Oxygen
(b) Nitrogen
(c) Hydrogen
(d) Carbon
Answer: Carbon
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