Astronomers discover mysterious 'Super-Venus' exoplanet 47 light-years away

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has helped astronomers discover a strange and unique planet, GJ 1214 b, nicknamed Enaiposha. This planet is located 47 light-years away from Earth and has a thick, cloudy atmosphere. Scientists say it is similar to Venus, the hottest planet in our Solar System, but much bigger.

When scientists first found Enaiposha, they thought it was a mini-Neptune, a small gas planet with an icy core. However, new observations show it is more like Venus because of its dense atmosphere and hot conditions. Its size and unusual features make it the first of its kind, leading scientists to call it a "Super-Venus."

Enaiposha’s atmosphere is so thick that it is hard to study directly. Light from its star struggles to pass through the haze, making it difficult to see what lies beneath. Still, the James Webb Telescope’s advanced tools have provided enough data to reveal its unique nature.

This discovery is important because it shows how diverse planets outside our Solar System can be. Enaiposha doesn’t fit into the usual categories of exoplanets, like Earth-like worlds or gas giants. Instead, it creates a new type, opening the door for further exploration and research.

Scientists hope that studying Enaiposha will give them a better understanding of other planets with dense atmospheres. The more they learn about this "Super-Venus," the more they can improve techniques for studying distant planets and their environments.