NASA Finds Strange Super-Earth Sending Repeating Light Signal

Photo: WAM

NASA has discovered a mysterious planet far beyond our solar system. This planet, called TOI-1846 b, is what scientists call a "super-Earth" — it's almost twice the size of our own planet and four times heavier. But what really makes it interesting is a strange signal that keeps flashing from it, over and over again, every year.

This unusual discovery was made 154 light-years away from Earth — that means light from this planet takes 154 years to reach us. Even though it is very far away, space scientists have been able to study it using powerful telescopes. And what they are seeing is very strange.

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What Is TOI-1846 b?

TOI-1846 b is a type of planet called a super-Earth, which means it is larger than Earth but smaller than Neptune. It's not the same as our home planet, but it might share some similar features.

Here’s what we know about it:

• It is almost twice the size of Earth

• It is about four times more massive

• It orbits a small, cool red dwarf star

• It completes one full orbit every four Earth days

• Its surface temperature is about 600°F (316°C)

Even with that high temperature, scientists think it might still have water in some form—maybe trapped under the surface or floating as vapor in its atmosphere.

The Strange Signal That Caught NASA’s Eye

Back in March of 2022, NASA’s TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) spotted something strange. It was watching a star (the red dwarf mentioned earlier) when it noticed a regular dip in the star’s brightness. This means something was passing in front of the star again and again — something like a planet.

This dip happened in March every year, and it followed the same pattern. That’s a clue that a planet is circling the star very closely. After observing the signal again and again, scientists confirmed that it wasn’t a mistake. It was real.

And that’s how TOI-1846 b was discovered.

What Makes This Planet So Special?

This planet is not just another rock floating in space. It falls into what scientists call the "radius gap" — a rare type of planet that’s right in between small, rocky planets like Earth and big gas planets like Neptune.

Planets in the radius gap are uncommon. They give scientists a chance to study how planets form and change over time. They also help us understand which planets could support life or water.

What Is the Planet Made Of?

Even though scientists can’t land on TOI-1846 b, they can still make guesses about what it’s made of. Based on its size, mass, and temperature, they think the planet might have:

• A solid rocky core

• A layer of dense ice

• Possibly a thin ocean or a shallow layer of water

• Maybe even a thin atmosphere

This means that even though the planet is very hot, water might still exist under special conditions. And where there’s water, there might be the potential for life, or at least signs of chemical activity.

What Kind of Star Does It Orbit?

TOI-1846 b orbits a red dwarf star, which is smaller and cooler than our Sun. In fact, it’s about 40% smaller in size and mass compared to the Sun.

Red dwarfs are very common in our galaxy, and they are often the stars that scientists study when they are looking for planets outside our solar system. Since they are smaller and dimmer, it’s easier to notice the light dips caused by orbiting planets.

Could There Be Life on TOI-1846 b?

Right now, no one knows for sure. The planet is very hot, which makes it less likely for life as we know it. But because of its possible ice and atmosphere, scientists haven’t ruled it out completely.

Some researchers believe that the planet could have water vapor, methane, or carbon dioxide — all of which are gases that are linked with life or with interesting chemistry.

What Will the James Webb Space Telescope Do?

NASA hopes that the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) will soon take a closer look at TOI-1846 b. Webb can see light in the infrared spectrum, which allows it to study a planet’s atmosphere in great detail.

If the Webb Telescope can observe this planet, it might be able to find:

• Water vapor (a sign that water exists)

• Methane or carbon dioxide (gases that might hint at life or volcanic activity)

• Chemical patterns that tell us how the planet formed

This could be the next big step in finding out if TOI-1846 b is just a hot rock — or something much more interesting.

Why This Discovery Matters

Even though there are thousands of exoplanets discovered so far, each one adds a new piece to the cosmic puzzle. TOI-1846 b is exciting because:

• It lies in a rare “radius gap” category

• It sends out a repeating signal that caught NASA’s attention

• It could teach us more about planets that may have some form of water

• It helps scientists test new tools like JWST to explore distant worlds

Discoveries like this bring us one step closer to answering some of the biggest questions humans have ever asked:

• Are we alone in the universe?

• Can other planets support life?

• How do different planets form and survive in harsh environments?

TOI-1846 b is not just a planet with a strange name. It’s a mysterious world, far away from us, that is helping us understand more about space, planets, and possibly even life.

With powerful telescopes and growing interest in exoplanet research, discoveries like this remind us how small we are, yet how much we are learning about the huge universe around us.

NASA and its scientists continue their work, and we might soon get more answers about this “super-Earth” and other hidden planets waiting to be found in the sky.