Astronomers have uncovered the ‘‘Neptunian Ridge’’, a newly identified feature in the distribution of #exoplanets.
This discovery, highlights the complex dynamics within the Neptunian Desert, a region with a scarcity of hot Neptunes, and the Neptunian Savanna, where these #planets are more commonly found.
By understanding these critical zones, researchers gain valuable insights into the dynamic processes that influence the formation and evolution of close-in exoplanets.
To visualize the vast extent of exoplanetary systems, researchers often plot the distribution of #planets as a function of their radius and orbital period. It reveals patterns and regions of exoplanets with similar properties that astronomers try to understand.
One of the most puzzling regions is the ‘‘Neptunian Desert’’, where #Neptune-sized planets are surprisingly scarce.
This dearth of Neptunes in the distribution of planets orbiting close to their host #stars is thought to result from intense stellar radiation stripping away the #atmospheres of planets, eroding them and turning them into smaller planets.
#astronomy
https://astrobiology.com/2024/09/hidden-exoplanets-between-the-neptunian-desert-and-savanna.html