A team of scientists has discovered a strikingly unique exoplanet, designated PSR J2322-2650b, which possesses a lemon-like shape and challenges existing theories about planetary formation. This unusual find was made using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, with findings published in *The Astrophysical Journal Letters*. Researchers have noted that PSR J2322-2650b exhibits properties that are in “stark contrast” to all known exoplanets orbiting main-sequence stars, indicating a need for a reevaluation of our understanding of how planets develop.
Unprecedented Orbital Dynamics
PSR J2322-2650b orbits a pulsar, a highly dense neutron star that spins rapidly and emits beams of electromagnetic radiation, similar to a lighthouse. This exoplanet is approximately the mass of Jupiter but is located merely 1 million miles from its pulsar—a striking difference compared to the Earth’s distance from the Sun, which is about 100 million miles. Due to this proximity, PSR J2322-2650b completes a full orbit in just 7.8 hours.
Michael Zhang, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Chicago and coauthor of the study, described the pulsar as “the mass of the sun, but the size of a city.” The gravitational pull from the pulsar is so intense that it deforms the planet into its lemon shape.
A Mysterious Atmosphere
One of the most intriguing aspects of PSR J2322-2650b is its atmosphere, which has never been observed before. Zhang noted that rather than the typical molecules expected on an exoplanet—such as water, methane, or carbon dioxide—the atmosphere is dominated by helium and carbon compounds, specifically C3 and C2. This unique composition raises questions about the planet’s origins and its environmental conditions.
According to reports from *Space.com*, the atmosphere likely contains clouds of carbon soot that could condense into diamonds, creating a surreal weather phenomenon. Zhang highlighted the peculiar absence of nitrogen and oxygen, common elements found in other exoplanet atmospheres, stating, “Everywhere in the universe, where there’s carbon, there tends to be nitrogen and oxygen.”
These anomalies provoke further inquiry into the formation process of PSR J2322-2650b. Theories suggest that it might be the stripped remains of a former star due to its unusual composition. However, this hypothesis does not clarify the missing nitrogen and oxygen.
The star-exoplanet duo is classified as a “black widow system,” a rare configuration where a rapidly spinning pulsar interacts with a low-mass stellar companion. In such systems, the pulsar can erode and consume its companion with jets of radiation, leading some researchers to speculate that PSR J2322-2650b may be in its final stages of existence.
Zhang remarked, “Did this thing form like a normal planet? No, because the composition is entirely different.” As scientists continue to study PSR J2322-2650b, they face the challenge of deciphering its origins and understanding the broader implications for planetary formation theories.
This discovery not only adds to the catalog of known exoplanets but also highlights the complex and diverse nature of planetary systems throughout the universe. As research progresses, PSR J2322-2650b may redefine our understanding of what constitutes a planet and how they can evolve in extreme environments.
