Astronomers Discover Fourth Planet in Kepler-51's Unusual 'Super-Puff' System

The discovery of Kepler-51e sheds new light on the mysteries of ultra-low-density planets and their formation around a Sun-like star.

Kepler-51, a young star 2,615 light-years away, hosts four planets, including three ultra-low-density 'super-puff' planets previously identified.
The newly discovered planet, Kepler-51e, was inferred through transit timing variations caused by its gravitational influence on the other planets.
Kepler-51e has an estimated orbit of 264 days, placing it just inside the star's habitable zone, but its density and composition remain unknown as it has not yet been observed transiting.
The discovery challenges existing theories on how 'super-puff' planets form and retain their hydrogen-helium atmospheres despite their proximity to a young, luminous star.
Researchers are analyzing additional data from the James Webb Space Telescope to further study the system and explore the potential presence of more planets.