Discover the Stunning ‘Second Jupiter’: Exoplanet Spotted 60 Light-Years Away – June 23, 2025 Space Photo of the Day!

Exoplanets are fascinating worlds that lie beyond our solar system. Astronomers are keen to study them because they can reveal secrets about how the universe formed and whether life exists elsewhere.

One exciting exoplanet is GJ 504 b. This giant planet is about three to six times the mass of Jupiter, leading some astronomy enthusiasts to call it the “second Jupiter.” What’s particularly interesting is its distance from its star, GJ 504, located in the Virgo constellation, roughly 60 light-years away. The planet orbits at a distance equivalent to 44 astronomical units, similar to the distance between our Sun and Pluto.

A team working on the Strategic Explorations of Exoplanets and Disks with Subaru (SEEDS) project successfully captured a striking image of GJ 504 b. Using a specially designed coronagraph, they filtered out the brightness of the star to clearly observe the planet. This breakthrough allows scientists to study the atmospheric conditions of exoplanets, like GJ 504 b, which has a temperature of about 500 Kelvin (around 440°F or 230°C). Notably, its atmosphere contains fewer clouds compared to many other known exoplanets.

The study of exoplanets like GJ 504 b is crucial. According to a 2023 survey by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), over 5,000 exoplanets have been confirmed so far, showcasing the vast diversity of worlds out there. These discoveries have sparked a surge of interest on social media, with hashtags like #ExoplanetExploration trending among science enthusiasts.

Experts believe these observations will help us better understand planetary formation and even the potential for life beyond Earth. As research continues, scientists hope to uncover more about our universe through the lens of these distant worlds. For more detailed information about exoplanet exploration and GJ 504 b, you can visit NASA’s exoplanet archive.



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