Scientists using the James Webb Space Telescope just made a wild discovery about an exoplanet named Epsilon Indi Ab, located 12 light-years from Earth. They found that its atmosphere smells like urine!
In April 2026, researchers revealed that this gas giant has cirrus clouds filled with ammonia, a chemical known for its pungent odor. Ammonia is also a component found in the urine of humans and animals. Epsilon Indi Ab has been on scientists’ radar since it was first spotted in 2002 and confirmed in 2018. According to NASA, exoplanets like this one orbit stars outside our solar system.
Over the years, experts have studied Epsilon Indi Ab closely. They initially believed it would have a thick atmosphere rich in ammonia, similar to Jupiter. Although they found less ammonia than expected, the gas still gives the planet its unusual reputation—social media users quickly dubbed it the “Piss Planet.”
Interestingly, these cirrus-like clouds on Epsilon Indi Ab are distinct from Earth’s. While ours mainly contain water vapor, the clouds there are laced with ammonia. Imagine stepping outside and being hit by a smell reminiscent of a full litter box!
The internet had a field day with this find. Users around the globe are having fun with the quirky nickname and sharing jokes about it. One tweet cleverly exclaimed, “PISS PLANET FOUND,” capturing the absurdity and excitement of the discovery.
Astronomer James Mang highlighted the significance of this finding. He noted that “This reveals new layers of complexity… allowing us to probe the structure of these atmospheres.” This means we’re not just learning about Epsilon Indi Ab, but potentially opening doors to understanding many other distant worlds.
Epsilon Indi Ab is classified as a “super-Jupiter.” It is significantly larger than our Jupiter, with several times its mass, and it orbits a cooler type of star known as a K-type star. The study of such planets enhances our knowledge of different planetary systems and how they form.
This quirky discovery adds to the list of funny space-related revelations. Just recently, scientists warned that the Artemis II crew needs to be cautious about the risks posed by their bodily gases during missions.
For more in-depth information about Epsilon Indi Ab, you can check NASA’s own exoplanet catalog.
These discoveries remind us that the universe is full of surprises, often in incredibly unexpected ways!
