Jupiter: smaller than TrES-4. Photograph: AFP/Getty
Sometimes I read something and, frankly, it blows my mind. Take the story about a new "exoplanet" that's been discovered called TrES-4; a gas giant which is 70% larger than Jupiter.
The orb was spotted by the Transatlantic Exoplanet Survey (hence the name) but has scientists befuddled as to how it can remain despite having such a low density. According to the BBC:
"We continue to be surprised by how relatively large these giant planets can be," says Francis O'Donovan, a graduate student in astronomy at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) which operates one of the TrES telescopes.
"But if we can explain the sizes of these bloated planets in their harsh environments, it may help us better understand our own Solar System planets and their formation."
Its density of 0.2 grams per cubic centimetre is so low that the planet would, in theory, float on water.
There's the mind-blowing part: a whole planet that could Float On Water.
Crikey.
