NASA discovers mysterious “super-Earth” that emits strange signals and may hold water – NaturalNews.com

• NASA discovered a mysterious “super-Earth,” TOI-1846 b, emitting repeating signals and defying classification due to its rare “radius gap” size that sits between rocky and gaseous planets.
• The planet orbits a red dwarf star, with scorching 600°F temperatures but potential water hidden in shadowed regions or beneath its surface.
• An international team confirmed its existence using TESS and ground-based observations, suggesting a hybrid structure with a dense core and possible ice or thin atmosphere.
• Scientists suspect tidal locking and geothermal activity could sustain subsurface oceans, similar to Jupiter’s moon Europa.
• NASA plans to study TOI-1846 b’s atmosphere with the James Webb Telescope, searching for water and clues about habitability in extreme environments.

NASA has uncovered a bizarre “super-Earth” emitting a repeating signal from deep space, raising urgent questions about its composition—and whether it could defy expectations by harboring water despite extreme heat. The planet, designated TOI-1846 b, sits 154 light-years away in the constellation Lyra, orbiting a dim red dwarf star. Nearly twice the size of Earth and four times as massive, this world occupies a rare planetary “radius gap,” blurring the line between rocky and gaseous planets. First detected by NASA’s TESS space telescope in March 2025, the discovery has now been confirmed by an international team of scientists. With scorching surface temperatures of 600°F, how could water exist here? And what secrets might its atmosphere reveal?

A planet in the “radius gap”

TOI-1846 b defies easy classification. It falls into the elusive “radius gap,” a mysterious zone where few planets are found—too large to be purely rocky like Earth, yet too small to be gas-dominated like Neptune. Researchers suggest it may have a solid core wrapped in dense ice, possibly topped by a shallow ocean or thin atmosphere.

“We have validated TOI-1846 b using TESS and multicolor ground-based photometric data, high-resolution imaging, and spectroscopic observations,” said Abderahmane Soubkiou, lead researcher at Morocco’s Oukaimeden Observatory. The planet’s density hints at a hybrid structure, challenging assumptions about planetary formation.

Red dwarfs, like TOI-1846 b’s host star, are cooler and smaller than our sun, forcing planets into tight orbits for warmth. This proximity makes them easier to detect as they transit, dimming their star’s light. TESS, launched in 2018, has identified more than 7,600 such transit events, confirming 630+ exoplanets. Its four high-sensitivity cameras scan the sky every 30 minutes, making it ideal for catching faint dips like those from TOI-1846 b.

Tidally locked—but hiding water?

The planet is likely tidally locked, with one side perpetually facing its star while the other remains in darkness. This extreme temperature divide could allow water to persist in shadowed regions, depending on atmospheric circulation. While the dayside roasts at 600°F, the nightside might be cold enough to trap ice or liquid water beneath a protective layer. Scientists speculate that tidal forces or geothermal activity could sustain subsurface oceans, akin to Jupiter’s moon Europa.

NASA plans to deploy the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to probe TOI-1846 b’s atmosphere for water vapor, methane, or carbon dioxide. Ground-based observatories like Hawaii’s Gemini North are already assisting, using the MAROON-X instrument to measure the star’s wobble—confirming the planet’s mass and hunting for hidden neighbors. Intriguingly, gravitational anomalies suggest another planet may lurk in the system, possibly in a cooler, more habitable zone.

Why red dwarfs matter

Red dwarfs make up 75% of Milky Way stars, making them prime targets in the search for habitable worlds. Their dimness allows easier detection of small planets, and their longevity means stable conditions could persist for billions of years. TOI-1846 b’s discovery follows another recent find: TOI-715 b, a super-Earth 137 light-years away. Both planets help scientists unravel why some worlds lose their atmospheres while others retain them—a key question in assessing habitability.

The JWST’s infrared capabilities could soon decode TOI-1846 b’s atmospheric chemistry. If water or organic molecules are found, it would bolster theories about life’s potential in extreme environments. Even if the planet itself is uninhabitable, studying its composition refines models for identifying Earth-like worlds.

TOI-1846 b is more than a cosmic oddity; it’s a test case for planetary science. Its position in the radius gap, potential water reserves, and mysterious signals make it a high-priority target for future research. As NASA and global astronomers peel back its layers, each discovery brings us closer to answering one of humanity’s oldest questions: Are we alone in the universe? For now, TOI-1846 b stands as a tantalizing clue in the vast puzzle of the cosmos.

Sources for this article include:

DailyMail.co.uk

Earth.com

TheSun.ie