Scientists have uncovered a new "mega-Earth" in extrasolar space, an unusually dense, rocky exoplanet.
Exoplanet GJ 523b, located beyond our solar system, is 2.5 times Earth's width and holds 23 times the mass of Earth, lending it to be dubbed a "mega-Earth," according to a research paper by a group of astronomers, per Space.com.
The astronomers have submitted the research paper to The Astronomical Journal and it has not yet been peer reviewed.
Here's what to know about the latest exoplanet discovery.
What 'mega-Earth' did scientists discover?
A group of astronomers have discovered a new exoplanet, GJ 523b, known as a "mega-Earth" for its dense mass, 23 times that of Earth, in a planet around 2.5 times the width of Earth, per a research paper submitted to The Astronomical Journal, according
to Space.com. The exoplanet is in a planetary system that is almost 170 million years old, per the research paper.
The dense, rocky exoplanet was first identified by NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, the findings noted.
The research paper has not been peer reviewed yet.
What is an exoplanet?
An exoplanet is a planet outside of our solar system, according to NASA. Astronomers have verified the existence of over 6,000, though the real number is likely in the billions, per the space agency.
What is NASA?
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or NASA, is a federal government agency based in Washington, D.C., focused on outer space exploration and research, according to its website.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: New 'mega-Earth' found in space. What did astronomers discover?
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