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TOI-561b: Lava World Reveals Surprising Atmosphere Discovery

12/30/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Astronomers have detected an atmosphere around TOI-561b, a lava world orbiting close to its star.
TOI-561b has a mass twice that of Earth and shows lower-than-expected temperatures, suggesting a dense atmosphere.
The discovery, published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters, relies on data from the James Webb Space Telescope.
Researchers indicate the planet's magma ocean could help maintain its atmosphere, but TOI-561b is not habitable.

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Story summary

Astronomers have detected an atmosphere around TOI-561b, a lava world orbiting close to its star.
TOI-561b has a mass twice that of Earth and shows lower-than-expected temperatures, suggesting a dense atmosphere.
The discovery, published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters, relies on data from the James Webb Space Telescope.
Researchers indicate the planet's magma ocean could help maintain its atmosphere, but TOI-561b is not habitable.