Remarkable Discovery: Scientists Uncover Record-Breaking Super-Earth with Lead-Like Density

The K2-360 system, located approximately 750 light-years from Earth, features a dense "super-Earth" (K2-360 b) and a massive outer planet (K2-360 c), revealing crucial insights into planetary evolution. A study led by an international team of scientists published in Nature Scientific Reports on November 8 details these findings. K2-360 b, about 1.6 times the size of Earth, orbits its Sun-like star every 21 hours and has a mass 7.7 times that of Earth, making it the densest ultra-short period planet recorded. This extreme density suggests it could be the core remaining after a larger planet lost its outer layers due to intense stellar radiation. K2-360 c is larger, with a minimum mass of 15 Earth masses, and orbits every 9.8 days, though its exact size is uncertain. The dynamics of the system indicate that K2-360 c may have influenced K2-360 b's tight orbit through gravitational interactions. The dense, potentially molten surface of K2-360 b, alongside its iron-rich composition, offers valuable data on the characteristics and formation processes of rocky planets in extreme environments. This discovery enhances our understanding of how planets evolve and interact within their systems.

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