Astronomers discover a water-rich exoplanet that will be swallowed by its star

The number of new exoplanets discovered continues to grow, particularly thanks to observations from various space telescopes. But sometimes, astronomers detect new worlds that face a tragic fate and that could foreshadow the future of Earth. 

This is the case with HD 176071 b, an exoplanet located about 335 light-years away. Its size is about two and a half times that of Earth, and its mass is about eight and a half times greater. Astronomers believe it is composed of about 50% water and orbits its star, HD 176071, at a distance of about 2.4 million kilometers.

But this proximity to its host star is also a burden. Indeed, this exoplanet is subjected to very strong tidal forces, which are driving it toward its star. 

Other factors make HD 176071 b intriguing. According to researchers, this exoplanet is located in the Neptunian Desert, a region close to stars where Neptune-sized planets are rare. In addition, it has a dynamic atmosphere that does not appear to have been stripped away by its host star, as explained by Sylvain N. Breton of the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF):

"This tells us that we are not looking at a static photograph, but a living and changing atmosphere, in which dense, highly reflective clouds form, evolve, and move along the planet's coldest edges."

Furthermore, to detect it, they had to observe and study the starlight reflected off this exoplanet. HD 176071 b is also tidally locked, with one side constantly illuminated and the other constantly in darkness.