PSR J2322−2650
 This artist's concept shows what the exoplanet called PSR J2322-2650b (left) may look like as it orbits a rapidly spinning pulsar star called PSR J2322-2650 (right) | |
| Observation data Epoch J2000 Equinox ICRS | |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Sculptor[1] |
| Right ascension | 23h 22m 34.64s[2] |
| Declination | −26° 50′ 58.4″[2] |
| Characteristics | |
| Spectral type | Pulsar |
| Astrometry | |
| Proper motion (μ) | RA: -2.37 mas/yr Dec.: -8.2 mas/yr |
| Parallax (π) | 1.3 mas |
| Distance | 750 ly (230 pc) |
| Details | |
| Mass | 1.44 M☉ |
| Rotation | 3.4630991790879 ms |
| Age | 94.1 Gyr |
| Database references | |
| SIMBAD | data |
PSR J2322−2650 is a millisecond pulsar located approximately 750 light-years (230 parsecs) from Earth in the constellation Sculptor. It is notable for its low luminosity and for hosting a confirmed exoplanet, PSR J2322−2650 b, a Jupiter-mass object discovered through pulsar timing observations in 2017. The system is one of the few known examples of a pulsar with a surviving planetary companion, offering insights into planetary formation and survival in the aftermath of a supernova.[3][4]
In December 2025, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) provided the first detailed infrared observations of the exoplanet, revealing an exotic, carbon and helium dominated atmosphere that challenges conventional models of planetary formation.[5]
Planetary system
| Companion (in order from star) |
Mass | Semimajor axis (AU) |
Orbital period (days) |
Eccentricity | Inclination (°) |
Radius |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| b | ~0.7949 MJ | 0.0102 | 0.322964 | 0.0017 | — | — |
PSR J2322−2650 b
PSR J2322−2650 b is a tidally locked exoplanet discovered in 2017. In 2025, the James Webb Space Telescope found that the planet's atmosphere is dominated by helium and carbon, likely featuring clouds of carbon soot that condense to create diamonds, but an unexplained absence of nitrogen and oxygen.[6]
References
- ↑ Roman, Nancy G. (1987). "Identification of a constellation from a position". Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. 99 (617): 695. Bibcode:1987PASP...99..695R. doi:10.1086/132034. Constellation record for this object at VizieR.
- 1 2 "PSR J2322−2650". SIMBAD. Centre de données astronomiques de Strasbourg. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
- ↑ Spiewak, R; Bailes, M; Barr, E D; Bhat, N D R; Burgay, M; Cameron, A D; Champion, D J; Flynn, C M L; Jameson, A; Johnston, S; Keith, M J; Kramer, M; Kulkarni, S R; Levin, L; Lyne, A G (21 March 2018). "PSR J2322−2650 – a low-luminosity millisecond pulsar with a planetary-mass companion". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 475 (1): 469–477. arXiv:1712.04445. doi:10.1093/mnras/stx3157. ISSN 0035-8711.
- ↑ "PSR J2322-2650 | NASA Exoplanet Archive". exoplanetarchive.ipac.caltech.edu. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
- ↑ "NASA's Webb Observes Exoplanet Whose Composition Defies Explanation - NASA Science". 16 December 2025. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
- ↑ Robert Lea (2025-12-16). "James Webb Space Telescope discovers a lemon-shaped exoplanet unlike anything seen before: 'What the heck is this?'". Space. Retrieved 18 January 2026.
