LTT 9779

system

LTT 9779 — a Sun-like star ~262 light-years away in Sculptor, host to the 'mirror planet': LTT 9779 b reflects most of the light that hits it — the highest albedo known for any planet — because its scorching dayside grows clouds of metal and silicate that glint like a mirror. Descend to explore this reflective world.

Open in 3D viewSee LTT 9779 in the live, interactive 3D map

Science

Classification

Type: Planetary system
Distance: ~262 light-years · its real distance from the Sun
Explore: Descend to see the star and its confirmed planets

How we know

Note: A real star system, shown at its measured position in the galaxy. Its star and confirmed planets — their measured sizes and how each was found — are on the cards inside; descend to explore them. Distances follow Gaia parallax; planet data follow the NASA Exoplanet Archive.

Discovery & history

Name: A designation from the Luyten Two-Tenths proper-motion catalogue (also TOI-193).

LTT 9779 b was found in 2020 transiting inside the 'hot-Neptune desert', where such planets were thought unable to survive. In 2023, Cheops and JWST measurements showed it reflects about 80% of its starlight — inferred to be metallic/silicate clouds condensing on the dayside, making it the shiniest planet known.

Images

Artist's concept of the 'mirror planet' LTT 9779 b, its reflective metal-and-silicate clouds glinting on the dayside (JWST) — an artist's impression, not a photograph. — NASA / ESA / CSA / R. Crawford (STScI) (CC BY 2.0) · Wikimedia Commons

Images from open archives · credit shown per image