Researchers have been studying Neptunian exoplanets—planets that resemble our Neptune but exist beyond our solar system. They have identified a new region termed the ‘Neptunian Ridge.’ This ridge lies between what is known as the ‘Neptunian desert’ and the ‘Neptunian Savannah.’
A groundbreaking ‘map’ of distant planets has been created by scientists at The University of Warwick, revealing a ridge of planets in deep space that divides a barren desert of planets from a more densely populated savannah.
Scientists from Warwick, along with other universities, focused on Neptunian exoplanets—bodies resembling Neptune but located beyond our solar system.
They have identified a new area called the ‘Neptunian Ridge,’ which exists between the ‘Neptunian desert’ and the ‘Neptunian Savannah.’
In the desert region, planets are extremely scarce because they have lost their atmospheres due to intense radiation, reducing them to mere rocky remnants.
The savannah, however, is a zone further away from that radiation. In this area, conditions are much better, allowing planets to retain their atmospheres for millions of years.
The ridge represents a collection of planets located between these two areas, where there is a significant number of them.
Current data indicates that many planets in the ridge could have migrated from their original zones via a process known as high-eccentricity tidal migration, which can draw planets closer to their stars at various life stages.
On the other hand, planets residing in the savannah likely originated through a different process called disk-driven migration, which takes place shortly after their formation.
Thus, these two migration mechanisms are influencing the population of planets in the savannah and desert in distinct ways. The few planets found in the desert may be unusual extreme cases that challenge these broader models.
David Armstrong, an Associate Professor of Physics at Warwick, stated: “Our research in observing this new structure in space holds great importance in aiding us in mapping the landscape of exoplanets.”
“As scientists, we continuously strive to comprehend why planets are in their current states and how they came to be where they are.”
“The identification of the Neptunian Ridge provides insights into these inquiries, revealing a segment of the geography of exoplanets out there, making it a thrilling discovery.”
