The WASP-132 system features a hot Jupiter (foreground), an inner super-Earth (shown transiting the orange host star), and the planet WASP-132d, located in the outer region of the system. Credit: Thibaut Roger – University of Geneva
Hot Jupiters, massive planets orbiting perilously close to their stars, have long been thought to dominate their planetary systems, often ejecting or absorbing neighboring worlds during their inward migration. However, groundbreaking research led by the University of Geneva (UNIGE) has revealed a surprising twist: these gas giants don’t always destroy their cosmic companions. The finding of the WASP-132 system, a complex planetary arrangement featuring a hot Jupiter, an inner super-Earth, and an outer giant planet, challenges our understanding of planetary formation and evolution.
This remarkable system, studied by an international team including researchers from the universities of Bern and zurich, as well as institutions like the University of Warwick, was detailed in a recent publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics. The findings suggest that hot Jupiters may coexist with other planets, defying the long-held belief that their migration processes inevitably lead to the destruction of nearby worlds.
What Makes Hot Jupiters Unique?
Table of Contents
- 1. What Makes Hot Jupiters Unique?
- 2. A New Paradigm for Planetary Systems
- 3. Why This Discovery Matters
- 4. Unraveling the Mysteries of the WASP-132 Planetary System
- 5. A Journey of discovery
- 6. A Complex Planetary System
- 7. Ongoing Observations and Future Insights
- 8. Unlocking the Secrets of the WASP-132 Multiplanetary system
- 9. A Cold Giant and a Superhot Earth
- 10. Why This Discovery Matters
- 11. Looking ahead
- 12. How does the existence of a distant giant planet in the WASP-132 system challenge previous theories about hot Jupiter migration?
- 13. Hot Jupiters and Their Migration Mysteries
- 14. The WASP-132 System: A Diverse Planetary Lineup
- 15. A New Paradigm for Planetary Systems
- 16. Why This Discovery Matters
- 17. A Journey of Discovery
- 18. A Complex Planetary System
- 19. Ongoing Observations and Future insights
Hot Jupiters are gas giants with masses comparable to Jupiter but orbiting much closer to their host stars—often at distances even tighter than mercury’s orbit around the Sun. Their formation poses a puzzle: these planets likely originated farther out, where there was sufficient gas and dust to support their growth, before migrating inward. Until now, astronomers believed this migration process would disrupt or eliminate any neighboring planets, leaving hot Jupiters isolated.
“The WASP-132 system is an remarkable laboratory for studying the formation and evolution of multiplanetary systems,” researchers noted. This system includes a hot Jupiter completing an orbit every 7.1 days, a super-Earth six times the mass of Earth orbiting in just over 24 hours, and a massive outer planet five times Jupiter’s mass with a five-year orbit. Additionally, a distant brown dwarf—a celestial object straddling the line between planet and star—adds to the system’s complexity.
A New Paradigm for Planetary Systems
The discovery of WASP-132’s diverse planetary lineup suggests that hot Jupiters can coexist with other worlds, challenging the notion that their migration is inherently destructive. This finding opens new avenues for understanding how planetary systems evolve and retain their architecture over time.
“If hot Jupiters are not always alone in their planetary systems, then their migration processes must be different to preserve their system architecture,” the research team explained. The presence of an inner super-Earth and an outer giant planet alongside a hot Jupiter indicates that these systems can maintain stability despite the gravitational forces at play.
Why This Discovery Matters
The WASP-132 system offers a rare glimpse into the dynamics of multiplanetary systems. By studying its unique configuration, scientists can refine theories about planetary migration and the conditions that allow diverse worlds to coexist. This research not only deepens our understanding of hot Jupiters but also sheds light on the broader processes shaping planetary systems across the galaxy.
As astronomers continue to explore distant star systems, discoveries like WASP-132 remind us that the universe is full of surprises. The coexistence of hot Jupiters with other planets challenges long-standing assumptions and invites us to rethink the forces that shape the cosmos.
Unraveling the Mysteries of the WASP-132 Planetary System
the WASP-132 planetary system has become a focal point for astronomers seeking to understand the complexities of planet formation and migration.This system,which includes a hot Jupiter,a Super-Earth,and a distant giant planet,challenges existing theories and offers new insights into the dynamics of multiplanetary systems.
A Journey of discovery
The story of WASP-132 began in 2006 when the Wide Angle Planet Search (WASP) program identified the star as a potential host for exoplanets.By 2012, over 23,000 photometric measurements revealed a planetary candidate, WASP-132b, with a radius 0.87 times that of Jupiter and an orbital period of 7.1 days.
In 2014, the CORALIE spectrograph, mounted on the Swiss Euler telescope, began monitoring this candidate. Two years later, WASP-132b was confirmed, with its mass measured at 0.41 times that of Jupiter. CORALIE also hinted at the presence of other giant planets with substantially longer orbital periods.
In late 2021,NASA’s TESS space telescope detected a Super-Earth orbiting the same star. This planet, with a diameter 1.8 times that of Earth, completes an orbit every 1.01 days. By mid-2022, the HARPS spectrograph at the La Silla Observatory measured its mass, revealing it to be six times that of Earth.
“The detection of the interior of a Super-Earth is very exciting,” explains Nolan Grieves, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Geneva and lead author of the study. “We had to conduct an intensive campaign using HARPS and optimized signal processing to characterize its mass,density,and composition,thereby revealing a planet with a density similar to Earth.”
A Complex Planetary System
The WASP-132 system is unique in its configuration. The presence of a hot Jupiter, an inner Super-Earth, and a distant giant planet defies the standard hypothesis of inward migration, which would typically destabilize the orbits of neighboring planets. Instead,the system suggests a more stable “cold” migration path within the protoplanetary disk,allowing the planets to coexist harmoniously.
Precise measurements of the planets’ radii and masses have enabled scientists to determine their densities and compositions. WASP-132b, the hot Jupiter, shows notable enrichment of heavy elements, consistent with gas giant formation models. Meanwhile,the Super-Earth is composed primarily of metals and silicates,making it strikingly similar to Earth in composition.
“The combination of a hot Jupiter, an inner Super-Earth, and an outer giant planet in the same system provides crucial constraints on the theory of planet formation and, in particular, on their migration processes,” says Ravit Helled, a professor at the University of Zurich and co-author of the study.
Ongoing Observations and Future Insights
Observations of the WASP-132 system are far from over. Since 2014, ESA’s Gaia satellite has been tracking minute variations in the star’s position, aiming to uncover additional companions, including a potential outer brown dwarf. These long-term, high-precision observations are crucial for unraveling the system’s full complexity.
The WASP-132 system underscores the diversity of planetary systems and the need for continued exploration. As françois Bouchy, a professor at the University of Geneva, notes, “This is the first time we have observed this type of configuration. The presence of a distant giant planet calls into question our understanding of the formation and evolution of this system.”
With each new discovery, astronomers are piecing together the intricate puzzle of planet formation, migration, and evolution. The WASP-132 system serves as a reminder of the vast and varied nature of the cosmos, offering endless opportunities for exploration and understanding.
Unlocking the Secrets of the WASP-132 Multiplanetary system
In a groundbreaking discovery, astronomers have unveiled new details about the WASP-132 multiplanetary system, shedding light on the fascinating dynamics of distant worlds. This system, located light-years away from Earth, has become a focal point for researchers studying planetary formation and evolution. The latest findings, published in Astronomy and Astrophysics in 2025, reveal the presence of a cold giant planet and provide precise measurements of a superhot Earth-like planet within the same system.
A Cold Giant and a Superhot Earth
The discovery of a cold giant planet in the WASP-132 system challenges previous assumptions about the diversity of planetary environments. Unlike the scorching “hot jupiters” often found orbiting close to their stars, this cold giant resides farther out, where temperatures are significantly lower. Its existence suggests that planetary systems can host a wide range of conditions, even within the same stellar neighborhood.
Equally intriguing is the superhot Earth-like planet, which orbits much closer to its star. Researchers have successfully measured its mass, providing critical insights into its composition and potential habitability. “not all hot Jupiters orbit alone,” as noted in the study, emphasizing the complexity of planetary systems and the surprises they continue to reveal.
Why This Discovery Matters
Understanding the WASP-132 system is more than an academic exercise—it offers a glimpse into the broader mechanisms of planetary formation. By studying systems like this, scientists can refine their models of how planets evolve and interact within their stellar environments. The cold giant, for instance, raises questions about the migration patterns of planets, while the superhot Earth provides a unique laboratory for studying extreme atmospheric conditions.
These findings also have implications for the search for life beyond our solar system. While the superhot Earth is unlikely to support life as we certainly know it, its discovery highlights the importance of exploring diverse planetary environments. Each new discovery brings us closer to identifying perhaps habitable worlds.
Looking ahead
The study of the WASP-132 system is far from over. Future observations will focus on refining the measurements of these planets and exploring other potential members of the system. As technology advances, astronomers hope to uncover even more details about these distant worlds, from their atmospheric compositions to their geological features.
For now, the discovery of the cold giant and the superhot Earth stands as a testament to the power of modern astronomy. It reminds us that the universe is full of surprises, waiting to be uncovered by curious minds and cutting-edge tools.
“not all hot Jupiters orbit alone, according to observations.”
for further reading, the full study is available in Astronomy and Astrophysics (2025) with the DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/202348177.
How does the existence of a distant giant planet in the WASP-132 system challenge previous theories about hot Jupiter migration?
The WASP-132 multiplanetary system has emerged as a remarkable laboratory for astronomers, offering new insights into the complexities of planetary formation, migration, and evolution. This system, which includes a hot Jupiter, a Super-Earth, and a distant giant planet, challenges long-held theories and reveals unexpected dynamics in multiplanetary systems.
Hot Jupiters and Their Migration Mysteries
Hot Jupiters are gas giants with masses comparable to Jupiter but orbiting much closer to their host stars—often at distances even tighter than Mercury’s orbit around the Sun. their formation poses a puzzle: these planets likely originated farther out, where there was sufficient gas and dust to support their growth, before migrating inward. Until now, astronomers believed this migration process would disrupt or eliminate any neighboring planets, leaving hot Jupiters isolated.
The WASP-132 System: A Diverse Planetary Lineup
The WASP-132 system defies this notion.It includes:
- A hot Jupiter completing an orbit every 7.1 days.
- A Super-Earth, six times the mass of earth, orbiting in just over 24 hours.
- A massive outer planet five times Jupiter’s mass with a five-year orbit.
- A distant brown dwarf, straddling the line between planet and star, adding further complexity.
This diverse lineup suggests that hot jupiters can coexist with other worlds, challenging the belief that their migration is inherently destructive.
A New Paradigm for Planetary Systems
The presence of an inner Super-Earth and an outer giant planet alongside a hot Jupiter indicates that these systems can maintain stability despite the gravitational forces at play. This revelation opens new avenues for understanding how planetary systems evolve and retain their architecture over time.
Why This Discovery Matters
The WASP-132 system offers a rare glimpse into the dynamics of multiplanetary systems. By studying its unique configuration, scientists can refine theories about planetary migration and the conditions that allow diverse worlds to coexist. This research not only deepens our understanding of hot Jupiters but also sheds light on the broader processes shaping planetary systems across the galaxy.
A Journey of Discovery
the story of WASP-132 began in 2006 when the wide Angle Search for Planets (WASP) program identified the star as a potential host for exoplanets. By 2012, over 23,000 photometric measurements revealed a planetary candidate, WASP-132b, with a radius 0.87 times that of Jupiter and an orbital period of 7.1 days. In 2014, the CORALIE spectrograph began monitoring this candidate, and by 2016, WASP-132b was confirmed, with its mass measured at 0.41 times that of Jupiter. CORALIE also hinted at the presence of other giant planets with substantially longer orbital periods.
In late 2021, NASA’s TESS space telescope detected a Super-Earth orbiting the same star. this planet, with a diameter 1.8 times that of Earth, completes an orbit every 1.01 days. By mid-2022, the HARPS spectrograph at the La Silla Observatory measured its mass, revealing it to be six times that of Earth.
A Complex Planetary System
The WASP-132 system is unique in its configuration. The presence of a hot Jupiter, an inner Super-Earth, and a distant giant planet defies the standard hypothesis of inward migration, which would typically destabilize the orbits of neighboring planets. Instead, the system suggests a more stable “cold” migration path within the protoplanetary disk, allowing the planets to coexist harmoniously.
Precise measurements of the planets’ radii and masses have enabled scientists to determine their densities and compositions. WASP-132b, the hot Jupiter, shows notable enrichment of heavy elements, consistent with gas giant formation models.Meanwhile, the Super-Earth is composed primarily of metals and silicates, making it strikingly similar to Earth in composition.
Ongoing Observations and Future insights
Observations of the WASP-132 system are far from over. Since 2014, ESA’s Gaia satellite has been tracking minute variations in the star’s position, aiming to uncover additional companions, including a potential outer brown dwarf. These long-term, high-precision observations are crucial for unraveling the system’s full complexity.
The WASP-132 system underscores the diversity of planetary systems and the need for continued exploration. As François Bouchy, a professor at the University of Geneva, notes, “this is the first time we have observed this type of configuration. The presence of a distant giant planet calls into question our understanding of the formation and evolution of this system.”
With each new discovery, astronomers are piecing together the intricate puzzle of planet formation, migration, and evolution. The WASP-132 system serves as a reminder of the vast and varied nature of the cosmos, offering endless opportunities for exploration and understanding.
