Astronomers discover a giant, rocky 'mega-Earth' 23 times more massive than our planet

Astronomers have discovered a massive exoplanet named GJ 523b, which is 23 times more massive than Earth. This unusually dense planet, described as a "mega-Earth," raises questions about planetary formation. GJ 523b is about 2.55 times wider than Earth and orbits its star every 17.75 days. The planet's formation is puzzling because it's larger than expected for a rocky world, challenging conventional theories.

Researchers believe it could have formed with a thick atmosphere that was later stripped away or through a collision with another planet, creating a rocky world while blasting gas into space. More discoveries like GJ 523b could help understand whether these unusual planets are rare or part of a larger group.