A distant exoplanet mysteriously vanished from sight. Astronomers just discovered why

Astronomers have unraveled the mystery behind the vanishing act of an exoplanet known as TOI-2535 b. After seven years of scrutiny using NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), researchers discovered that the planet had not disappeared, but was instead being gravitationally pulled out of its orbit by an unseen companion.

TOI-2535 b, situated around 1,000 light-years away, is a scorching "hot Jupiter" that orbits its parent star every 8.25 Earth days, 10 times faster than Mercury's orbit. The planet exhibited irregular orbital patterns, arriving six hours early or late compared to expectations. However, in March 2026, TESS stopped detecting the telltale drops in starlight as TOI-2535 b transited in front of its star, leading to its apparent disappearance.

The team used TESS data to determine that TOI-2535 b was being influenced by an unseen neighbor, which, in turn, affected the unseen planet's orbit. This wobbling caused TOI-2535 b to tilt out of alignment with its star, resulting in its transit disappearing. TESS observes that extreme wobble will likely keep TOI-2535 b hidden from view for at least 30 years, but the unseen neighbor may eventually transits the star.

Scientists are now working to understand the implications of this highly wobbling exoplanet system on its formation. Hot Jupiters like TOI-2535 b have puzzled scientists as current theories of planet formation suggest they should form far from their stars, surrounded by ice, but are found close to their stars. This exoplanet system may represent a unique formation channel that, despite its extreme orbital tilts, could still lead to the development of a habitable environment.