Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope have uncovered a bizarre exoplanet named Enaiposha that appears unlike anything in our solar system, forcing scientists to rethink how planets form and evolve.
Located about 47 light-years from Earth, Enaiposha, also known as GJ 1214 b, was initially classified as a mini-Neptune, a type of planet believed to be rich in light gases like hydrogen and helium. But new observations have completely changed that assumption. Instead of being a typical gas-rich world, the planet now appears to resemble a massive, overheated version of Venus, leading researchers to describe it as a possible “super-Venus,” according to the study published The Astrophysical Journal Letters.
The discovery was made by analyzing the planet’s atmosphere as it passed in front of its host star. During these transits, astronomers observed subtle changes in the starlight filtering through Enaiposha’s atmosphere. These faint signals revealed the presence of molecules including water vapor, methane, and carbon dioxide. The detection of carbon dioxide was especially important, as it suggests similarities to Venus, which has a dense, heat-trapping atmosphere dominated by the gas.
What makes Enaiposha particularly strange is its thick haze layer. The planet’s atmosphere is packed with aerosols and clouds that block light from penetrating deeper, making it extremely difficult to study. This haze is far more intense than anything seen on Venus and appears to mask much of the planet’s true composition.
Scientists also found evidence that the planet’s atmosphere contains heavier elements and less hydrogen than expected for a mini-Neptune. This suggests that Enaiposha may represent a transitional planetary type, something between a gas planet and a rocky world with a thick atmosphere.
Sub-Neptunes like Enaiposha are actually the most common type of planet in the Milky Way, yet none exist in our own solar system. This makes the discovery especially important, as it offers scientists a rare opportunity to understand a planetary class that has no local comparison.
Researchers say Enaiposha could help explain how planets evolve over time. Some scientists believe worlds like this may start as gas-rich planets and gradually transform into dense, Venus-like environments under extreme heat and pressure.
Although Enaiposha is far too hot to support life, studying its atmosphere could help astronomers develop better tools to identify habitable planets elsewhere. Understanding how thick atmospheres behave may eventually help scientists detect planets with conditions suitable for life beyond our solar system.