What are sub-Neptune planets?

Sub-Neptune planets are the most commonly observed type of planet in our galaxy.

What are sub-Neptune planets?

Key findings

  • The star, known as HD110067, is located approximately 100 light-years away in the constellation Coma Berenices and is about 20% less massive than our Sun.
  • The six planets were detected by observing minute dimming of the star’s brightness as each planet transited, or passed in front of, the star from our perspective on Earth
  • The orbital resonance of these planets i.e their orbits are synchronised in such a way that they have remained stable for about 4 billion years.

About Sub-Neptune planets

  • These are the most commonly observed type of planet in our galaxy.
  • They could be rocky worlds with thick atmospheres of hydrogen and helium gas, or perhaps composed of rock and ice with warm, water-rich atmospheres.
  • These planets have radii between that of the Earth and Neptune.

Key points about Neptune

  • It’s the last of the planets in our solar system.
  • It’s more than 30 times as far from the sun as Earth is.
  • Neptune is very similar to Uranus. It’s made of a thick fog of water, ammonia, and methane over an Earth-sized solid center.
  • Its atmosphere is made of hydrogen, helium, and methane.
  • Structure and Surface
    • Neptune is encircled by six rings and is an ice giant.
    • It is made of a thick soup of water, ammonia, and methane flowing over a solid core about the size of Earth.
    • It has a thick, windy atmosphere.
  • Time on Neptune
    • One day on Neptune goes by in 16 hours.
    • Neptune has such a long journey around the Sun it takes 165 Earth years to go around once.

Q1) What is Methane?

It is a colourless, odourless gas that occurs abundantly in nature and as a product of certain human activities. Methane is the simplest member of the paraffin series of hydrocarbons and is among the most potent of the greenhouse gases. Its chemical formula is CH4.

Source: Six alien planets dancing in sync found. They have been stable for 4 billion years

Latest UPSC Exam 2025 Updates

Last updated on June, 2025

UPSC Notification 2025 was released on 22nd January 2025.

UPSC Prelims Result 2025 is out now for the CSE held on 25 May 2025.

UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2025 and Unofficial Prelims Answer Key 2025  are available now.

UPSC Calendar 2026 is released on 15th May, 2025.

→ The UPSC Vacancy 2025 were released 1129, out of which 979 were for UPSC CSE and remaining 150 are for UPSC IFoS.

UPSC Mains 2025 will be conducted on 22nd August 2025.

UPSC Prelims 2026 will be conducted on 24th May, 2026 & UPSC Mains 2026 will be conducted on 21st August 2026.

→ The UPSC Selection Process is of 3 stages-Prelims, Mains and Interview.

UPSC Result 2024 is released with latest UPSC Marksheet 2024. Check Now!

UPSC Toppers List 2024 is released now. Shakti Dubey is UPSC AIR 1 2024 Topper.

→ Also check Best IAS Coaching in Delhi

Vajiram Editor
Vajiram Editor
UPSC GS Course 2026
UPSC GS Course 2026
₹1,75,000
Enroll Now
GS Foundation Course 2 Yrs
GS Foundation Course 2 Yrs
₹2,45,000
Enroll Now
UPSC Prelims Test Series
UPSC Prelims Test Series
₹6000
Enroll Now
UPSC Mains Test Series
UPSC Mains Test Series
₹16000
Enroll Now
UPSC Mentorship Program
UPSC Mentorship Program
₹85000
Enroll Now
Enquire Now