Artist's concept of TrES-2b. Picture: Harvard-Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysics / David A. Aguilar Source: Supplied
SOME days are darker than others for the universe's blackest planet.
When it comes to discovering new planets, scientists are quickly finding there's something for everyone out there ? even emo kids.
Researchers have discovered a planet the size of Jupiter, named TrES-2b, that's blacker than coal.
"TrES-2b is considerably less reflective than black acrylic paint," said astronomer David Kipping from the Harvard-Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysics.
"It's truly an alien world."
TrES-2b reflects less than one per cent of light cast upon it and can reach temperatures of more than 900 degrees Celsius.
That's thanks, in part, to its proximity to the star GSC 03549-02811 ? about 750 light years away from us ? which it orbits at a distance of about 3 million miles (4.8 million km).
Scientists believe the planet's atmosphere contains light-absorbing chemicals like vaporised sodium and potassium, or gaseous titanium oxide.
However the intense heat, chemical composition and star proximity still don't explain TrES-2b's extreme blackness.
"It's not clear what is responsible for making this planet so extraordinarily dark," said David Spiegel of Princeton University.
"However, it's not completely pitch black. It's so hot that it emits a faint red glow, much like a burning ember or the coils on an electric stove."
The planet also shows some signs of dimming and brightening as it orbits its star. Scientists say that may be because, like our moon, it is tidally locked, meaning one side of the planet always faces the star.
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