TESS

TESS, or Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, is a NASA space telescope dedicated to discovering exoplanets, planets orbiting stars other than our Sun. It operates by observing the transits of planets as they pass in front of their host stars, causing a slight dip in the star's brightness. TESS is currently newsworthy due to recent discoveries of numerous exoplanets. A team of astronomers has validated over 100 new exoplanets, including 31 newly detected ones, some with ultrashort orbital periods (less than 24 hours). Furthermore, TESS data has revealed details about exoplanets like L 98-59 d, a lava ocean planet located 35 light-years away. These findings highlight TESS's ongoing contribution to understanding the diversity of planetary systems and identifying potentially habitable worlds.