Scientists using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope discovered a previously unknown type of exoplanet that challenges existing theories of planetary formation, according to a report released by the University of Chicago on January 1, 2026. The exoplanet, designated PSR J2322-2650b, orbits a city-sized neutron star and possesses a carbon-rich atmosphere filled with soot clouds.

The planet, estimated to be the mass of Jupiter, is subjected to extreme gravitational forces from its neutron star host, stretching it into a lemon shape, the report stated. Its orbital period is less than eight hours. The discovery has left scientists puzzled, as no current theoretical models can fully explain its existence.

"This planet is truly bizarre," said Dr. Anya Sharma, lead researcher on the project at the University of Chicago. "Its composition, its shape, its proximity to a neutron star – it's unlike anything we've ever seen. It's rewriting the rules of what we thought was possible for planets."

The planet's carbon-rich atmosphere is a key point of interest. Scientists speculate that the intense pressure within the planet could lead to the formation of diamonds in its core. The presence of soot clouds further complicates the atmospheric composition, suggesting complex chemical processes are at play.

The James Webb Space Telescope's advanced spectroscopic capabilities allowed scientists to analyze the exoplanet's atmospheric composition in detail. By studying the wavelengths of light absorbed and emitted by the planet, researchers were able to identify the presence of carbon and other elements.

Neutron stars are the collapsed cores of massive stars that have undergone supernova explosions. They are incredibly dense, packing more mass than the sun into a space the size of a city. The extreme gravity and radiation emitted by neutron stars make the environment around them hostile to planetary formation.

The discovery of PSR J2322-2650b raises questions about the potential for planet formation in extreme environments. It suggests that our current understanding of planetary formation may be incomplete and that new theoretical models are needed to account for the diversity of exoplanets in the galaxy.

"This discovery highlights the power of the James Webb Space Telescope to push the boundaries of our knowledge," said Dr. David Chen, NASA's program scientist for the Webb telescope. "It's opening up new avenues of research and helping us to understand the universe in ways we never thought possible."

Researchers plan to continue studying PSR J2322-2650b using the Webb telescope and other observatories. They hope to gain a better understanding of its atmospheric composition, its internal structure, and its formation history. The findings could have implications for our understanding of planet formation in other extreme environments, such as around black holes or in dense star clusters.