Researchers discover ‘hellish’ new planet, TOI-1431b, where temperatures reach 2,700°C

Queensland astronomers have discovered a new planet, but it offers a welcome far too warm for any human visitors.

TOI-1431b — or MASCARA-5b — is about 490 light years away from earth and one of the hottest planets ever recorded, with temperatures high enough to vaporise most metals.

Daytime temperatures on the planet can reach 2,700°C, or 3,000K, and its nightside temperature of 2,300°C is the second hottest ever measured.

Researchers…