Meet HATS-15 b, a sizzling hot giant planet orbiting the star HATS-15, discovered back in 2016 thanks to the clever transit method that spotted its shadow as it crossed its star. This cosmic heavyweight was found using ground-based telescopes equipped with the Apogee 4K CCD Sensor as part of the HATSouth survey, which scans the southern skies for worlds beyond our solar system. HATS-15 b is a gas giant, much like Jupiter but much closer to its star, making it a toasty world where temperatures soar and the skies are likely ablaze with fiery sunsets. While it’s too far to visit on a casual weekend, this distant, glowing giant keeps astronomers fascinated as they peek into the diverse family of exoplanets scattered across our galaxy.
