OGLE-2016-BLG-1266L b is a quirky little exoplanet discovered back in 2018 using the clever microlensing technique by the Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment (OGLE). Orbiting a star whimsically named OGLE-2016-BLG-1266L, this distant world was spotted thanks to the OGLE CCD Array, a ground-based instrument that keeps a watchful eye on the cosmos. While we don’t know exactly how far it sits from its host star or from Earth, its discovery showcases the power of gravitational microlensing—a cosmic magnifying glass that lets astronomers detect planets hiding in the vast darkness. If you love cosmic hide-and-seek, OGLE-2016-BLG-1266L b is a stellar example of how the universe loves to surprise us!
