Meet UKIRT-2017-BLG-001L b, a mysterious world discovered in 2018 thanks to the clever technique of microlensing, which is a bit like nature’s own cosmic magnifying glass. This exoplanet orbits the star UKIRT-2017-BLG-001L and was spotted using the WFCAM instrument at the Mauna Kea Observatory, perched high in Hawaii’s skies. Although it doesn’t have a catchy nickname yet, this distant planet invites us to imagine its unseen landscapes. Its discovery from the ground highlights how even humble tools on Earth can uncover far-off worlds hidden in the galaxy. While we don’t have the exact distance from Earth, UKIRT-2017-BLG-001L b adds its own unique chapter to the story of planets beyond our solar system.
