Pi Men c orbits the bright star HD 39091, a stellar neighbor discovered in 2018 thanks to the keen eyes of NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). This intriguing world was spotted as it gracefully passed in front of its star, creating tiny eclipses that revealed its presence to us cosmic observers. Pi Men c is a fascinating super-Earth, larger than our planet but still more cozy than the giant gas planets. It orbits its star with a rhythm that suggests a warm and inviting environment, sparking curiosity about what its skies might look like and whether it could host some form of alien life or interesting geology. Though far beyond our solar system, Pi Men c feels remarkably close through the window that space telescopes like TESS provide, opening a glimpse into the vast tapestry of planets beyond Earth.
