# Dark Exoplanets

**Authors:** Yang Bai, Sida Lu, Nicholas Orlofsky  
**arXiv:** [2303.12129](https://arxiv.org/abs/2303.12129)  
**Date:** 2023-03-21  
**Summary page:** https://www.summarizepaper.com/en/paper/2303.12129v1/

## Key points

- Authors propose the existence of "dark exoplanets" made of dark matter
- Examining the mass-radius relation
- Utilizing spectroscopy
- Identifying missing transits
- Analyzing transit light curves
- Focus on transit light curve method to differentiate between partially transparent dark exoplanets and fully opaque ordinary exoplanets
- Dark exoplanets with substantial radius (>10% of star's radius) and low optical depth (<1) can potentially be identified using current telescope sensitivities
- Contribution of Bai, Lu, and Orlofsky provides valuable insights into detection techniques for dark exoplanets

## Summary

In their paper "Dark Exoplanets," authors Yang Bai, Sida Lu, and Nicholas Orlofsky challenge the prevailing assumption that all exoplanets are composed of ordinary matter by proposing the existence of "dark exoplanets" made of dark matter. They delve into various methods to detect these elusive entities, including examining the mass-radius relation, utilizing spectroscopy, identifying missing transits, and analyzing transit light curves. The authors specifically focus on the transit light curve method to differentiate between partially transparent dark exoplanets and fully opaque ordinary exoplanets using both real observed data and simulated dark exoplanet data. Their analysis reveals that dark exoplanets with a substantial radius exceeding approximately 10% of the star's radius and a low optical depth below one can potentially be identified using current telescope sensitivities. By exploring this unconventional possibility and providing detailed insights into detection techniques, Bai, Lu, and Orlofsky contribute valuable knowledge to the field of exoplanet research. Their work opens up new avenues for astronomers to explore the mysterious realm of dark exoplanets and expand our understanding of planetary composition beyond traditional assumptions.