L 98-59 b

L 98-59 b is a confirmed exoplanet orbiting the star L 98-59, a red dwarf located approximately 35 light-years away in the constellation Volans. It is the innermost of at least three planets known to orbit this star.

L 98-59 b is notable for its small size, being one of the smallest exoplanets discovered to date. Estimates of its radius place it somewhere between the size of Mars and Earth, making it a super-Earth or potentially even a sub-Earth.

Due to its proximity to its host star, L 98-59 b is a hot planet, likely tidally locked, meaning one side always faces the star. Its surface temperature is expected to be very high. The planet was discovered using the transit method, where the planet's passage in front of its star causes a slight dimming of the star's light.

Further study of L 98-59 b and its fellow planets in the L 98-59 system is of great interest to astronomers, as this system provides a valuable opportunity to study the atmospheres and compositions of small, rocky exoplanets. The system's relative brightness also makes it a prime target for future observations using telescopes like the James Webb Space Telescope.