Astronomers discover bloated planet
Posted: Fri, Sep 15, 2006, 8:24 AM ET (1224 GMT)
Astronomers announced Thursday that they have found an extrasolar planet that is larger than Jupiter but only half its mass, making it the less dense planet ever found. The exoplanet, HAT-P-1, closely orbits one star of a double-star system 450 light-years from Earth, completing one orbit every 4.5 days. The planet transits across the disk of its star as sen from Earth, allowing astronomers to measure its size and mass. The planet turns out to have a diameter nearly 40% larger than Jupiter's, but only has half its mass, giving the planet a density about one-quarter than of water. Astronomers said they're not sure what caused the planet to be so large, having ruled out tidal heating caused by an eccentric orbit or a highly-inclined axis.
Astronomers announced Thursday that they have found an extrasolar planet that is larger than Jupiter but only half its mass, making it the less dense planet ever found. The exoplanet, HAT-P-1, closely orbits one star of a double-star system 450 light-years from Earth, completing one orbit every 4.5 days. The planet transits across the disk of its star as sen from Earth, allowing astronomers to measure its size and mass. The planet turns out to have a diameter nearly 40% larger than Jupiter's, but only has half its mass, giving the planet a density about one-quarter than of water. Astronomers said they're not sure what caused the planet to be so large, having ruled out tidal heating caused by an eccentric orbit or a highly-inclined axis.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Wednesday, June 3
Vast Signs Two-Mission Agreement With France, Plans Paris HQ
Aviation Week — 5:53 am ET (0953 GMT) Starlink may secure the transport, but who secures LEO data?
Space and Defense — 5:53 am ET (0953 GMT) MDA Space Selected By BAE Systems For U.S. Space Systems Command MEO Epoch 2 Constellation
PR Newswire — 5:51 am ET (0951 GMT) Tampa space company to build floating launchpads for Firefly, Vaya rockets
Florida Today — 5:51 am ET (0951 GMT) Space Force announces national security mission for Blue Origin after rocket explosion
Huntsville Times — 5:49 am ET (0949 GMT) |
