Astronomers discovered largest known exoplanet
Posted: Wed, Aug 8, 2007, 7:42 AM ET (1142 GMT)
Astronomers announced this week that they have discovered an extrasolar planet with the largest radius measured to date, making the planet's density unexpectedly low. The planet, designated TrES-4, closely orbits the star GSC02620-00648, 1,435 light-years away. The planet was discovered by detecting periodic decreases in the star's brightness as the planet transited the star's disk as seen from Earth. Those studies found that the planet has a radius 1.67 times that of Jupiter, the largest radius of any planet so far measured. Separate observations found that the planet's mass is only 0.84 times that of Jupiter, giving the planet a density of 0.22 grams per cubic centimeter, too low to be explained by current models of giant planets.
Astronomers announced this week that they have discovered an extrasolar planet with the largest radius measured to date, making the planet's density unexpectedly low. The planet, designated TrES-4, closely orbits the star GSC02620-00648, 1,435 light-years away. The planet was discovered by detecting periodic decreases in the star's brightness as the planet transited the star's disk as seen from Earth. Those studies found that the planet has a radius 1.67 times that of Jupiter, the largest radius of any planet so far measured. Separate observations found that the planet's mass is only 0.84 times that of Jupiter, giving the planet a density of 0.22 grams per cubic centimeter, too low to be explained by current models of giant planets.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Saturday, April 26
Firefly Alpha mission slated to launch from Vandenberg SFB on Sunday morning
Lompoc Record — 9:36 am ET (1336 GMT) Vandenberg’s Next Mission: Firefly Alpha Rocket Launch on Sunday
Noozhawk — 9:35 am ET (1335 GMT) Space Systems Command Expands Commercial Space Vehicle Processing Capacity
US Space Force — 9:35 am ET (1335 GMT) Gayle King Is “Not Focusing” on Blue Origin Backlash and Would “Consider” Going Back to Space: “I’m Definitely Open to It”
Hollywood Reporter — 9:32 am ET (1332 GMT) Blue Origin Flight ‘Really Was a Dream Come True’ for Katy Perry Despite Fan Backlash Over Stunt
In Touch — 9:32 am ET (1332 GMT) |
