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
|
|
Thursday, February 27
SES CEO Sees Protections In IRIS² Contract
Aviation Week — 5:22 am ET (1022 GMT) Appaloosa Files Proxy Proposals for SES S.A.
Business Wire — 5:21 am ET (1021 GMT) SES Acknowledges Shareholder Announcement
Business Wire — 5:20 am ET (1020 GMT) U.S. Space Force Upgrades Sites Amid Soaring Launch Demand
Aviation Week — 5:19 am ET (1019 GMT) Bleecker Street report brings Rocket Lab share price down and sparks litigation interest
BusinessDesk — 5:18 am ET (1018 GMT) |
