spacetoday.net: First extrasolar planet from another galaxy found

First extrasolar planet from another galaxy found

Posted: Fri, Nov 19, 2010, 7:05 AM ET (1205 GMT)
HIP 13044 star and exoplanet (ESO)

Astronomers announced Thursday the discovery of an extrasolar planet that originated outside the Milky Way galaxy. Astronomers detected the planet, with a mass at least 25% greater than Jupiter, orbiting the star HIP 13044 2,000 light-years away. The planet and its star lie in what's known as the Helmi stream, a group of stars that had been part of a dwarf galaxy that was broken up by and incorporated into the Milky Way. The planet has survived the star's red giant phase late in its life when the star consumes all of its hydrogen and expands; the star has since contracts and is now fusing helium, although the planet will likely be consumed when the star expands again.