Astronomers set new mark for smallest directly-imaged exoplanet
Posted: Sun, Aug 11, 2013, 10:07 AM ET (1407 GMT)
Astronomers announced this week the discovery of the smallest extrasolar planet to date directly observed by astronomers, a world four times the mass of Jupiter. Researchers detected the planet, GJ 504b, in near-infrared observations by the Subaru Telescope in Hawaii. The planet is thought to be relatively young, as its star is only about 160 million years old; the planet, astronomers said, would likely appear to be dull magenta in color as it glows from the heat of its formation. The planet orbits at a projected distance of 43.5 AU from its star. That distance raises questions about planet formation processes, which do not predict that planets that large would form so far from their parent star.
Astronomers announced this week the discovery of the smallest extrasolar planet to date directly observed by astronomers, a world four times the mass of Jupiter. Researchers detected the planet, GJ 504b, in near-infrared observations by the Subaru Telescope in Hawaii. The planet is thought to be relatively young, as its star is only about 160 million years old; the planet, astronomers said, would likely appear to be dull magenta in color as it glows from the heat of its formation. The planet orbits at a projected distance of 43.5 AU from its star. That distance raises questions about planet formation processes, which do not predict that planets that large would form so far from their parent star.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Friday, October 30
ESA and Norway pen projects for resilient satellite navigation
ESA — 7:10 am ET (1110 GMT) Starlink drama puts spotlight on Musk’s global stature
The Hill — 7:09 am ET (1109 GMT) Lt. Gen. Philip A. Garrant, Commander of Space Systems Command, to Speak at Spacepower Conference
EINPresswire.com — 6:57 am ET (1057 GMT) Blue Origin Launches Earth's First Space Manufacturing Apprenticeship Program
Blue Origin — 6:57 am ET (1057 GMT) Blue Origin launches apprenticeship program with Drake State for space manufacturing
WZDX-TV Huntsville, AL — 6:57 am ET (1057 GMT) |
