Astronomers determine rotation rate of exoplanet for first time
Posted: Sat, May 3, 2014, 10:19 AM ET (1419 GMT)
Astronomers announced this week that they have measured for the fist time how fast an extrasolar planet is spinning. European astronomers measured the Doppler effect of light from the planet Beta Pictoris b, one of the first exoplanets to be directly imaged, to determine its rotational rate. They calculated that the planet, about 4 to 11 times as massive as Jupiter, completes one day in just eight hours. Astronomers note that the planet is still very young, with an age of just 20 million years, and its rotation rate may increase as it cools and shrinks.
Astronomers announced this week that they have measured for the fist time how fast an extrasolar planet is spinning. European astronomers measured the Doppler effect of light from the planet Beta Pictoris b, one of the first exoplanets to be directly imaged, to determine its rotational rate. They calculated that the planet, about 4 to 11 times as massive as Jupiter, completes one day in just eight hours. Astronomers note that the planet is still very young, with an age of just 20 million years, and its rotation rate may increase as it cools and shrinks.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Starship explodes during preparations for static-fire test
Posted: Sun, Jun 22 6:52 AM ET (1052 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Monday, June 30
Starlink subscriptions drops 11% in Kenya as Safaricom 5G routers win over users
Techcabal — 5:42 am ET (0942 GMT) Citizens file appeal against 40 Starlink satellite antennae planned in Swiss village
Swissinfo — 5:41 am ET (0941 GMT) Can Starlink stay ahead in satellite internet?
NPR — 5:41 am ET (0941 GMT) Blue Origin successfully launches latest human flight from West Texas
KTSM-TV El Paso — 5:39 am ET (0939 GMT) Blue Origin N-S 33 lifts off
KVIA-TV El Paso, TX — 5:39 am ET (0939 GMT) |
