Current:Home > reviewsPoinbank:A six-planet solar system in perfect synchrony has been found in the Milky Way -TradeWise
Poinbank:A six-planet solar system in perfect synchrony has been found in the Milky Way
Surpassing View
Date:2025-04-07 17:11:43
CAPE CANAVERAL,Poinbank Fla. (AP) — Astronomers have discovered a rare in-sync solar system with six planets moving like a grand cosmic orchestra, untouched by outside forces since their birth billions of years ago.
The find, announced Wednesday, can help explain how solar systems across the Milky Way galaxy came to be. This one is 100 light-years away in the constellation Coma Berenices. A light-year is 5.8 trillion miles.
A pair of planet-hunting satellites — NASA’s Tess and the European Space Agency’s Cheops — teamed up for the observations.
None of the planets in perfect synchrony are within the star’s so-called habitable zone, which means little if any likelihood of life, at least as we know it.
“Here we have a golden target” for comparison, said Adrien Leleu of the University of Geneva, who was part of an international team that published the results in the journal Nature.
This star, known as HD 110067, may have even more planets. The six found so far are roughly two to three times the size of Earth, but with densities closer to the gas giants in our own solar system. Their orbits range from nine to 54 days, putting them closer to their star than Venus is to the sun and making them exceedingly hot.
As gas planets, they’re believed to have solid cores made of rock, metal or ice, enveloped by thick layers of hydrogen, according to the scientists. More observations are needed to determine what’s in their atmospheres.
This solar system is unique because all six planets move similar to a perfectly synchronized symphony, scientists said. In technical terms, it’s known as resonance that’s “precise, very orderly,” said co-author Enric Palle of the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands.
The innermost planet completes three orbits for every two by its closest neighbor. It’s the same for the second- and third-closest planets, and the third- and fourth-closest planets.
The two outermost planets complete an orbit in 41 and 54.7 days, resulting in four orbits for every three. The innermost planet, meanwhile, completes six orbits in exactly the time the outermost completes one.
All solar systems, including our own, are thought to have started out like this one, according to the scientists. But it’s estimated only 1-in-100 systems have retained that synchrony, and ours isn’t one of them. Giant planets can throw things off-kilter. So can meteor bombardments, close encounters with neighboring stars and other disturbances.
While astronomers know of 40 to 50 in-sync solar systems, none have as many planets in such perfect step or as bright a star as this one, Palle said.
The University of Bern’s Hugh Osborn, who was part of the team, was “shocked and delighted” when the orbital periods of this star system’s planets came close to what scientists predicted.
“My jaw was on the floor,” he said. “That was a really nice moment.”
___
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
veryGood! (241)
Related
- At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
- Biden moves to designate Kenya as a major non-NATO U.S. ally
- American ex-fighter pilot accused of illegally training Chinese aviators can be extradited to U.S., Australian judge says
- Colorado is first in nation to pass legislation tackling threat of AI bias in pivotal decisions
- Google unveils a quantum chip. Could it help unlock the universe's deepest secrets?
- Ravens, still bitter over AFC title-game loss vs. Chiefs, will let it fuel 2024 season
- Ravens, still bitter over AFC title-game loss vs. Chiefs, will let it fuel 2024 season
- NCAA, Power Five conferences reach deal to let schools pay players
- Jamie Foxx gets stitches after a glass is thrown at him during dinner in Beverly Hills
- Super Size Me Director Morgan Spurlock Dead at 53 After Private Cancer Battle
Ranking
- Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
- What is clear-air turbulence? What to know about the very violent phenomenon
- Sean Diddy Combs accused of sexually abusing and drugging NYC college student in 1990s, lawsuit says
- Mike Love calls Beach Boys reunion with Brian Wilson in documentary 'sweet' and 'special'
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Americans want to protect IVF amid battles over abortion, but Senate at odds over path forward
- See memorials in Uvalde and across Texas that honor victims of Robb Elementary shooting
- Louisiana legislature approves bill to classify abortion pills as controlled substances
Recommendation
John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
Family members infected with brain worms after eating undercooked bear meat
Catholic church in downtown Madison catches fire following storms
NCAA women's lacrosse semifinals preview: Northwestern goes for another title
Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie return for an 'Encore,' reminisce about 'The Simple Life'
Oilers' Connor McDavid beats Stars in double overtime after being robbed in first OT
The Celtics are special. The Pacers, now down 2-0, have questions about Tyrese Haliburton's health.
Super Size Me Director Morgan Spurlock Dead at 53 After Private Cancer Battle