Discovered the richest extrasolar planetary system
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Jenna Jameson Looks Weird
Astronomers using the HARPS instrument have discovered that the star HD 10180, to 127 light-years away in the constellation Hydrus (not to be confused with Hydra ) is a star system that securely holds 5 planets (that does not orbit the Sun are called extrasolar ) and maybe even two more still can not discern with certainty.
(artistic impression)
This system is unique so far for many reasons. To begin with there seems to be a massive gas giant, Jupiter-sized or larger, as in other systems discovered, however it appears that 5 planets that have been identified with certainty are similar to Neptune, and are all within a distance equivalent to the orbit of Mars. Our solar system has only 4 planets in that area, and much smaller Neptune.
Of the two planets yet to be verified, one would be something bigger, like Saturn, and the other would be the least massive exoplanet ever discovered, with a mass of just 1.4 of the Earth. It is also very close to its star, only 2 percent of the distance from Earth to the Sun A "year" of this planet would last only 1.18 Earth days.
only remains to add ... XD MOLA
(artistic impression)
This system is unique so far for many reasons. To begin with there seems to be a massive gas giant, Jupiter-sized or larger, as in other systems discovered, however it appears that 5 planets that have been identified with certainty are similar to Neptune, and are all within a distance equivalent to the orbit of Mars. Our solar system has only 4 planets in that area, and much smaller Neptune.
Of the two planets yet to be verified, one would be something bigger, like Saturn, and the other would be the least massive exoplanet ever discovered, with a mass of just 1.4 of the Earth. It is also very close to its star, only 2 percent of the distance from Earth to the Sun A "year" of this planet would last only 1.18 Earth days.
only remains to add ... XD MOLA
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