Latest news with #SimonAlbrecht
Euronews
17-04-2025
- Science
- Euronews
Tatooine-like planet outside the solar system may be orbiting two failed stars
ADVERTISEMENT A new planet like Star Wars' Tatooine detected outside of our solar system may orbit two failed stars, scientists reported Wednesday. The exoplanet 120 light years away takes an unusual path around two brown dwarfs, otherwise known as failed stars. Researchers found in a new analysis, published in the journal Science Advances, that the motion of the brown dwarfs are changing which is less likely to happen if they circled each other. Related The Red Planet or bust: Can the US get humans to Mars in Donald Trump's second term? 'I wouldn't bet my life the planet exists yet' The brown dwarf pair was first spotted years ago by scientists who noted at the time that the twins eclipse each other but the planet itself hasn't been directly seen yet. So more research is needed to figure out its mass and orbit. "I wouldn't bet my life that the planet exists yet," said Simon Albrecht, an astrophysicist with Aarhus University who had no role in the new study. Scientists know of over a dozen planets that orbit two stars like the fictional 'Star Wars' scorching desert planet Tatooine with double sunsets that Luke Skywalker calls home. Related James Webb uncovers evidence that exoplanet may stink of rotten eggs Probing these wacky celestial bodies can help us understand how conditions beyond our solar system may yield planets vastly different from our own, said study author Thomas Baycroft with the University of Birmingham. Planets circling twin stars "existed in sci-fi for decades before we knew that they could even really exist in reality," he said.
The Independent
17-04-2025
- Science
- The Independent
Scientists find Star Wars-like planet with a highly unusual orbit
Scientists may have found a new Tatooine-like planet orbiting two "failed stars" approximately 120 light years from Earth. The planet follows a peculiar, perpendicular path around a pair of brown dwarfs. Brown dwarfs, sometimes referred to as failed stars, possess a mass greater than gas giant planets but less than stars. The two brown dwarfs at the centre of this system were initially observed years ago. Scientists noted that the pair eclipse each other from Earth's perspective, resulting in one dwarf being partially obscured. New analysis of the brown dwarfs' movement revealed a shift, a phenomenon less likely to occur if the dwarfs orbited each other in isolation. This research has been published in Science Advances. The discovery adds to a growing list of planets known to orbit binary star systems, reminiscent of the fictional desert planet Tatooine from Star Wars, famous for its double sunsets. While over a dozen such planets have been identified, this new finding offers a unique glimpse into the dynamics of planetary systems around brown dwarfs. The new planet's odd orbit sets it apart. But it has not been directly spied, and scientists say more research is needed to be sure it is out there and figure out its mass and orbit. 'I wouldn't bet my life that the planet exists yet,' said Simon Albrecht, an astrophysicist with Aarhus University who had no role in the new study. Probing these wacky celestial bodies can help us understand how conditions beyond our solar system may yield planets vastly different from our own, said study author Thomas Baycroft with the University of Birmingham. Planets circling twin stars "existed in sci-fi for decades before we knew that they could even really exist in reality', he said.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Astronomers find 'Tatooine' planet orbiting two stars
The Brief Astronomers believe they've discovered a "Tatooine"-like planet orbiting two stars in a galaxy far, far away. The planet is orbiting two brown dwarfs, which are also known as failed stars. It's about 120 light years away from our solar system. If you're a "Star Wars" fan, you might be excited to learn scientists may have discovered a planet that's orbiting two stars, much like the fictional planet of "Tatooine." Dig deeper The planet is located about 120 light years away from our solar system, according to astronomers at the University of Birmingham, U.K. A light year is nearly 6 trillion miles, in case you were trying to convert the distance. The exoplanet appears to take an unusual path around two brown dwarf stars, circling at a right angle. Brown dwarfs are sometimes called failed stars because they're lighter than stars but are heavier than gas giant planets. The pair of brown dwarfs were first discovered years ago and scientists noticed that the twins eclipse each other so one is always partly blocked when seen from Earth. In a new analysis, researchers found that the brown dwarfs' motion was changing — a quirk that's less likely to happen if they circled each other on their own. The research was published in the journal Science Advances. The planet was discovered using the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (LVT). Yes, there are actually several dozen planets that are orbiting two stars throughout the cosmos, scientists said. But the new planet's odd orbit sets it apart. Though it hasn't been directly spied on, scientists say more research is needed to be sure it's out there and figure out its mass and orbit. What they're saying "I wouldn't bet my life that the planet exists yet," said Simon Albrecht, an astrophysicist with Aarhus University who had no role in the new study. Probing these wacky celestial bodies can help us understand how conditions beyond our solar system may yield planets vastly different from our own, said study author Thomas Baycroft with the University of Birmingham. Planets circling twin stars "existed in sci-fi for decades before we knew that they could even really exist in reality," he said. The Source Information for this article was gathered from The Associated Press and a news release shared by the European Southern Observatory.
The Independent
16-04-2025
- Science
- The Independent
Scientists discover Tatooine-like planet that may experience double sunsets
Scientists may have found a new Tatooine-like planet orbiting two "failed stars" approximately 120 light years from Earth. The planet follows a peculiar, perpendicular path around a pair of brown dwarfs. Brown dwarfs, sometimes referred to as failed stars, possess a mass greater than gas giant planets but less than stars. The two brown dwarfs at the centre of this system were initially observed years ago. Scientists noted that the pair eclipse each other from Earth's perspective, resulting in one dwarf being partially obscured. New analysis of the brown dwarfs' movement revealed a shift, a phenomenon less likely to occur if the dwarfs orbited each other in isolation. This research has been published in Science Advances. The discovery adds to a growing list of planets known to orbit binary star systems, reminiscent of the fictional desert planet Tatooine from Star Wars, famous for its double sunsets. While over a dozen such planets have been identified, this new finding offers a unique glimpse into the dynamics of planetary systems around brown dwarfs. The new planet's odd orbit sets it apart. But it has not been directly spied, and scientists say more research is needed to be sure it is out there and figure out its mass and orbit. 'I wouldn't bet my life that the planet exists yet,' said Simon Albrecht, an astrophysicist with Aarhus University who had no role in the new study. Probing these wacky celestial bodies can help us understand how conditions beyond our solar system may yield planets vastly different from our own, said study author Thomas Baycroft with the University of Birmingham. Planets circling twin stars "existed in sci-fi for decades before we knew that they could even really exist in reality', he said.
NBC News
16-04-2025
- Science
- NBC News
Tatooine-like planet outside the solar system may orbit twin stars
A new Tatooine-like planet outside the solar system may orbit two failed stars, scientists reported Wednesday. Located about 120 light years away, the exoplanet appears to take an unusual path around two brown dwarfs, whipping around at a right angle. Brown dwarfs are sometimes called failed stars because they're lighter than stars, but heavier than gas giant planets. A light year is nearly 6 trillion miles. The brown dwarf pair was first spotted years ago. Scientists noticed that the twins eclipse each other so one is always partly blocked when seen from Earth. In a new analysis, researchers found that the brown dwarfs' motion was changing — a quirk that's less likely to happen if they circled each other on their own. The research was published in the journal Science Advances. Scientists know of over a dozen planets that orbit two stars like the fictional 'Star Wars' scorching desert planet Tatooine with double sunsets that Luke Skywalker calls home. The new planet's odd orbit sets it apart. But it hasn't been directly spied, and scientists say more research is needed to be sure it's out there and figure out its mass and orbit. 'I wouldn't bet my life that the planet exists yet,' said Simon Albrecht, an astrophysicist with Aarhus University who had no role in the new study. Probing these wacky celestial bodies can help us understand how conditions beyond our solar system may yield planets vastly different from our own, said study author Thomas Baycroft with the University of Birmingham. Planets circling twin stars 'existed in sci-fi for decades before we knew that they could even really exist in reality,' he said.
