Scientists were able to make this discovery using NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory. Using specialized equipment, they observed a weakening of X-rays in a planetary system where a sun-like star orbits around a neutron star or black hole. In this way, scientists can determine:
- planet sizes;
- how far are the planets from their stars;
- gather evidence of what they are made of by analyzing the starlight that shines through the planet’s atmosphere.
The rest of the text below the video.
A unique exoplanet
Until now, every exoplanet or possible exoplanet found has been in our own galaxy, the Milky Way. This means that almost all of them are less than three thousand. light years from Earth.
An exoplanet that scientists have found in a neighboring galaxy – known as M51 or the “Whirlpool Galaxy” because of its distinctive shape – is likely to be about 28 million light-years from Earth. The discovered planet may not be quite the size of Saturn.
“Unfortunately, to confirm that we are seeing the planet, we would probably have to wait decades to see another transit,” said astrologer Nia Imara of the University of California, Santa Cruz.
The scientists published information about the potential discovery in the latest issue of “Nature Astronomy”.
Of course, there should be planetary systems in other galaxies, but scientists can’t detect them using the same methods – our telescopes are just not powerful enough.
Source: “Forbes”
We are glad that you are with us. Subscribe to the Onet newsletter to receive the most valuable content from us.
(MC)
–
