US researchers believe they have discovered the first planet orbiting three stars at the same time. However, you haven’t seen him yet.
Toronto – In recent years, astronomers have already discovered several planets orbiting two stars at the same time. Such discoveries are also called circumbinary planets. Now researchers led by Jeremy Smallwood from the University of Nevada may have found the first planet that even orbits three stars. The New York Times reports.
This planet can be found in the GW Ori star system, about 1300 light years from Earth. According to initial information, this system is said to be home to three stars that orbit each other closely. There is also a huge disk of dust surrounding all three. There is a large gap between the inner ring and the two outer ones.
Study refutes common theory
A common theory about the formation of these dust rings has been that the torque of the three stars could split the gas disk around the stars into these different layers. This was checked in the new study using modelling. Thus, the pressure of the stars could warp the disk, but not break it.
The new study, published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, the gap in the dust rings around the stars suggests hidden planets are orbiting the three stars. So it could be the first known “circumtriple” planet.
So far, researchers have not been able to see planets
“It’s really exciting because it really solidifies the theory of planet formation,” said Jeremy Smallwood, lead author of the study, in a press release. “It could mean that planet formation is a lot more active than we thought, which is pretty cool.”
With the so-called ALMA telescope, the researchers have not yet been able to capture any direct evidence of such a special planet. So it remains to be seen whether the findings, which so far have only come from modeling, can also be confirmed in reality.
Astronomer Alison Young of the University of Leicester told the New York Times that observations with the ALMA telescope and the Very Large Telescope are planned in the near future. The planet itself could also be photographed. (ebb)
Like ours, the “Second Earth” revolves around a sun star. The planet-sun couple could make life possible.
