Astronomers have identified 27 new potential planets orbiting two stars, reminiscent of the desert planet Tatooine from Star Wars. Until now, only about 18 planets in binary systems have been confirmed, while over 6,000 orbit single stars like Earth. Published on May 4, Star Wars Day, this discovery highlights systems ranging from 650 to 18,000 light-years away.
Lead author Ben Montet emphasizes the challenge of finding these planets, comparing it to locating a candle next to a bright streetlamp. Traditional methods have relied on observing transits where planets pass in front of stars, but this alignment is rare. Instead, researchers employed “posterior precession” to track star wobbles during eclipses, identifying 36 systems where a third object likely exists.
After ruling out other factors affecting these stars, they concluded that 27 of the identified objects could be planetary in mass. Further analysis of their light spectra is necessary to confirm their nature. Using data from NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey satellite, the planets could range from sizes similar to Neptune to those 10 times heavier than Jupiter.
Astrophysicist Dr. Sarah Webb praised the innovative technique, suggesting that it could lead to the discovery of even more candidates. These new possibilities may offer insights into extreme environments unlike those in our solar system, with planets like Tatooine potentially existing in optimal zones where conditions are just right. The study was published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
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