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A team of astronomers from the University of Arizona, the University of California, Berkeley, and the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy have obtained compelling evidence that two planets share the same orbit around a star.
The study’s lead author, Olga Balsalobre-Ruza, said the findings, published in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics, are “the first evidence” that these double worlds could exist.
🦄 Did we find one of the unicorns of astronomy?
🤔 The theory says that two planets could share the same orbit but the evidence is scarce.
📡 Using @almaobsin which ESO is a partner, astronomers have now found a possible exoplanet sibling ➡️ https://t.co/kBjY7bTTLT 1/ pic.twitter.com/GngTSBOebp
—IT (@IT)
July 19, 2023
The astronomers made this discovery while using ALMA to study a young star called PDS 70, which lies about 400 light-years from Earth.
ALMA was able to see the two planets because they emitted radiation at millimeter wavelengths, which is not blocked by the star’s glare.
The astronomers found that the debris cloud was in the same orbit around PDS 70 as two other objects, which they believe to be planets. The debris cloud is about the size of Jupiter and is believed to be made up of dust and ice.
Astronomers believe the debris cloud could be the building blocks of a new planet, or it could be the remains of a planet that already formed and was later destroyed. They continue to study the system to learn more about how it formed and evolved.
However, the astronomers said they will have to wait until 2026 to be able to properly track the two objects around the star known as PDS 70. This is because the planets are very close together and it takes a long time for them to orbit the star. .
By 2026, astronomers will be able to track the movements of the planets more precisely and will be able to confirm that they do indeed share the same orbit.
As study co-author Jorge Lillo-Box pointed out, the existence of such systems has been predicted by theory, but they have never been seen before. This is because they are very difficult to detect, often being hidden by the glare of the star they orbit.
This is an important finding, as it suggests that these systems may be more common than previously thought. It also raises the question of whether these systems could be habitable, as they could provide the right conditions for life to emerge.
In this article, we will explore the implications and benefits of studying two planets that share the same orbit around a star. But first, let’s understand what is the scientific phenomenon of two planets sharing the same orbit.
Q. What is the phenomenon called when two planets share the same orbit?
A: The phenomenon of two planets sharing the same orbit is called a coorbital configuration. There are two types of coorbital configurations:
Trojans: These are objects that share the same orbit as a planet, but are in a stable point in front of or behind the planet. The most famous example of a Trojan horse is the asteroid 5261 Eureka, which shares Jupiter’s orbit.
Horseshoe orbits: These are objects that share the same orbit as a planet, but orbit the planet in a figure-eight pattern. The most famous example of a horseshoe orbit is the moon Janus, which shares the orbit of Saturn.
Q: How is it possible for two planets to share the same orbit without colliding?
A: The key to understanding how two planets can share the same orbit without colliding is to understand the concept of gravitational stability. In a gravitationally stable system, the objects in the system are constantly moving relative to each other, but never collide. This is because the gravitational forces between the objects keep them in their respective orbits.
In the case of two planets sharing the same orbit, the planets are held in their orbits by gravitational forces between them and the star they orbit. The planets are also held in their orbits by centrifugal force, which is the outward force created by their rotation.
The exact conditions that must be met for two planets to share the same orbit without colliding are complex, but they involve the mass of the planets, the mass of the star, and the distance between the planets.
Q: What are the implications of two planets sharing the same orbit?
A: The implications of two planets sharing the same orbit can be significant. For example, if two planets are in a Trojan configuration, they can interact with each other in a variety of ways. They can exchange mass, they can collide or even form a binary system.
In the case of a horseshoe orbit, the implications are even more complex. The two planets can interact with each other in various ways and their orbits can be very chaotic. This can lead to collisions, ejections, or even the formation of new moons.
Q: What are the prospects for finding more coorbital planets?
A: The prospects for finding more co-orbital planets are good. There are billions of planets in the Milky Way and many of them likely share the same orbit. However, co-orbital planets are difficult to detect because they are usually very small and faint.
The best way to find coorbital planets is to look for them in systems that have already been discovered. For example, the Kepler space telescope has discovered thousands of exoplanets, and some of these exoplanets may be coorbital.
Another way to find coorbital planets is to look for them in systems that are still forming. For example, the Orion Nebula is a star-forming region and it is likely that some of the planets in the Orion Nebula are coorbital.
Orion Nebula, Image: NASA
Q: What are the benefits of studying coorbital planets?
A: Studying co-orbital planets can help us understand the formation and evolution of planetary systems. These systems are thought to form when two planets form in the same region of a protoplanetary disk. As planets grow, they can interact gravitationally with each other, which can lead to a variety of results.
The study of co-orbital planets can also help us understand the habitability of planetary systems. If a planet is in a co-orbital configuration with another planet, it is more likely to be habitable. This is because the two planets can interact gravitationally, which can help stabilize the orbits of both planets. This may increase the likelihood that planets will have liquid water on their surfaces, which is essential for life as we know it.
Here are some of the ways that studying coorbital planets can help:
Understanding the formation and evolution of planetary systems: Coorbital planets can provide clues about how planetary systems form and evolve. By studying these systems, astronomers can learn more about the processes that lead to planet formation and how these processes can be affected by gravitational interactions.
Understanding the habitability of planetary systems: Coorbiting planets can also help astronomers understand the habitability of planetary systems. By studying these systems, astronomers can learn more about the conditions necessary for life to arise and survive.
Development of new technologies: The study of coorbital planets can also help to develop new technologies. For example, studying these systems can help develop new ways to detect exoplanets and study their atmospheres.
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Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: ptivs2.edu.vn