Scientists Discover a Rare 'Super-Jupiter' Planet

Topic: Space

A team of scientists from Queen's University Belfast discovered a new planet called NGTS-38 b. It is larger than Jupiter and orbits a distant star every 180 days.

Scientists from Queen's University Belfast have made an exciting discovery in space. They found a rare new planet that is bigger than Jupiter and takes 180 days to orbit its star.

The planet, called NGTS-38 b, is an exoplanet, which means it orbits a star outside our solar system. It is about 8% larger than Jupiter and almost five times more massive. Planets of this size are often called 'super-Jupiters'.

The scientists first spotted the planet by analyzing data from NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). TESS searches for tiny dips in a star's brightness, which happen when a planet passes in front of it. The team used telescopes from the Next Generation Transit Survey (NGTS) in Chile to study the planet further.

The scientists say that the 180-day orbit is one of the longest periods ever discovered using this method. They were able to measure tiny changes in the star's movements by splitting up the light from the star. This allowed them to detect the gravitational pull of the planet on its star.

This discovery is significant because planets with long orbits are harder to find. The scientists say that NGTS-38 b has a cooler temperature than most other planets, making it an exciting opportunity for study.

The research was published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society and involved an international team of scientists from several universities.

Why It Matters

This discovery is important because it helps us learn more about how planets form and evolve. It also shows that there are still many mysteries to uncover in our universe.

Key Facts

• A team of scientists from Queen's University Belfast discovered a new planet called NGTS-38 b, which orbits a distant star every 180 days.
• The planet is larger than Jupiter and almost five times more massive.
• NGTS-38 b has a cooler temperature than most other planets, making it an exciting opportunity for study.
• The research was published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
• The discovery involved an international team of scientists from several universities.

Key Terms

Exoplanet

A planet that orbits a star outside our solar system

Super-Jupiter

A planet larger than Jupiter

Implications

This discovery is important because it helps us learn more about how planets form and evolve. It also shows that there are still many mysteries to uncover in our universe.