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An extraordinary planetary system, Kepler-51, continues to intrigue astronomers with its unique characteristics. Researchers at Penn State and Osaka Universities have discovered a fourth planet in this system.
The Kepler-51 system was already known for its three ultra-low-density ⁘super-puff⁘ planets, but this latest finding adds another layer of complexity.
The team identified the fourth planet, Kepler-51e, after observing unexpected transit timing variations (TTVs) in the system. This discovery challenges existing planetary formation theories and opens up new questions about the dynamics and evolution of this peculiar system.
Super-puff planets are distinctly characterized by their incredibly low mass and density. They are roughly the size of Saturn but only a few times the mass of Earth, making them as light and fluffy as cotton candy .
The super-puffs in the Kepler-51 system are believed to have tiny cores and vast atmospheres of hydrogen and helium.
They are a cosmic enigma that has astronomers questioning how they formed and how their atmospheres survive the intense radiation from their star. The discovery of a fourth planet adds more intrigue to these questions.
The research team, led by Jessica Libby-Roberts, a postdoctoral fellow at the Center for Exoplanets and Habitable Worlds at Penn State , ventured to study Kepler-51d using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope .
However, the planet decided to steal the show by passing in front of its star two hours earlier than anticipated ⁘ an event that nearly caught the researchers off guard.
The transit of a planet, when it passes in front of its star as observed from Earth, can reveal a wealth of information. The duration and magnitude of the star's dip in brightness help astronomers to deduce the planet's size and other properties.
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