Thirty years have passed since the revelation of 51 Pegasi b, the first exoplanet discovered around a sun-like star. On October 6, 1995, astronomers Michel Mayor and Didier Queloz of the University of Geneva unveiled a world that defied expectations. This gas giant, similar in size to Jupiter, orbited its star at a scorching proximity, completing a year in just over four Earth days.
The surface temperature soared to 1,830 degrees Fahrenheit, a far cry from the tranquil conditions on Earth. The discovery marked a seismic shift in astronomical history, expanding the scope of planetary study beyond our solar system. Amanda Hendrix, director of the Planetary Science Institute in Arizona, recalled her reaction to the news: "When the first exoplanet was discovered, I remember thinking that it was really cool, but also thinking, 'Duh! Like, of course there are planets out there!'" Her sentiments echoed the intuition that the universe was teeming with planetary systems.
The detection of 51 Pegasi b was a technological feat, achieved through the ELODIE spectrograph on a 1. 9-meter telescope at the Observatoire de Haute-Provence in France.
Thirty years ago, on Oct. 6, 1995, the very first exoplanet to be discovered around a sun-like star was revealed.Other related sources and context: Check here
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