NASA'S Kepler Discovers Youngest 'Baby' Exoplanet
NASA Discovers a Newborn Exoplanet
NASA has discovered a new planet and is now the youngest planet found outside the solar system.
The Youngest Exoplanet
NASA's planet-hunting spacescraft, Kepler, recently found a new exoplanet called K2-33b, which is the youngest exoplanet outside the solar system. K2-33b is approximately 5 to 10 million years old, which is young compared to the 14 billion years that the universe has existed. In terms of size, the young exoplanet is as big as Neptune.
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The exoplanet was found through the stars of other exoplanet orbits by observing their brightness. Astronomers determine the size of the planet based on the period of its orbit.
A Confusing Discovery
Though exciting, the discovery of the exoplanet confused many scientists because of its closeness to its paren star. According to studies, exoplanets orbiting close to its stars are not able to maintain any shape due to the intense heat.
Trevor David of Caltech stated, "After the first discoveries of massive exoplanets on close orbits about 20 years ago, it was immediately suggested that they could absolutely not have formed there."
Because of this, astronomers have created their own theories about K2-33b's existence. Some believe that the exoplanet already migrated after its formation, which allowed it to keep its shape while moving closer to the star.
Meanwhile, David added, "The question we are answering is: did those planets take a long time to get into those hot orbits, or could they have been there from a very early stage? We are saying, at least in this one case, that they can indeed be there at a very early stage."
Another Dying Exoplanet
It was recently reported that another newly discovered exoplanet is said to have an unfortunate fate. According to The Space Reporter, the planet called PTFO8-8695 is being torn apart by its own sun. Researcher Christopher Johns-Krull stated that since it is moving closer to its sun, there is a chance it will not survive the heat.
He said, "There's no way something confined to the planet's surface could produce that effect. The gas has to be filling a much larger region where the gravity of the planet is no longer strong enough to hold on to it. The star's gravity takes over, and eventually the gas will fall onto the star."
