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Astronomers have identified a planet that could be the first ever discovered to orbit three stars at the same time.
Have you ever imagined a planet orbiting not just one, but three stars simultaneously? It sounds like something out of science fiction, but this is a real possibility that astronomers have been investigating in recent years.
The discovery was made in the system GW Orionis, located in the constellation Orion, about 1.300 light-years from Earth.
GW Orionis is a triple star system surrounded by dust rings. These rings have a peculiar gap that has piqued the curiosity of scientists.
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A study published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, in 2021, suggests that this gap may be caused by a gas giant planet, similar to Jupiter. If confirmed, this would be the first planet ever found orbiting three stars.
A new approach to planet formation
Planet formation in complex star systems like GW Orionis is a fascinating puzzle. According to Jeremy Smallwood, lead author of the study and a recent PhD graduate in astronomy from the University of Las Vegas, Nevada, the discovery adds to theories about how planets form.
"It's really exciting because it makes the theory of planet formation much more robust. It could mean that planet formation is much more active than we thought, which is pretty cool.”, Smallwood said.
Using the ALMA radio telescope in Chile, researchers observed three dust rings around GW Orionis.
The prominent gap in the rings is the main evidence that one or more massive planets may be present. However, the planet itself has not yet been directly detected.
Additional ALMA observations, planned for the coming months, should help confirm the existence of this mysterious object.
A universe full of surprises
Although multi-star systems may seem exotic, they are actually quite common. About 85% of stars are in binary systems, while about 10% are part of triple or multiple systems. Our Solar System, with its single star, is the exception.
The discovery at GW Orionis not only challenges traditional notions of planetary formation, but also expands our understanding of the universe.
If a planet can exist in such a complex system, what else might be waiting to be found?
When will these mules learn that sun is the name of the star in the solar system? And any other star is not the sun.
Stop being boring. Most people don't care about astronomical knowledge, often preferring superficial and futile subjects. Calling stars suns, besides being a not uncommon practice used by famous science fiction writers, is just a way for the author of the article to make it easier for laymen to understand, by stimulating and popularizing interest in this subject.
The name of this planet is Namek, where Piccolo was born. When Kuririn asks why it doesn't get dark there.