In some planetary systems, the direction that a star spins and the direction its planets orbit don’t always line up. A new study explores what we can learn from these nonconformists. The post A Pileup of Perpendicular Planets appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
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Astronomers Detect Potential Moon-forming Disk around an Exoplanet
Astronomers have made the first clear detection of a dusty disk surrounding an exoplanet, which could eventually go on to form moons. The post Astronomers Detect Potential Moon-forming Disk around an Exoplanet appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Read MoreGravitationally Unstable Disk May Collapse to Form Planets
Astronomers investigate the spiral arms of a young star’s disk and find evidence of a disk so massive that it could collapse to form planets. The post Gravitationally Unstable Disk May Collapse to Form Planets appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Read MoreNASA’s Kepler Finds Outcast Earths
Astronomers uncovered four new Earth-mass rogue planet candidates by searching for microlensing events observed with Kepler. The post NASA’s Kepler Finds Outcast Earths appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Read MoreAstronomers Challenge Claim of Planet Around Barnard’s Star
Astronomers thought a super-Earth might orbit nearby Barnard’s star. But a new study disputes that claim, arguing that stellar activity might be masquerading as the planetary signal. The post Astronomers Challenge Claim of Planet Around Barnard's Star appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Read MoreProxima Centauri Releases Powerful Flare
The Sun dwarfs its nearest stellar neighbor, but Proxima Centauri’s flares pack a comparatively energetic punch. The post Proxima Centauri Releases Powerful Flare appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Read MoreFar-out Gas Giant Exoplanet Puzzles Astronomers
Astronomers have discovered a super-Jupiter orbiting its young star on a surprisingly wide orbit. How did it get there? The post Far-out Gas Giant Exoplanet Puzzles Astronomers appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
Read MoreSpotting a Faint Escaping Atmosphere
Low-density exoplanets orbiting close to their host stars tend to lose their atmosphere. Now, astronomers can measure how fast it disappears. The post Spotting a Faint Escaping Atmosphere appeared first on Sky & Telescope.
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