The Vega Star system can hold a planet as large as Neptune and complete an orbit in just 2.5 days.
Astronomers have discovered that there may be a planet orbiting Vega (Vega) – one of the brightest stars in the sky, Space reported on 3/12. New research published in the journal Astrophysical.
This potential planet is about the size of Neptune. It is located very close to its host star and only takes 2.5 Earth days to complete an orbit. The proximity also causes the surface of this celestial body to reach 2,976 degrees Celsius. If confirmed, it will be the second hottest planet ever to be discovered. The hottest planet is KELT-9b with a temperature of 4,300 degrees Celsius.
Vega is only 25 light years from Earth and is located quite high in the northern sky, belonging to the Summer Triangle group of stars. Scientists will continue to work to confirm the existence of the new planet and find more planets around Vega.
“This is a large star system, much larger than the solar system. Maybe one of them contains other planets. The problem is whether we can detect them or not,” said Spencer Hurt, graduate student of the Greater Solar System. Colorado, Boulder, said.
The team discovered the potential planet as hot as 3,000 degrees Celsius after examining data collected by the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory in Arizona for 10 years. They found that Vega fluctuates slightly, a sign that it is affected by the gravity of an orbiting planet.
Astronomers chased the planets around Vega many years ago. In 2013, a team of researchers published evidence showing the existence of a large asteroid belt around this star. They hope this can pave the way for future planets.
Vega is so bright that a dedicated telescope can see it even during the day, making it more flexible to observe. Astronomers can also see this star with the naked eye at night. Hurt and his colleagues hope to receive direct light from the potential new planet to confirm its existence.
