A new exoplanet, similar to one in the “Star Wars” movie Tatooine, has been discovered outside our solar system. Located about 120 light years away, the planet appears to orbit two brown dwarfs at a unique angle. Brown dwarfs are objects that are lighter than stars but heavier than gas giant planets.
The discovery was made possible by observing changes in the motion of the brown dwarf pair over time. Scientists noticed that one day they eclipsed each other more frequently, suggesting their orbits were not synchronized. This unusual behavior is rare and suggests the presence of a third object orbiting the twins.
While the planet’s existence has yet to be confirmed, researchers believe it could provide valuable insights into how planets form and evolve in different environments. The discovery also highlights the potential for celestial bodies beyond our solar system to yield planets vastly different from those found here.
The study’s author, Thomas Baycroft, noted that planets orbiting twin stars have long been a staple of science fiction but are now being confirmed in reality. Further research is needed to determine the planet’s mass and orbit, and to confirm its existence.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/tatooine-exoplanet-brown-dwarf-star-wars-1013df0268aba0929b0a84ebff6239e4