Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery by observing the Kepler-51 system using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). The team, led by Penn State and Osaka University, initially aimed to study the super-puff planet Kepler-51d. However, during their observations, the planet unexpectedly transited its star two hours earlier than predicted.
This anomaly led the researchers to hypothesize a gravitational influence from a fourth, yet-to-be-discovered planet. By analyzing transit timing variations, they confirmed the existence of Kepler-51e and refined their models. The discovery marks the first time a planet has been detected using this method with JWST.
The team’s analysis revealed that Kepler-51e has an orbital period of about 264 days and is likely to be a super-puff planet. However, its density is still uncertain due to its unobserved transits. Further observations are needed to understand how Kepler-51e influences its neighbors.
This discovery highlights the need for continued study of transit timing variations, which may help uncover more distant planets in the system and even identify worlds that could support life. The research team is also analyzing JWST data to study Kepler-51d’s atmosphere, shedding light on the formation and evolution of super-puff planets.
Source: https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/New_planet_in_Kepler_51_system_unveiled_with_JWST_observations_999.html