TORUN, Poland – Astronomers from Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun have made an exciting cosmic discovery in the Great Bear constellation. The new planet, named HD 118203, is a massive gas planet that orbits its star at a distance six times that of Earth. The planet is believed to have extremely low temperatures, with a maximum of minus 100 degrees Celsius. This groundbreaking finding was published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics.
The star that the planet orbits, also known as HD 118203, is located in the northern sky in the Great Bear constellation. Measuring 20 percent more massive and twice as large as the sun, the star is estimated to be around 5 billion years old. The planet was first listed in Henry Draper’s stellar catalog and is a significant discovery for astronomers and researchers.
The discovery of this new planet was made possible with the help of the historic Draper telescope, one of the world’s first astrographs. Built in 1891 in Cambridge, the telescope is now situated in the observatory in Piwnice, near Torun. Over the years, the telescope has contributed to important astronomical research, including the Henry Draper catalog of stars and their spectral classification.
For almost two decades, astronomers have been studying the star HD 118203, initially discovering a gas giant in 2006. Further observations and research efforts revealed the presence of another planet orbiting the star, leading to the recent discovery. The astronomers’ perseverance and dedication to their research ultimately paid off, allowing them to uncover crucial information about the planetary system.
The newly discovered planet is part of a hierarchical planetary system, a unique configuration where one planet forms a tight pair with its star while another planet orbits the pair in a wider orbit. Despite the system’s complexity, the gravitational interactions between the planets are stable over millions of years. This discovery sheds light on the formation and evolution of planetary systems, providing valuable insights for astronomers.
Looking ahead, the astronomers are eager to continue their observations and research, hoping to uncover more planetary discoveries in the future. By engaging students and doctoral candidates in their research efforts, they aim to further expand our understanding of the universe and the mysteries it holds. With ongoing advancements in technology and observational techniques, the possibilities for new astronomical discoveries are endless.