Researchers have recently unveiled details about one of the most extreme planets in the universe, the exoplanet WASP-189b, which orbits one of the hottest stars known to have a planetary system.
In a press release published by the University of Bern on September 28, 2020, they also revealed that the WASP-189 is larger than the largest planet of the Solar system – more than one and a half times as large as Jupiter.
“WASP-189b is especially interesting because it is a gas giant that orbits very close to its host star. It takes less than 3 days for it to circle its star, and it is 20 times closer to it than Earth is to the Sun.”
– Monika Lendl, lead author of the study from the University of Geneva, and member of the National Centre of Competence in Research PlanetS
Based on the observations using the European Space Agency’s CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite (CHEOPS), it is estimated that the temperature of WASP-189b is 3,200 degrees Celsius.
In such a high temperature, iron melts and becomes gaseous. Thus, according to Lendl, it is one of the “most extreme planets” they have know so far.
Objects like WASP-189b are also considered as very exotic, this is since such objects have a permanent dayside, which is always exposed to the light of the star and a permanent night side.
Source: Artist’s impression of the WASP-189 system/European Space Agency’s
WASP-189b is too far away and too close to its host star that the researchers cannot see the planet itself. “The WASP-189 system is 322 light-years away and located in the constellation Libra,” said Lendl.
Which is why they have to rely on indirect methods. CHEOPS used highly precise brightness measurements and using data from CHEOPS, scientists have carried out a study of the WASP-189b.
“Because the exoplanet WASP-189b is so close to its star, its dayside is so bright that we can even measure the ‘missing’ light when the planet passes behind its star; this is called an occultation. We have observed several such occultations of WASP-189b with CHEOPS,” Lendl explained.
The study about this is called “The hot dayside and asymmetric transit of WASP-189b seen by CHEOPS” and it is accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics on September 17, 2020.
See more news and updates like this one by exploring our Baguio City Guide website and by liking and following our official Baguio City Guide Facebook page. You may also drop by our official Baguio City Guide YouTube channel to catch our latest content.
Source: University of Bern, Science Alert, German Aerosapace Center, Astronomy & Astrophysics
For more information, see our complete guide on PMA Entrance Exam Results 2019| PMAEE 2019 List of Passers.
This website uses cookies.