Astronomers discover largest planet outside the solar system orbiting the two stars
Q. Astronomers have discovered the largest planet outside our solar system orbiting two stars- what is its name?- Published on 14 Jun 16a. Kepler 1657 b
b. Kepler 1647 b
c. Kepler 1667 b
d. Kepler 1677 b
ANSWER: Kepler 1647 b
Astronomers have discovered largest planets outside our solar system orbiting two stars, at a distance indicating potential habitability for people.
- Group of NASA astronomers have made the discovery using the Kepler space telescope revealing the finding at a meeting of the San Diego American Astronomical Society.
- The gaseous planet dubbed Kepler 1647 b is the size of Jupiter and has a wide orbit around two stars in 1107 days or around three years.
- Discovery is the eleventh of its kind since 2005
- Planets that orbit these two stars known as circumbinary planets are called Tatooines after a fictional planet in Star Wars where Luke Skywalker was raised.
- Kepler- 1647b is further from the two stars than any other known circumbinary planet, placing the planet in an orbit that places the planet within the so called habitable zone.
- This would make the planet neither too hot nor cold for human habitation and water is prevalent in liquid form
- Kepler 1647b is gaseous indicating possibility of life to be slightly unlikely though any large moons orbiting the planet could host life.
- Astronomer Laurance Doyle of the SETI institute first noticed Kepler-1647 b’s transit in 2011 Business.
