SSS 2012-05-14

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Scientists are looking for Earth-like planets around other stars. But one way to limit the search can be to figure out where an Earth-like planet cannot exist and eliminate those types of systems.

 

In a new study, astronomers¹ turned their attention to so-called hot Jupiters. These are Jupiter-sized planets that have an orbit of only about three days. The scientists looked at 63 hot Jupiters to see if they could find evidence for any nearby Earth-like planets. They found none.

 

But it could be that the companion planets are too small in size or mass or just aren’t detectable² with the current techniques. So the researchers then turned to hot Neptunes, and warm Jupiters—these are Jupiters with slightly longer orbits. They found only 2 potential nearby planets among 222 hot Neptures. And of the 31 warm Jupiters, five showed evidence of a companion. The findings are in the Proceedings³ of the National Academy of Sciences. 

 

The current theory is that hot Jupiters formed and then migrated in towards their stars. The researchers say that the migration⁴ might have “disrupted the formation of Earth-like planets.” Good thing our Jupiter kept its cool.

 

Thanks for the minute for Scientific Americans 60 second Science, I am Cynthia Graber.

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