Potential Moon Discovery Has Astronomers Electrified

Scientists may have found the first planetary satellite outside our solar system
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Oct 3, 2018 4:26 PM CDT
Scientists Suggest First Moon Observed Outside Solar System
This illustration provided by Dan Durda shows the exoplanet Kepler-1625b with a hypothesized moon.   (Dan Durda via AP)

Astronomers may have found the first moon outside our solar system. Per the AP, two Columbia University researchers presented their tantalizing evidence Wednesday. Plenty of planets exist beyond our solar system, but a moon around one of those worlds has yet to be confirmed. The potential moon would be considerably larger than Earth—about the size of Neptune or Uranus. The planet it orbits is as big as mammoth Jupiter.

This apparent super-size pairing of a gaseous moon and planet is 8,000 light-years away. Study authors Alex Teachey and David Kipping say they may be able to validate this particular candidate as early as next year, with more views from the Hubble Space Telescope. In the meantime, they're encouraging other scientists to join in. Their findings appear in the journal Science Advances.

(More moon stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X