Currently, astronomers have confirmed the existence of 5,599 extrasolar planets. Another 10,157 objects are awaiting exoplanet candidate status.
In a new study published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics, astronomers examined the protoplanetary disk surrounding the star PDS 70.
Two planets had previously been discovered there, as well as large concentrations of water vapor, indicating the possibility of the formation of Earth-like worlds covered in water. Now scientists have discovered a third planet. All three worlds have a unique orbital resonance, reports Universe today.
The star PDS 70 is located 370 light-years away from us and is very young by cosmic standards: between 5.3 and 5.5 million years old. By studying the protoplanetary disk of gas and dust surrounding the star, astronomers have found evidence for a third planet in the system, still in the process of formation. The Webb Space Telescope was used for this purpose.
As Focus already wrote, astronomers discovered water in the form of water vapor at a distance of 160 million km from the star last year.
Given that water is almost the same distance from the Sun as where Earth formed, it was believed that the same planet could appear there. Either way, these data could change the understanding of how water appeared on Earth and how similar planets are formed.
Although past evidence has pointed to the presence of a third planet near PDS 70, in addition to the two already discovered, astronomers have only now found confirmation that this planet most likely exists there, although it is still forming.
But for now the exoplanet has the status of a candidate for this title, and if the observations are confirmed by the next studies, then it will most likely be named PDS 70 d, because two already known planets PDS 70 b and PDS 70 c.
The study authors believe that a third planet near the star PDS 70 may be in a 1:2:4 orbital resonance with the planets PDS 70 b and PDS 70 c. That is, the planet’s orbital period will be almost exactly two to four times shorter than that of the other two planets.
This can be observed in the Solar System, where Jupiter’s three moons (Ganymede, Europa and Io) are also in an orbital resonance of 1:2:4.
The existence of a galaxy with three planets in this orbital relationship is an extremely important discovery, but it remains to be confirmed.
Scientists say the new research could help better understand how planetary systems form and evolve. By observing young galaxies in different stages of formation, astronomers hope to test different theories about how the solar system formed.
