Massive Exoplanet Three Times Larger Than Jupiter Was Spotted

Massive Exoplanet Three Times Larger Than Jupiter Was Spotted
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A recently published paper has revealed that an even greater exoplanet is orbiting around the distant star, Kepler-88, as published in The Astronomical Journal. The planet is about 300 times bigger in mass than Earth and three times more massive than Jupiter, being an impressive king of the galaxy.

Jupiter is considered the king of all the planets in our solar system, given its impressive size. A while ago, researchers published that storms on Jupiter are that large that they could fit the entire Earth. However, astronomers have discovered that there are even more planets outside our galaxy that are way bigger than Jupiter.

Data collected by W. M. Keck Observatory in Hawaii was used by the scientists to determine the formation and evolution of the Kepler-88 solar system. The team of astronomers found out that the exoplanets orbiting around Kepler-88 are three, not two, as it was commonly believed, and their orbiting system is slightly different from ours.

Massive Exoplanet Three Times Larger Than Jupiter Was Spotted

Kepler-88 d, the recently discovered exoplanet, orbits around its star using an elliptical pattern, which means that the planet is positioned at some time very close to the sun, while other times it travels far away from it.

The leading researcher, Dr. Lauren Weiss, has declared that Kepler-88 d has offered impressive details regarding the evolution of its star, Kepler-88. The data provided have proven to be even more efficient than the ones collected with the help of Keppler-88 c, another king of the galaxy, which is almost the same mass as Jupiter.

Space is enormous, and it is almost impossible to find two identical galaxies. However, understanding the Kepler system would help scientists understand better the formation of the universe, which will undoubtedly influence the way we view today the Milky Way. Determining how a massive exoplanet affects the other planets in a system could deliver vital information in exploring the other worlds.


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Anna is an avid blogger with an educational background in medicine and mental health. She is a generalist with many other interests including nutrition, women's health, astronomy and photography. In her free time from work and writing, Anna enjoys nature walks, reading, and listening to jazz and classical music.

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