.. an article copy-and-pasted from a website titled "Daily Galaxy".. article written by Jessica Bennett.. (Bennett with two 'n' s and two 't' s..)..

Daily Galaxy 47.6K Followers Astronomers Discover Eccentric Giant Planet Just 124 Light-Years from Earth! Story by Jessica Bennett • 5d • 4 min read Image credit: NASA | The Daily Galaxy --Great Discoveries Channel Image credit: NASA | The Daily Galaxy --Great Discoveries Channel © Daily Galaxy CA A groundbreaking discovery in the field of exoplanet research has revealed a fascinating new planet orbiting a star just 124 light-years away from Earth. Dubbed GJ 2126 b, this massive world is not only remarkable for its proximity but also for the extraordinary characteristics of its orbit. This new finding was made possible through the use of high-precision instruments like the HARPS spectrograph, which measures minute changes in the movement of stars caused by their orbiting planets. As detailed in the study, which is published in Astronomy & Astrophysics, GJ 2126 b exhibits one of the most eccentric orbits ever discovered for an exoplanet, with an eccentricity value of 0.85. The discovery opens up new avenues for understanding planetary formation and the potential for similar worlds that may challenge our current models of planetary dynamics. The Mystical Witch Statue is Taking Ontario by Storm Ad The Mystical Witch Statue is Taking Ontario by Storm IIIPU call to action icon more The Unusual Orbit of GJ 2126 b One of the most striking features of GJ 2126 b is its highly eccentric orbit, which deviates significantly from the nearly circular orbits that most planets, including those in our solar system, follow. Unlike Earth or Jupiter, whose orbits are relatively stable and circular, GJ 2126 b follows a stretched and elongated path around its host star, causing dramatic fluctuations in its distance from the star. The planet’s orbit takes it as close as 0.11 AU (approximately 9.9 million miles) and as far as 1.31 AU (about 122 million miles) during each 272.7-day orbital period. “This planet orbits a low-mass star and ranks among the most eccentric exoplanets discovered,” said Arbel Schorr, the lead author of the study fromTel Aviv University’s School of Physics and Astronomy. This high level of eccentricity is rare, as most planets, including those in our solar system, orbit in more circular paths. The implications of such an orbit are far-reaching, suggesting that GJ 2126 b might experience extreme variations in its temperature, atmospheric conditions, and possibly even its weather patterns over the course of a single orbit. Related video: How big is the Solar System? (JaredOwen) Current Time 0:00 / Duration 1:34 JaredOwen How big is the Solar System? 0 View on Watch View on Watch The study also raises interesting questions about the planet’s past. Such an eccentric orbit often points to a chaotic formation history, potentially shaped by gravitational interactions with other massive bodies early in the planet’s existence. According to the researchers, this “high eccentricity often points to a chaotic past shaped by strong gravitational run-ins.” Mass and Composition of GJ 2126 b At a minimum mass of approximately 1.3 times that of Jupiter, GJ 2126 b is a giant planet, akin to the gas giants we find in our own solar system. This mass estimate comes from the radial velocity data collected through 112 measurements using the HARPS spectrograph, a key tool in detecting planets by monitoring the subtle wobbles in a star’s motion as it is affected by the gravitational pull of orbiting planets. If You're Over 40 & Own a PC, This Game is For You! Ad If You're Over 40 & Own a PC, This Game is For You! Game of Thrones call to action icon more However, the exact mass of GJ 2126 b could be even higher, as the inclination of its orbit is still uncertain. The current data suggests that the planet’s orbit might not be aligned in such a way that would allow for a more accurate determination of its true mass. The lack of any significant drift in the data over time, however, rules out the possibility of a very massive object, such as a brown dwarf, orbiting the star. As Schorr stated, “We report the discovery of GJ 2126 b, a highly eccentric (e = 0.85) Jupiter-like planet orbiting its host star every 272.7 days.” The composition of GJ 2126 b is still under investigation, but like Jupiter, it is likely made up primarily of hydrogen and helium, with a potential for heavier elements in its core. This classification as a “Jupiter-like” planet also points to the possibility that it could share many of the same characteristics as the gas giants we are familiar with, albeit with unique differences due to its unusual orbital characteristics. Incredible deals on the tech you love. Ad Incredible deals on the tech you love. Best Buy Canada call to action icon more How the Planet Was Detected The detection of GJ 2126 b is a testament to the precision of modern astronomical instruments and data analysis techniques. The planet was discovered using the HARPS spectrograph, a highly sensitive instrument located at the European Southern Observatory’s 3.6-meter telescope. The HARPS spectrograph is capable of detecting tiny shifts in a star’s position caused by the gravitational pull of an orbiting planet, making it ideal for discovering exoplanets. The researchers analyzed 252,615 velocity measurements taken from 5,239 stars, as compiled in the HARPS-RVBank dataset. This public dataset allows independent teams to analyze the data and potentially spot signals that previous searches might have missed. The precision of the HARPS instrument, which can detect changes in velocity as small as one meter per second, enabled the researchers to uncover the subtle wobbles of the star caused by GJ 2126 b’s gravitational influence. The Future of GJ 2126 b Research The discovery of GJ 2126 b opens up several exciting avenues for future research. While the planet’s eccentric orbit has been well documented, further studies are needed to refine our understanding of its physical properties, such as its true mass and radius. One of the key challenges in studying GJ 2126 b is the lack of a visible transit, which would allow astronomers to more accurately determine the planet’s size. As Schorr notes, “The radius is unknown because no transit has been seen in the available survey photometry.” This means that astronomers will need to rely on other techniques, such as detailed velocity campaigns and astrometric monitoring, to gather more data about the planet’s characteristics. In the future, researchers may be able to use long-baseline velocities to detect subtle variations that could indicate the presence of additional companions or interactions within the system. Enjoyed this article? Subscribe to our free newsletter for engaging stories, exclusive content, and the latest news. For more news like this, visit Dailygalaxy.com. Sponsored Daily Galaxy Visit Daily Galaxy Scientists Crack Open Dinosaur Teeth — and Unearth a Chilling Climate Secret This Mysterious Ancient Pool May Have Been Built To Follow The Stars Scientists Stunned By 200-year-old Painting That May Show A Real Extinct Beast Sponsored