A planet 320 light-years away confirms what scientists long suspected
Astronomers have discovered that the ultra-hot Jupiter exoplanet WASP-189b shares a chemical composition ratio of magnesium and silicon with its host star. This finding provides the first direct observational evidence for theories regarding how planetary systems form.
Why it matters
This discovery validates fundamental models of planetary formation, helping scientists better understand the chemical evolution of exoplanets and their potential habitability.
A scorching hot planet nearly 320 light-years from Earth has provided the first direct evidence for a fundamental assumption about how planets form. Astronomers discovered that WASP-189b shares an important chemical characteristic with its host star, supporting a long-standing idea that also helps scientists investigate potentially habitable worlds. The breakthrough came from the first simultaneous measurement of gaseous magnesium and silicon in an exoplanet's atmosphere, using the Gemini South telescope, part of the International Gemini Observatory, which is partially funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and operated by NSF NOIRLab.
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