New exoplanet discovered orbiting neighbouring star Beta Pictoris
NASA scientists have discovered a third exoplanet, Beta Pictoris d, orbiting the star Beta Pictoris using the James Webb Space Telescope. The planet is approximately twice the mass of Jupiter and was previously hidden by the star's bright debris disk.
Why it matters
The discovery provides valuable data on the formation of planetary systems and demonstrates the advanced imaging capabilities of the JWST.
INNOVATION New exoplanet discovered orbiting neighbouring star Beta Pictoris by Suhasini Srinivasaragavan
Beta Pictoris planetary system (artist's concept). Image: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Ralf Crawford (STScI)
Beta Pictoris d is estimated to be around two times the mass of Jupiter.
NASA scientists have discovered a new planet orbiting a neighbouring star located 63 light years away from us. The new exoplanet, named 'Beta Pictoris d', is the third to be found contained within the Beta Pictoris planetary system.
The 23m-year-old star Beta Pictoris offers scientists a rare glimpse into how newborn planetary systems form, and how its young planets interact with the dust and residual material left behind from their formation.
The sun, in comparison, is around 4.5bn years old.
The new discovery makes Beta Pictoris the second planetary system ever known to contain at least three planets that have been imaged, NASA said today (15 July).
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