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Possible planet detected in M31

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14 years 9 months ago #78811 by mjc
Possible planet detected in M31 was created by mjc
A model has been done (Italian, Russian, Swiz, and Spanish colaboration) that suggests that it is possible to detect exo-galactic planets via gravitational lensing (causing increase in light curve). A 2004 study of M31 was re-visited and one candidate has been found where the light curve may indicate presence of planet (6 times size of Jupiter) or a brown dwarf.

news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8097141.stm
arxiv.org/abs/0906.1050

Mark
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14 years 9 months ago #78812 by dave_lillis
Replied by dave_lillis on topic Re:Possible planet detected in M31
Amazing, that a planet over 2-3 million light years away could have been detected!

Dave L. on facebook , See my images in flickr
Chairman. Shannonside Astronomy Club (Limerick)

Carrying around my 20" obsession is going to kill me,
but what a way to go. :)
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14 years 9 months ago - 14 years 9 months ago #78835 by Seanie_Morris
Replied by Seanie_Morris on topic Re:Possible planet detected in M31
Dave_Lillis wrote:

Amazing, that a planet over 2-3 million light years away could have been detected!


I agree, exciting news indeed. I'd say it's only a matter of time (within a decade, like) that we will have a space telescope capable of resolving extragalactic planetary candidates in other galaxies in the Local Group. Resolving power is the issue at the moment, but when you see how there are some ground-based telescopes better than Hubble, we're not far off...

Seanie.

Midlands Astronomy Club.
Radio Presenter (Midlands 103), Space Enthusiast, Astronomy Outreach Co-ordinator.
Former IFAS Chairperson and Secretary.
Last edit: 14 years 9 months ago by Seanie_Morris.

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