Ukrainian astronomer discovers young gas giant exoplanet
The exoplanet is similar to Jupiter in size, but several times more massive than it (Photo:NASA/JPL-Caltech/SwRI/MSSS/Gerald Eichstäd/Seán Doran)
An international team of astronomers led by Ukrainian astrophysicist Olga Zakhozhay has discovered a young gas giant exoplanet, the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy reported on Nov. 25.
The giant exoplanet, named HD 114082 b, orbits a Sun-like star located approximately 310 light-years from Earth.
While its size matches Jupiter’s diameter, the mass of HD 114082 b is eight times that of Jupiter.
“With an age of only 15 million years, this super-Jupiter is the youngest exoplanet of its kind for which astronomers have managed to determine its radius and mass,” says Zakhozhay.
“Compared to currently accepted models, HD 114082 b is about two to three times too dense for a young gas giant that is only 15 million years of age.”
One year on HD 114082 b lasts 110 days.
This discovery will help astronomers refine their models and theories of gas giant formation in general.
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