"Newly Discovered Exoplanet Resembles a Younger Version of Jupiter"
Scientists at the University of Texas at Austin have used astrometry to directly capture images of AF Lep b, one of the lowest-mass planets ever observed. This groundbreaking technique could revolutionize the discovery of extrasolar planets that are challenging to detect due to their distance, mass, or orientation relative to Earth. AF Lep b is approximately three times the mass of Jupiter and orbits a young Sun-like star about 87.5 light-years away. The combination of direct imaging and astrometry allows for the identification of previously difficult-to-detect extrasolar planets and enables the direct measurement of a planet's mass. The researchers plan to further study AF Lep b using advanced telescopes.