All articles tagged with #retrograde orbit
Astronomers have confirmed a planet in the nu Octantis binary star system orbiting in a retrograde direction, challenging existing theories of planetary formation and suggesting the possibility of second-generation planets formed from material expelled by a white dwarf star. This discovery, made using high-precision radial velocity data, opens new avenues for understanding planetary system evolution in complex environments.
Astronomers confirmed the existence of a rare retrograde-orbiting planet in the nu Octantis binary system, which is likely a second-generation planet formed from material ejected by the evolved white dwarf companion, challenging traditional planet formation theories.
The planetary system WASP-131 has a planet, 131b, with an unusual orbit that is tilted about 160 degrees from the rotational plane of the star, meaning that it is in a high, almost polar retrograde orbit. The mechanism behind the odd orbit isn’t clear, but it does follow a pattern seen with many hot gas exoplanets. About a quarter of them have significantly tilted orbits. One possibility is a process known as the Kozai effect, which is more pronounced with smaller planets, and another is a magnetic interaction between the planet and the protoplanetary disk early in its formation.