Rather complex structure: Three Earth-Sized Exoplanets in Binary Star System
TOI-2267 consists of two stars, both orbited by exoplanets roughly the size of Earth. This is particularly exciting for research.
Artist's impression of TOI-2267
(Image: Mario Sucerquia/University of Grenoble Alpes)
An international research group has found evidence of three approximately Earth-sized exoplanets in the binary star system TOI-2267. The system is of particular interest to research because it is the first in which exoplanets transit in front of both stars from our perspective. The exact configuration of the system is not yet known, partly because the stars orbit each other extremely closely. The environment should not actually offer stable gravitational conditions for the development of planets, the team writes. The surprising discovery is therefore a challenge to several classic models of planet formation.
Particularly Interesting Planetary System
The exoplanets were found in the data of NASA's TESS space telescope by special software, explains the Belgian University of Li�ge. The research paper itself indicates that it is not yet clear which of the two stars the two confirmed exoplanets orbit. The third is considered a candidate because it was not found again in follow-up observations. However, the celestial body cannot orbit the same star. This makes the TOI-2267 planetary system quite complex, especially given that the two stars orbit each other very closely. So far, such constellations are only known from stars that are much farther apart and influence each other less strongly.
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The discovery of the three exoplanets in such a compact binary star system is a unique opportunity, explains lead author Sebastián Zúñiga-Fernández. The system can be used to test the limits of different models of planet formation under extreme conditions. It is “a natural laboratory” for understanding the formation of rocky planets under conditions that should actually jeopardize their stability, adds his colleague Francisco Pozuelos. Furthermore, the discovery underscores the value of combining space telescopes with ground-based instruments for exoplanet research. Their team is presenting the findings in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics.
(mho)
