NGTS-1b: A Rare Discovery

In a process of knowing our solar system more closely the scientists come towards various strange facts. Adding to that, a giant planet has been discovered around a distant star that should not exist according to planet formation theory. It raises doubt on the theories of planet formation which state that a planet of that huge size could not be formed around such a small star asNGTS-1b.

NGTS-1b' however, is a 'gas giant' that is known as ‘hot Jupiter because of its size and temperature. A year on NGTS-1b lasts two and a half Earth-days that mean it completes an orbit in every 2.6 days. Scientist has given the justification that small stars like red M-dwarf are actually the most common in the Universe. It makes the presence of these giant planets common. 

In spite being a monster of a planet, NGTS-1b was difficult to find because its parent star is so small and faint that had made it invisible for years. NGTS-1b is the first planet to be spotted by The Next-Generation Transit Survey (or 'NGTS'). This discovery was made possible because of the tireless efforts of continually monitoring patches of the night sky over many months and detecting red light from the star with high technology red-sensitive cameras. They tracked the planet's orbit and calculated the size, position and mass of NGTS-1b by measuring the radial velocity of the star, using these data.

Content- www.sciencedaily.com

By- Anita Aishvarya