CHEOPS telescope reveals new planets orbiting star
A Swiss-designed telescope travelling on board the CHEOPS space satellite has revealed three previously undiscovered planets orbiting a distant star, whose physical composition raises questions about how planetary systems are formed.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/mga
Español
es
Cheops revela la existencia de sistema planetario único
Previous observations of the TOI-178 star had pointed towards a three-planet system. CHEOPS soon found two other planets, with all five orbiting the star over different time spans (two, three, six, ten and 20 days) but in harmony with each other.
Scientists believed that yet another planet could be present with an orbit period of 15 days. The CHEOPS telescope evaded a near collision with space debris to confirm the hypothesis and reveal a sixth planet.
More
In space exploration, Switzerland punches above its weight
Nobel laureates, an exoplanet telescope, and instruments on board 50 space missions: In space, Switzerland is everywhere.
The telescope was able to measure the size and density of each planet, readings that were to bring surprising results that challenge contemporary theories of how planetary systems evolve.
“In the few systems we know with such a harmony, the density of planets steadily decreases as we move away from the star,” stated European Space Agency scientist Kate Isaak. “In the TOI-178 system, a dense, terrestrial planet like Earth appears to be right next to a very fluffy planet with half the density of Neptune followed by one very similar to Neptune.”
“The system therefore turned out to be one that challenges our understanding of the formation and evolution of planetary systems,” added astrophysicist Adrien LeleuExternal link of the Center for Space and Habitability, which is run by the University of Bern, the University of Geneva and the National Center of Competence in Research PlanetS.
More
More
How a special telescope learns about new planets
This content was published on
The Swiss-led CHEOPS space telescope observes bright stars known to host planets.
The CHEOPSExternal link (CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite) mission launched in late 2019 and has a three-year mission to study 100 of the more than 4,000 known exoplanets – planets outside our solar system – discovered so far. CHEOPS was developed as part of a partnership between the European Space Agency (ESA) and Switzerland. The joint mission is led by the University of Bern, in collaboration with the University of Geneva.
Over 100 scientists and engineers from 11 European states were involved in constructing the satellite over five years. The Science Operations Center of CHEOPS is located at the observatory of the University of Geneva.
First large-scale alpine solar plant approved in Switzerland
This content was published on
The approval was met with satisfaction by the project's organisers, but it also brings with it a certain amount of pressure.
Medieval squirrels may have ‘helped spread leprosy’
This content was published on
An examination of squirrel remains in the United Kingdom has opened up interesting questions and possibilities in terms of the history of the disease.
Swiss money laundering office registers record number of reports
This content was published on
The Money Laundering Reporting Office Switzerland (MROS) registered a record number of reports of suspicious activity last year.
Two teens accused of planning terror attack released from custody
This content was published on
The Schaffhausen judiciary has released the two teenagers from custody who allegedly planned bomb attacks in Switzerland.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss space telescope declared fit to observe distant planets
This content was published on
The telescope is travelling on board the satellite CHEOPSExternal link (CHaracterizing ExOPlanets Satellite) as part of a joint mission with the European Space Agency (ESA) and Switzerland, led by the University of Bern, in collaboration with the University of Geneva. The testing phase was carried out without a hitch, despite team members being forced to work…
This content was published on
A space telescope developed by Swiss researchers to observe distant planets has successfully delivered its first pictures.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.