An artistic impression depicts two out of the seven newly detected exoplanets orbiting a star analogous to the Sun, designated Kepler-385, a discovery made possible through data from the Kepler mission of NASA. Image courtesy: NASA/Daniel Rutter
Data from the Kepler space telescope has disclosed the existence of a newly identified planetary system, named Kepler-385, which hosts a septet of substantial, intensely heated planets circling a star somewhat more expansive and warmer than our own Sun.
Research on NASA’s Kepler space telescope, now decommissioned, has exposed a system with seven torrid planets. Each is subject to a greater degree of stellar irradiation per unit surface area than any known planet within our solar system. These planets, all constituting the system known as Kepler-385, are uniquely situated in size between Earth and Neptune and none resemble our solar neighbors. This system is rare in that it contains more than six confirmed planets or planet candidates. The discovery of Kepler-385 serves as a highlight within a fresh Kepler catalog that features nearly 4,400 planetary candidates, including upwards of 700 systems with multiple planets.
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Meticulous Cataloging of Exoplanets
Jack Lissauer, a scientist at the Ames Research Center of NASA in California and the leading author of the study presenting this catalog, asserts, “We have compiled the most precise compilation of Kepler’s planet candidates and their characteristics to date.” He notes that the Kepler mission is credited with the discovery of the vast majority of exoplanets currently known, and this refined catalog will facilitate further examination of their properties.
In this artistic rendition, we see the Kepler-385 system which has been recently detailed in a new catalog of planet candidates located by the Kepler space telescope. Image courtesy: NASA/Daniel Rutter
At the core of the Kepler-385 system is a star akin to our Sun, surpassing it by 10% in size and 5% in temperature. The system’s two closest planets, each slightly larger than Earth, are likely terrestrial with potential thin atmospheres. The remaining five are twice the size in radius and are likely cloaked by dense atmospheric layers.
Advanced Analytical Methods Leading to Ongoing Discoveries
The detailed description of the Kepler-385 system underscores the quality of the newly released exoplanet catalog. This edition of the Kepler mission’s database focuses not only on the prevalence of exoplanets but also on a complete registry that accurately details the characteristics of each system, enabling the identification of systems like Kepler-385.
The catalog benefits from enhanced stellar property measurements and improved calculations of each planet’s transit trajectory across their star, indicating that multiple transiting planets within a system are more inclined to have circular orbits compared to systems with fewer planets.
Although Kepler’s prime observation phase ended in 2013, with its extended mission, K2, concluding in 2018, the collected data persist in revealing new aspects of our galaxy. With the mission already establishing that planets outnumber stars, this study provides a refined understanding of those planets and their respective systems, enriching our knowledge of the vast array of worlds that lie beyond our own solar system.
The research paper, “Updated Catalog of Kepler Planet Candidates: Focus on Accuracy and Orbital Periods,” has been accepted for publication in The Journal of Planetary Science.
Citation: “Updated Catalog of Kepler Planet Candidates: Focus on Accuracy and Orbital Periods” by Jack J. Lissauer, et al., Accepted, The Journal of Planetary Science.
arXiv:2311.00238
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Kepler-385 Exoplanets
What is Kepler-385 and how was it discovered?
Kepler-385 is a newly identified system with seven Earth to Neptune-sized exoplanets orbiting a star that is slightly larger and warmer than our Sun. This system was discovered using data from NASA’s Kepler space telescope, which, although no longer operational, continues to provide valuable information through its extensive database of stellar observations.
How many planets in the Kepler-385 system are Earth-sized?
The Kepler-385 system includes two planets that are slightly larger than Earth and are presumed to be rocky. These are the closest to the host star and may possess thin atmospheres. The other five planets are larger, with a radius about twice that of Earth’s, and are expected to be enveloped by thick atmospheres.
What makes the discovery of the Kepler-385 system significant?
The Kepler-385 system’s discovery is significant because it is one of the few known systems that contains more than six verified planets or planet candidates. This system, revealed in the latest Kepler catalog, provides a deeper understanding of the diverse planetary systems that exist in our galaxy.
How does the new Kepler catalog improve the study of exoplanets?
The new Kepler catalog offers the most accurate list of Kepler planet candidates and their properties to date. With improved measurements of stellar properties and more precise calculations of planetary transits, the catalog enables astronomers to learn more about the characteristics and composition of these exoplanets, making discoveries like Kepler-385 possible.
What does the future hold for the data from the Kepler mission?
The data from the Kepler mission, which includes observations from both its primary mission phase and its extended K2 mission, continues to be a treasure trove for new discoveries. Although the telescope is no longer collecting data, ongoing analysis continues to expand our understanding of the number of planets, their types, and the arrangement of planetary systems in our galaxy.
More about Kepler-385 Exoplanets
- NASA’s Kepler Mission
- Kepler-385 System Discovery
- The Journal of Planetary Science
- Ames Research Center
- Kepler Extended Mission – K2
- arXiv Submission: Updated Catalog of Kepler Planet Candidates
5 comments
incredible how we can now detect exoplanets thousands of light years away but still struggle with cell phone reception in some areas right here on earth lol
these exoplanets are all larger than earth – just imagine the gravity on those planets, you would feel so heavy, not sure if I’d want to visit even if I could!
gotta say, the Kepler telescope keeps on giving even after its mission ended…these new planets are just the tip of the iceberg, who knows what else is hiding in that data.
Wow just read about Kepler-385, and it’s mind-blowing to think there’s another solar system with 7 planets out there, makes you wonder if we are really alone in this vast universe?
so the article says there’s a new catalog of planets from Kepler, but how can we be sure these planets are real and not just blips on a screen or something?