CosmoView Episode 37: Largest Collection of Free-Floating Planets Found in the Milky Way (VIDEO)

Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)

Caption

Using observations and archival data from several of NSF's NOIRLab’s observatories, together with observations from telescopes around the world and in orbit, astronomers have discovered at least 70 new free-floating planets — planets that wander through space without a parent star — in a nearby region of the Milky Way. This is the largest sample of such planets found in a single group and it nearly doubles the number known over the entire sky.

Credit

Credit: Images and Videos: NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/J. da Silva/ESO/L. Calçada/N. Risinger (skysurvey.org)/DSS2/Miret-Roig et al./M. Kornmesser/H.Bouy/COSMIC-DANCE team/T. van de Zalm/M. Attard. Image Processing: M. Zamani Music: Stellardrone - Airglow

Usage Restrictions

Credit must be given to the creator.

License

CC BY

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.