They boldly went and found an exciting new planet (shame they called it CoRoT-Exo-4b)

Published on Thursday 24 July 2008 21:56

ASTRONOMERS have discovered a new planet the size of Jupiter that could shed light on the behaviour of stars in our galaxy.

The planet, named the distinctly unpoetic CoRoT-Exo-4b, lies within the Unicorn constellation about 3,000 light years from our solar system.

Astronomers, who announced the discovery at a conference at the University of St Andrews yesterday, say it is impossible for the planet to sustain life, as it is made up mostly of gas and is far too hot. But they say it could hold the key to understanding more about the way stars and planets interact.

Scientists from the UK who have been analysing CoRoT-Exo-4b have noticed that the star around which it orbits is in synch with the planet.

Dr Suzanne Aigrain from the University of Exeter, who led the analysis of the data collected by the space mission, said: "It has been seen in at least two other planets but the others were much more massive and closer to the star, so you can understand that they would have forced the star to be in synch."

She is hoping some of the 350 astronomers who attended the "Cool Stars, Stellar Systems, and the Sun" conference this week will have some new theories.

Dr Martin Dominik, astronomer at the University of St Andrews, said: "It happens that you find something completely different to what was expected. This is how you gain knowledge."

The planet was discovered by the CoRoT space mission, led by the French space agency.

With more new planets likely to be discovered in the future by the space mission, Dr Dominik is convinced a planet suitable for life will be found within the next few years.

"I think in the next two to three years we will find it," he said. "It could happen tomorrow. We are very likely to detect a planet that, given our current understanding, could have the conditions for life to develop."

In the past 15 years, the number of planets orbiting stars other than the sun has risen from none to more than 300.

The planet is currently not visible from Earth but will come back into view in autumn. It is, however, too far away to be seen with the naked eye.