1RXS J160929.1-210524, a star with a unique name and captivating features, is situated 500 light-years away from Earth. Although its size and temperature are somewhat smaller and cooler than our Sun, it stands out for being significantly younger. Recent estimations place its age between 5 and 10 million years.
The Discovery of a Directly-Imaged Exoplanet
Circling this youthful star is an exoplanet that, in 2008, became the first-ever planet orbiting a Sun-like star to be directly captured in a photograph. The groundbreaking image, taken in infrared, reveals the planet at the top left of the star.
Characteristics of Directly-Imaged Exoplanets
For an exoplanet to be directly photographed from Earth, it typically needs to possess significant mass and be situated far from its host star. The exoplanet around 1RXS J160929.1-210524 meets these criteria, boasting a mass more than eight times that of Jupiter and orbiting its star at a distance of 330 astronomical units (AU). For comparison, Neptune's orbit is 30 AU from the Sun. With such a vast separation, the planet takes over 6,500 years to complete a single revolution around its star.
Infrared Observations of the 1RXS J160929.1-210524 System
The 1RXS J160929.1-210524 system was observed in infrared wavelengths due to the exoplanet's young age, which cannot be older than its host star. This youthfulness results in a high infrared brightness, which can be attributed to the residual heat generated during its formation through gravitational contraction.
Conclusion: A Glimpse into a Young Stellar System
The 1RXS J160929.1-210524 system offers a fascinating glimpse into a young star with a directly-imaged exoplanet. As our understanding of these distant celestial bodies expands, it serves as a reminder of the vast and diverse universe that awaits our exploration.
_Image Credit: Gemini Observatory, D. Lafreniere, R. Jayawardhana, M. van Kerkwijk._
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