Join me, Gerd Dani, the voice behind freeastroscience.com, as we delve into the celestial wonderland, presenting an engaging tale of a notable discovery. It's a journey 3,000 light-years away from our pale blue dot, where we uncover the awe-inspiring phenomenon of NGC 6811, a star cluster veiled within the magnificent constellation Swan. This revelation not only feeds your curiosity but tickles your imagination, opening your eyes to the grandeur of our cosmos.
The Hidden Wonders of NGC 6811
Permeating the stellar fabric of the constellation Swan is NGC 6811, an open cluster situated an astonishing 3,000 light-years from our home planet. Though not discernable to the naked eye due to its +6.8 apparent magnitude, a simple pair of 10x50 binoculars unveils its discreet allure.
The Stellar Component Census of NGC 6811
Thanks to the keen eye of the Kepler Telescope, the distinct characteristics and the constituent stars of this cluster have been meticulously charted. Establishing a family of more than 70 stars, each aged over 700 million years, has been possible due to the precise observations provided by Kepler.
The Celestial Secret – Exoplanets within the Cluster:
The telescope's data also led to a groundbreaking revelation. A recurring dimming pattern became evident, ascribed to two sun-like stars within the star cluster. This intriguing phenomenon points to the existence of exoplanets partially eclipsing their parent stars, casting a transient shadow and leading to periodic brightness variations.
The Rare Gas Giants
This evident occurrence set the stage for the confirmation of the presence of two gas giants, a tad smaller than Neptune, a spectacle seldom seen. The 2013 discovery highlighted the rarity of finding exoplanets nestled within star clusters. Furthermore, locating ones smaller than Jupiter among the 4,000 known exoplanets adds a unique notch.
Why is it Rare to Discover Exoplanets in Such Clusters?
Finding exoplanets in clusters such as NGC 6811 is an astronomical rarity. The stars within these clusters huddle closely, their intense ultraviolet radiation, combined with gravitational interplay, tends to dismantle protoplanetary disks rather swiftly. These disks, under usual circumstances devoid of disturbances, are the cradle where planets take form.
Credit: Michael Bachofner.
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