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Astronomers Detect a Solar System They Say Should Not Be Possible
- Using space- and ground-based telescopes, researchers identified four planets orbiting LHS 1903 with an unusual rocky–gaseous–gaseous–rocky arrangement, reported February 12 in Science.
- The red dwarf LHS 1903 is roughly 116 light‑years away and about half as massive as the Sun; its four planets orbit in less than 30 days and range from around 1.4 to 2.5 times Earth’s radius.
- Modeling and dynamical simulations then tested formation hypotheses using transit measurements from NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite and ESA’s CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite plus eight observatories, ruling out collisions and favoring inside-out formation.
- Researchers say the discovery suggests planetary systems evolve more diversely than thought, challenging planet formation models, and Thomas Wilson called it "a unique inside-out system".
- Because such systems are rare, future follow‑up studies of stars like LHS 1903 by astronomers and survey missions will refine planet formation through protoplanetary disks and migration scenarios.
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29 Articles
29 Articles
Scientists have found a weird 'inside out' planetary system. Here's what it looks like
Astronomers have discovered a rare "inside-out" planetary system around the red dwarf LHS 1903, where a small rocky planet orbits beyond two gas giants. The surprising arrangement challenges traditional theories of how planets form and evolve.
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources29
Leaning Left5Leaning Right4Center13Last UpdatedBias Distribution59% Center
Bias Distribution
- 59% of the sources are Center
59% Center
L 23%
C 59%
R 18%
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