Astronomers Found an ‘Inside-Out’ Solar System That Shouldn’t Exist

Astronomers have discovered a planetary system that defies the conventional understanding of how planets form and arrange themselves around their star. The star, called LHS 1903, is a red dwarf, and the system consists of three planets. The innermost planet appears to be rocky, while the two outer planets are gas-heavy. This configuration is unusual because it is expected that the inner planet would be gas-heavy and the outer planets rocky.

The discovery was made using data from the European Space Agency's CHEOPS (Characterising ExOPlanets Satellite) mission. The CHEOPS mission is designed to study the properties of exoplanets, and in this case, it provided valuable insights into the LHS 1903 system.

The LHS 1903 system is significant because it challenges our current understanding of planetary formation and evolution. The conventional wisdom is that planets form from a disk of material that surrounds a young star, and that the inner planets are typically rocky while the outer planets are gas-heavy. However, the LHS 1903 system appears to be an exception to this rule.

The discovery of the LHS 1903 system has important implications for our understanding of planetary formation and evolution. It suggests that there may be other planetary systems that are similar to LHS 1903, and that our current understanding of planetary formation may need to be revised.

The LHS 1903 system is located about 40 light-years from Earth, and it is one of the closest exoplanet systems to our solar system. The discovery of this system was made possible by the CHEOPS mission, which is a joint project between the European Space Agency and the Swiss Space Office.

The LHS 1903 system is a fascinating example of the diversity of planetary systems in the universe. It challenges our current understanding of planetary formation and evolution, and it highlights the importance of continued exploration and research into the properties of exoplanets.

Sources

[1] Astronomers Found an ‘Inside-Out’ Solar System That Shouldn’t Exist