Upside Down Planet Offers Scientists New Methods for Studying Binary Star Systems

Upside Down Planet Offers Scientists New Methods for Studying Binary Star Systems

Astronomers and scientists have chanced upon an upside down planet like star that gives clues about how to study binary star systems. This star is part of a self lensing binary star system. This means the mass of the closer star can be accurately measured to the extent that there is magnification of light from a distant star which is a companion to it. The sun is not a binary star.

But there are many binary star systems in the universe. In fact, around 40% of the stars in the universe are binary or multiple star systems. The distinct feature of these types of systems is that the gravitational forces of the stars make them dance within close distance of each other. The upside down planet was accidentally discovered by a student astronomer Ethan Kruse from the University of Washington. He was working under Professor Eric Agol from this university.

Distant planets are detected by astronomers when they transit or pass in front of host stars. This occurs when the dimming light provides good conditions for viewing far away objects. Kruse was searching for transits when he discovered the upside down planet. While one normally expects a dip in the brightness when the transit occurs, this system shows the exact opposite qualities. In fact, the upside down planet looks like an anti-transit, which is the very reverse of the expected phenomenon.

This white dwarf star is as large as earth but it is 200,000 times bigger in mass. This star is 2600 light years from earth. It is located in the Lyra constellation. Imagine the magnitude of distance between our planet and this star, as one light year is equivalent to 5.88 trillion miles. Stars can be located at massive distance but the wonders of space technology have made it possible to observe them. This white dwarf star caused an observed increase in light as against the expected dimming. This is because it was bending and magnifying light from neighbours located 43 million miles away. This star has been working via gravitational lensing. In other words, it is like a huge magnifying glass which is reflecting light from distant stars.

What makes it possible to study the mass of the white dwarf star which is closer to earth is the lensing effect. This effect is so strong that it can be used to measure the mass of the white dwarf star. Therefore, this discovery has spurred a whole new method for studying binary star systems. These findings could also be extended to multiple star systems eventually.

The value of this new method is that it can be used to study star systems located at massive distances from earth. Binary star systems which are hard to detect can also be examined closely using this method. What is the value of this? Well, there are amazing benefits of opting for this new method of studying binary stars. One of the top benefits is that we can learn about the true age of the galaxy using this method for studying binary star systems.

The upside down planet can reveal important secrets about our universe and the galaxies. A binary star system occurs when two stars come so close together that their gravitational interaction leads them to orbit around a common centre of mass. The two stars discovered by Kruse as an upside down planet are of the KOI-3278 system and they take turns being near to earth. These two stars orbit each other every 88.18 days. The distance between the white dwarf star and its neighbour is 43 million miles. This is exactly the same distance as the one between Mercury and the sun.

This white dwarf star itself is a cooling star which is believed to be in its final stages of life. Similar self lensing effect without the light brightening effect was observed by CalTech institute as the two stars being studied then were much closer together. The amazing discovery of this upside down planet like binary star system and the new method evolved for studying it is an accidental discovery. However, like the apple that fell on Newton’s head leading him to propose the concept of gravity, this unique discovery will increase the capabilities of scientists to understand more about the true age of the galaxy.