There have been 30 exocomets found in the solar system that are orbiting the star called Beta Pictoris. This star was found 40 years ago and is surrounded by a debris disk that is made from gas and dust. Beta Pictoris is just 20 million years old which is very young when it comes to a star. The first ever evidence of comets grazing by this star came back in 1987. The researchers also were able to determine that the nuclei of the exocomet is between 1.8 and 8.7 miles in diameter.
Key Takeaways:
- Astronomers first discovered the Beta Pictoris star 40 years ago and now there are 30 exocomets orbiting it.
- The first sign of comets crazing by the Beta Pictoris came way back in 1987, which made them the first comets ever found to orbit a star.
- These exocomets have nuclei that are roughly between 1.8 and 8.7 miles when it comes to diameter which is similar to our solar system.
“An international research team observed the Beta Pictoris system for 156 days using NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, or TESS, mission.”
Read more: https://kyma.com/news/2022/04/29/30-exocomets-found-orbiting-star-in-nearby-planetary-system-2/
References:
- Kyma (Website)
- The Cosmic Companion (YouTube Channel)
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