2023-08-12 10:25:23
Northwestern University recently released a time-lapse video showing exoplanet Beta Pictoris b orbiting its star for 17 years. The result of cutting-edge technology and international collaboration, this study offers a unique insight into the trajectory of an exoplanet.
Exoplanets are planets located outside our solar system. Since the first discovery of an exoplanet in the 1990s, they have become a central topic in astronomy, offering valuable insights into the composition and diversity of planetary systems in the universe.
Recently, Northwestern University made a surprising (accelerated) time-lapse, allowing to observe the exoplanet Beta Pictoris b in its 17-year journey around its star. Thanks to a combination of cutting-edge technologies and a collaborative approach, this work has condensed almost two decades of observations into a video of a few seconds. The sequence, the longest of its kind, was produced using real data collected between 2003 and 2020. It opens the way to new observation methods and offers unprecedented insight into the movements and characteristics of these celestial bodies. distant.
An invitation to dream, ready to be worn.
Beta Pictoris b: a giant in space
Beta Pictoris b, an exoplanet located 64 light years from Earth, is distinguished by its colossal mass, equivalent to nearly 12 times that of Jupiter, our largest planet. Compared to the sun, the host star Beta Pictoris is 1.75 times more massive and 8.7 times more luminous. It is also very young — only 20 to 26 million years old.
Although it condenses 17 years of movement of the exoplanet, the sequence shows only 75% of its orbit. The reason ? Beta Pictoris b takes regarding 23 years to complete a full revolution around its star. Jason Wang, the astrophysicist leading the study, from Northwestern University, stresses the importance of patience in studying such space phenomena, given the duration of the phenomena. He explains in a communiqué
: « We still need six years of data before we can see an entire orbit. We are almost there. Patience is the key ».
Teamwork and artificial intelligence
The method used for this prolonged observation is the result of a combination of advanced techniques and close collaboration between experts. Jason Wang, in collaboration with Malachi Noel, used artificial intelligence to process and analyze the images. These images came from three separate archives, each with its own specificities and possible shortcomings.
Artificial intelligence played a crucial role in merging this disparate data to create a continuous and coherent sequence. It made it possible to harmonize the images, fill in the gaps and ensure a smooth transition between the different sequences. This approach not only guaranteed the accuracy of the video, but also ensured that the motions of the exoplanet were faithfully and accurately represented, thus reflecting the reality of the spatial dynamics of Beta Pictoris b.
A fascinating insight into the Universe
By directly visualizing the movements of Beta Pictoris b, researchers and the general public can grasp the complexity and subtleties of the gravitational interactions at work in the Universe. This visual representation transcends raw data and graphics to provide direct immersion in spatial dynamics.
Wang stresses the importance of this visual approach, saying it allows for a deeper, more intuitive connection with underlying physical principles. In other words, seeing an exoplanet in motion makes abstract concepts of space physics tangible and accessible, enriching our understanding of the Universe.
Towards new discoveries
Interest in exoplanets has intensified in recent decades, making their study a central area of modern astronomical research. Efforts by agencies like NASA and ESA have identified a staggering number of these distant planets. With 5,483 exoplanets confirmed and 9,770 candidates awaiting validation, the quest to understand these alien worlds is far from over, however.
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The trajectory of Beta Pictoris b, observable over a period of 17 years, offers invaluable data on the dynamics of exoplanets. For Wang and his team, this is just the beginning. On the strength of this initial success, the researchers plan to continue their observations in order to eventually document the entire orbit of Beta Pictoris b, thus offering an even more complete view of this exceptional exoplanet.
VIDEO : Timelapse of exoplanet Beta Pictoris b’s 17-year journey around its star
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