For the first time, astronomers have discovered a planet from outside of the Milky Way galaxy. Some 2200 light years from Earth, scientists from the European Southern Observatory have discovered a planet they’ve named HIP 13044b, which entered the Milky Way from a group of planets and galaxies called the Helmi stream. This is the first time a planet has entered our galaxy from a neighboring galaxy, and HIP 13044b has brought a dying star with it. That’s right, it’s a completely foreign solar system, butting into our galaxy.
“This planet is unique,” said Johny Setaiwan, a researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy in Heidelberg, Germany. “It will tell us about the evolution of a planetary system.”
The discovery was made at the European Southern Observatory’s telescope array located high on top of La Silla, a mountain in Chile. It is believed that the red giant star engulfed the planets close to it as it enlarged. While the red dwarf is stable now, it will eventually go supernova and take HIP13044b with it. Scientists are eagerly awaiting this event, as it may be our first chance to watch a solar system die.
Tags: space, astronomy, planets, intergalactic planets, Helmi stream, HIP 13044b, first non-Milky Way planet discovered, plant from outside of the Milky Way discovered, planet orbiting a dying star, unusual planets, space phenomenon, La Silla, Chile, European Southern Observatory, Johny Setaiwan, Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, Heidelberg, Germany
