ArtistòÀÙs impression of an exoplanet in a retrograde orbit (without additional graphics)
Up to now it was expected that exoplanets would all orbit in more or less the same plane, and that they would move along their orbits in the same direction as the staròÀÙs rotation òÀÔ as they do in our Solar System. However, new results unexpectedly show that many exoplanets actually orbit at a large angle to their staròÀÙs spin axis. In the case shown here (WASP 8b) the orbit is completely reversed, or retrograde.
Credit:ESO/L. Cal†çada
About the Image
Id: | eso1016c |
Type: | Artwork |
Release date: | 13 April 2010, 12:00 |
Related releases: | eso1016 |
Size: | 3000 x 2120 px |
About the Object
Name: | WASP 8b |
Type: | • Milky Way : Star : Circumstellar Material : Planetary System |
Distance: | 280 light years |
Category: | • Exoplanets • Illustrations |
Wallpapers
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