A planet similar to Jupiter ‘Exoplanet’ was discovered by Kepler Telescope 17,000 light-years away. It was named as K2-2016-BLG-0005Lb and found circling a star.

Highlights

Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system
The exoplanet was found with a technique called microlensing
Laster this decade NASA will deploy the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope

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What a fascinating discovery made by the scientists and Exoplanet similar to Jupiter with the same size and mass was found circling a star 17,000 light-years away from earth. The Kepler Telescope is regarded as the retired Telescope discovered in 2016. The planet is assumed to be the farthest planet yet to be discovered. The planet is known as K2- 2016-BLG-0005 LB ‘Exoplanet’ was discovered with a technique known as microlensing.

The method with which the planet was discovered works on the concept of a gravitational field that impacts the brightness of the star they orbit. The mammoth planet is similar to the planet Jupiter having similar mass and size at almost the same distance as Jupiter distance from the Sun in the Solar system.

The principal investigator and the main funding source of the discovery, Dr. Eamonn Kernis works for the Science and Technology Facility Council (STFC) said about the discovery is remarkable in many aspects because Kepler was never capable to make such a discovery with the microlensing technology to detect planets.

As the researchers added in a research paper said “This result highlights the advantages for exoplanet microlensing discovery that come from continuous, high-cadence temporal sampling that is possible from space.”

As per the space agency, NASA said it will, later this decade will deploy its Nancy Grace Roman Telescope using microlensing technology. With the Telescope, Nancy Grace could discover thousands of faraway planets.

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