Astronomers have identified 27 new possible planets that orbit two stars instead of one, a rare type known as circumbinary planets. These systems, often described as “twin-sun” planets, offer a clearer view of how planets form in complex star environments.
The discovery suggests that such worlds may be more common than previously believed and expands the search for planets beyond single-star systems.
Rare systems may be more common than once thought
Until now, scientists had confirmed only about 18 circumbinary planets. By comparison, more than 6,000 planets have been discovered orbiting single stars like the Sun. The new candidates suggest such systems may be more common than previously believed.
The potential planets lie between 650 and 18,000 light-years from Earth. This wide range shows they exist across different regions of the galaxy.
Traditional methods miss many systems
Finding planets in these systems remains difficult. Stars are extremely bright, which makes nearby planets hard to detect. Researchers often compare the challenge to spotting a faint candle next to a powerful street light.
Scientists have traditionally relied on the transit method. This technique detects planets when they pass in front of a star and cause a small dip in its brightness. However, this only works when the planet and star align perfectly with Earth. Many systems likely remain hidden because of this limitation.
New method detects subtle stellar changes
To address this gap, researchers used a technique known as apsidal precession. This method focuses on small changes in the motion of two stars that orbit and eclipse each other.
By tracking the precise timing of these eclipses, scientists can detect slight shifts caused by another object in the system. Even small timing changes can signal the presence of a hidden companion.
Margo Thornton, a PhD candidate at the University of New South Wales and lead author of the study, said these variations reveal activity that cannot be explained by the stars alone.
Researchers narrow down likely candidates
The team analyzed 1,590 star systems. After ruling out factors such as stellar rotation and gravitational interaction between the stars, they identified 36 systems showing unusual behavior.
Researchers say this behavior is best explained by the presence of a third object. Of these, 27 are likely to be planet-sized based on current estimates.
Space telescope data support the discovery
The discovery relied on observations from NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, launched in 2018 to search for planets beyond the solar system.
Scientists estimate the candidates range in size from Neptune-like worlds to bodies up to ten times heavier than Jupiter.
Extreme environments raise new questions
Sara Webb, an astrophysicist at Swinburne University of Technology who was not involved in the research, said the study’s techniques could help identify many more planets in the future.
She added that circumbinary planets are likely to have extreme environments. However, some may orbit in stable regions where conditions are not too hot and not too cold.
The findings were published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Researchers plan further observations to confirm the nature of these objects and determine whether they are planets, brown dwarfs, or small stars.
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