Possible exomoon reported

Many exoplanets are observed or inferred around distant stars, but astronomers report finding the first exomoon, a smaller body orbiting an exoplanet. It is, mind you, an enormous moon.

We present new observations of a candidate exomoon associated with Kepler-1625b using the Hubble Space Telescope to validate or refute the moon’s presence. We find evidence in favor of the moon hypothesis, based on timing deviations and a flux decrement from the star consistent with a large transiting exomoon. Self-consistent photodynamical modeling suggests that the planet is likely several Jupiter masses, while the exomoon has a mass and radius similar to Neptune. Since our inference is dominated by a single but highly precise Hubble epoch, we advocate for future monitoring of the system to check model predictions and confirm repetition of the moon-like signal.

The BBC warns that the authors remain tentative about the exomoon's status. This isn't the first exomoon to be reported, only to be exposed as a boring old exoplanet upon closer inspection.

"We've tried our best to rule out other possibilities such as spacecraft anomalies, other planets in the system or stellar activity, but we're unable to find any other single hypothesis which can explain all of the data we have," said Dr Kipping, from Columbia University in New York.

Sadly, it's unlikely that the exomoon would have an exomoonmoon.

Illo: Beschizza / NASA shots of Jupiter and Neptune

In 1960, my friend Frank Drake launched Project Ozma, the first modern scientific search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI). Frank used the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (image above) in Green Bank, West Virginia to listen for interstellar radio transmissions that might be a signature of ETs. Nearly 60 years and countless scans later, we still haven’t […]

READ THE REST

In the late 19th century, artist/astronomer Étienne Léopold Trouvelot (1827-1895) painted thousands of stunning works illustrating the beauty and science of the known planets, comets, and celestial phenomena. The Huntington Library near Los Angeles holds 15 of Trouvelot’s chromolithographs that were published in 1882 in two portfolios, the Trouvelot Astronomical Drawings: Initially, the Astronomical Drawings […]

READ THE REST

Last week, the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency landed two tiny rovers on the asteroid Ryugu where they’ll “hop” across the rock as part of a mission to collect samples that the Hayabusa2 mothership will return to Earth. Here are new images from the asteroid that’s 289 million kilometers (180 million miles) away from Earth. Far […]

READ THE REST

Whether you’re designing for print or digital, a modern career in graphic design requires more than just an eye for a decent font. Professionals in this fast-growing, artistic field need to be just as nimble with the latest software as any tech worker. If you want to learn graphic design, The Complete Learn To Design Bundle […]

READ THE REST

Whether you’re looking at art for a career, a passion or (ideally) both, the only way to learn is by doing. And thanks to online learning, there’s an easy way to make sure you’re doing it right. The Fundamentals of Drawing Bundle brings a studio full of established painters, portrait artists, and illustrators to your desktop, […]

READ THE REST

That persistent ringing in your ears after a long night at the club or a marathon concert? It’s not just an annoyance. It’s a warning. Tinnitus is no joke, and long exposure to sound levels over 85 decibels can permanently damage your ears. But if you really love the music, make sure you can listen […]