Four Synchronized Planets Reveal Clues to How Planets Form (IMAGE)

Penn State

Four Synchronized Planets Reveal Clues to How Planets Form

Caption

This animation illustrates the Kepler-223 planetary system, which has long-term stability because its four planets interact gravitationally to keep the beat of a carefully choreographed dance as they orbit their host star. For example, each time the innermost planet (Kepler-223b) orbits the system's star 3 times, the second-closest planet (Kepler-223c) orbits precisely 4 times, and these two planets return to the same positions relative to each other and their host star. The orbital periods of the four planets of the Kepler-233 system have ratios of exactly 3 to 4, 4 to 6, and 6 to 8. The ratio of these orbits is so precise that they provide a stabilizing influence for the planetary system.

Credit

W. Rebel Note to reporters: A license is granted for free worldwide public-domain use.

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The image credit, W. Rebel, must be published along with the image.

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