In a celestial discovery that captivates astronomers, a rare star system named HD110067 has been identified, showcasing a mesmerizing arrangement of six planets orbiting around a single star. The intricate geometric pattern, a result of orbital resonance, has been observed and documented by scientists using NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) and the European Space Agency’s (ESA) CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite (CHEOPS).
The HD110067 system, located 100 light-years away, boasts an extraordinary planetary dance where each of the six planets is intricately connected in what astronomers term a “resonant chain.” The orbital resonance follows a distinct pattern—while one planet completes three orbits, another finishes two; one accomplishes six orbits while its neighbor completes one, and so on. This rare and complex arrangement sets HD110067 apart from the thousands of exoplanets discovered to date.
The significance of this discovery lies in the elongated chain of resonances, spanning all six planets. Hugh Osborn of the University of Bern notes, “Amongst the over 5,000 exoplanets discovered orbiting other stars than our sun, resonances are not rare, nor are systems with several planets. What is extremely rare though, is to find systems where the resonances span such a long chain of six planets.”
All six planets in the HD110067 system are categorized as sub-Neptunes, unique entities smaller than Neptune and distinct from planets within our solar system. Despite being common in the realm of exoplanets, these sub-Neptunes hold an enigmatic allure. Formed in resonance, these planets offer a pristine glimpse into a planetary system untouched by disruptive cosmic events.
While gravitational forces often lead to planets forming in resonance, maintaining this delicate balance becomes challenging when perturbations, such as encounters with passing stars or significant impacts from celestial bodies, occur. The HD110067 system, with its undisturbed resonant configuration, presents an invaluable opportunity for researchers to explore the hypothetical longevity of such systems.
Rafael Luque of the University of Chicago emphasizes the rarity of systems like HD110067, stating, “We think only about 1% of all systems stay in resonance. It shows us the pristine configuration of a planetary system that has survived untouched.”
