Extra, Extra, Extragalactic!

What a Whirlpool!   (NASA/ESA photo)

Recent headlines were of the “read all about it” variety.  They announced the potential discovery of an extragalactic exoplanet (say that three times fast).

This would be the first time that such a far-reaching planetary discovery has occurred.  Although we have located many an exoplanet within the Milky Way, this newfound one is “about 28 million light years away” in the Whirlpool Galaxy.

Astronomers might not be able to verify these findings for another 70 years, which is when that planet’s orbit would next allow us to get a glimpse.

Resources

https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/26/world/exoplanet-intl-scli-scn/index.html

Copyright October 27, 2021 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved