This illustration provided by Dan Durda shows the exoplanet Kepler-1625b with a hypothesized moon. On Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018, two Columbia University researchers reported their results that the potential exomoon would be the size of Neptune or Uranus. The exoplanet, about 8,000 light-years away, is as big as Jupiter. (Dan Durda via AP)October 5, 2018
Scientists say they may have found the first moon (click here) outside our solar system.
Many planets are known to exist beyond our solar system. But there has been no confirmation of a moon on the outside.
The possible moon appears considerably larger than Earth and is 8,000 light years away. Astronomers say the object is about the size of the planet Neptune. It orbits a planet that is similar in size to the large planet Jupiter.
Alex Teachey and David Kipping of Columbia University recently presented their findings.
The researchers studied 284 planets discovered by NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope. Only one planet, Kepler-1625b, held promise of a possible moon. That planet orbits the star Kepler-1625.
Last October, the researchers aimed the Hubble Space Telescope at the star to study the possibility of a moon nearby.
They were looking for momentary light decreases from the star. The planet itself blocks the light temporarily when it passes in front of Kepler-1625. A second lesser decrease could mean a moon was passing as well.
The astronomers observed such a sign about 3 ½ hours after the planet passed the star....
