AI Insight
Astronomers from the UK and France have discovered evidence that Tabby's star, known for its unusual dimming patterns, may be orbited by a massive companion object approximately nine times Jupiter's mass. The finding is based on analysis of data from NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) combined with new radial velocity measurements. This potential planetary-mass companion could help explain some of the mysterious brightness variations observed in this star.
Why it matters
This discovery could resolve one of astronomy's recent puzzles by providing a natural explanation for Tabby's star's strange behavior, which has previously sparked speculation about various exotic phenomena. Understanding this system better contributes to our knowledge of planetary system formation and the range of possible stellar companion configurations.
Understand the Science
By analyzing data from NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) and conducting new radial velocity measurements, U.K. and French astronomers have found evidence that the mysterious Tabby’s star may be orbited by an object about nine times more massive than Jupiter. The new findings are published on the preprint server arXiv.
Source: Tabby's star may be orbited by a planetary-mass companion