Artist's impression of an exoplanet orbiting a star in the cluster Messier 67

This artist's impression shows one of the three newly discovered planets in the star cluster Messier 67. In this cluster the stars are all about the same age and composition as the Sun. This makes it a perfect laboratory to study how many planets form in such a crowded environment. Very few planets in clusters are known and this one has the additional distinction of orbiting a solar twin — a star that is almost identical to the Sun in all respects.

Credit:

ESO/L. Calçada

About the Image

Id:eso1402a
Type:Artwork
Release date:15 January 2014, 12:00
Related releases:eso1402
Size:3985 x 2491 px

About the Object

Name:Messier 67
Type:Milky Way : Star : Grouping : Cluster : Open
Distance:2500 light years
Category:Star Clusters

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