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Astronomers Confirm Super-Earths Are Common in Distant Orbits Across the Milky Way

New microlensing study estimates 35 billion super-Earths in wide, icy orbits, challenging the Solar System's uniqueness.

Overview

  • A super-Earth, OGLE-2016-BLG-0007, was confirmed to orbit 1.5 billion kilometers from a star with 60% the Sun’s mass, offering rare insights into distant planetary systems.
  • Microlensing data from KMTNet suggests that one super-Earth exists for every 0.35 stars, pointing to an estimated 35 billion such planets in the Milky Way.
  • The study identifies two dominant exoplanet populations: super-Earths/Neptune-like planets and gas giants, reflecting distinct formation mechanisms.
  • Findings indicate that planetary systems hosting distant super-Earths likely differ structurally from our Solar System, which lacks such planets in wide orbits.
  • KMTNet's global telescope network in Chile, South Africa, and Australia enhances microlensing observations, with plans to expand for more precise surveys.