Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh
A newly discovered planetary system in WASP-132 has challenged previous theories of planetary migration, with a super-Earth, a hot Jupiter, and a distant icy giant coexisting.
Scientists long believed hot Jupiters exist alone, as their inward migration would push out other planets. However, WASP-132 proves this assumption wrong with a multi-planet system.
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David Armstrong, Associate Professor of Physics at the University of Warwick, described the inner super-Earth as a rare find, with a density and composition similar to Earth's.
Credit: University of Warwick
The outermost planet, five times the mass of Jupiter, has an elongated orbit of five years, raising new questions about how gas giants remain stable in multi-planetary systems.
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Planetary migration theories assume hot Jupiters disrupt nearby planets. WASP-132 suggests an alternative ‘cool migration’ path that allows planetary coexistence.
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François Bouchy, Associate Professor at UNIGE, called the WASP-132 system a "remarkable laboratory" for studying planetary evolution, as no system like this has been observed before.
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Precise measurements confirm the super-Earth's composition is rich in metals and silicates, supporting theories that inner planets in hot Jupiter systems could be terrestrial-like.
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ESA’s Gaia satellite has been tracking WASP-132 since 2014, mapping minute stellar movements to detect additional planets, brown dwarfs, or unseen gravitational influences.
WASP-132's complex dynamics challenge traditional planetary formation models, making it a prime target for future space missions and telescopic observations.
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