Discovery of Unusual Solar System Structure

Scientists have discovered an unusual ‘inside-out’ star system, LHS 1903, located 116.27 light-years away, defying the typical arrangement of rocky planets near their star and gas giants farther away. This system features a rocky planet as the closest to the star, followed by two gas worlds, and a fourth rocky planet, suggesting a unique formation history. Researchers led by Thomas Wilson from the University of Warwick propose that these planets formed at different times and environments, challenging previous assumptions about planetary systems. The discovery was made using the European Space Agency’s CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite (Cheops).

Want More Context? 🔎