Researchers have identified a fascinating six-planet system that offers a different take on planetary configurations. The newly reported configuration features six planets around a single star. Their orbits line up in a synchronized manner, which astronomers call resonance.

When planets move in resonance, their orbital periods stay in a fixed ratio for millions or even billions of years. This pattern can be so exact that it reminds some observers of musical tempos.

@science@lemmy.world @science@beehaw.org @space@lemmy.world @space@newsmast.community #space #science #nasa #astronomy

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] Vorticity@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Would the six planets ever perfectly align with one another? That would be pretty cool if every so many years they all foed a line!

[–] Psaldorn@lemmy.world 4 points 2 months ago

Check out stand up maths episode on orbital harmonics.

Basically, yes. Once the planets have sorted of gravitically forced each other into harmonic orbits they will line up now and then.