this post was submitted on 15 Jan 2025
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Six-planet system discovered that moves in perfect mathematical harmony

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

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[–] dukeofdummies@lemmy.world 31 points 2 days ago (1 children)

where's the gif/video?

You mean to tell me you're only gonna tell us you found an oddly satisfying thing and NOT gonna show it??

what a tease.

[–] Tower@lemm.ee 21 points 2 days ago (2 children)
[–] dukeofdummies@lemmy.world 8 points 2 days ago

thank you kindly, that was satisfying.

[–] philycheeze@sh.itjust.works 17 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Astrophysics is pretty rad

[–] rockerface@lemm.ee 11 points 2 days ago

Solar system has resonances too, though. It's not something exclusive to that one place, and it's something that arises naturally.

Holy shit. Kepler was born in the wrong solar system

[–] Etterra@discuss.online 7 points 2 days ago
[–] GreyWizard@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 days ago

That's it. That's the one.

[–] Vorticity@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days 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 days 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.