Messier 67: Star Cluster

Astronomers have spotted three planets in the star cluster Messier 67 when finding one is already a struggle. All three planets have mass similar to Jupiter. One orbits a particular star, YBP1194, that is similar to our sun in mass, temperature, and chemical abundances; scientists can refer to it as a "solar twin". Another orbits the star YBP1514 and the last planet orbits the red giant known as S364. None of these planets are considered habitable since they are far too close to their star.

Credit

ESO/L. Calçada

ENLARGE