Week 13 newswriting

  Planetary candidate detected outside of Milky Way galaxy

The Harvard and Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics has recently discovered what they believe is a planetary candidate outside of our Milky Way galaxy. This awe-inspiring discovery is important because it is the first of its kind. 

The possible planet was discovered in the galaxy Messier 51, a whirlpool galaxy that is located 23 million light-years from Earth. 

In the report given, it is stated that the possible planet was discovered using a new method of detection called the “X-ray transit method”. This method is similar to another form of planetary detection that we use within our galaxy called the transit method. The transit method uses light as its main source of detection. For example, let's say we on earth are observing a star. While observing this star there is a constant amount of light hitting earth at any given time. When a planetary object passes in front of the light source being observed, the amount of light being received on earth is disrupted. This disruption is how we find planets. The X-ray transit method applies this concept but uses X-rays in the place of visible light.

This method of planetary detection could be reliable, but will still take time to yield results. Because of the nature of how this method is used, it is not an overstatement to say that it relies on luck. It is stated in the study that due to the nature of the observed object's orbit, it could take another 70 years before we are primed to observe it again. 

This does not mean, however, that this method was a fluke. Just like everything else in science, it will become more advanced with age. Being able to detect something that is relatively small outside of our own galaxy is a big stepping stone for science. Knowing it is possible is the first step toward understanding the greater universe.

Space is the final frontier and will likely never be fully understood. Knowing that galaxies other than our own yield planets only adds to the confusion. That being said, uncovering one mystery usually leads to another, and will help to broaden humankind's understanding of the cosmos.