Scientists could find two planets sharing the same orbit for the first time in observational history - a unique pairing close to Earth

Researchers were able to detect two planets that are in the same orbit. This is the first time this has happened in the history of observations.

Here's What We Know

Scientists have long believed that in a gravitational star-planet system, two planets can be located in the same orbit at once. However, they've never seen this in reality. Everything changed recently, and now the researchers are waiting for their version to be confirmed.

To begin with, we note that in the star-planet system there are five points where a third body can be located and be in balance with the other two. Point L3 is on the opposite side of the orbit with the star, and L4 and L5 are on the orbit of the planet. Points L1 and L2 are at a distance from the planet's orbit.

There are Trojan asteroids in the orbit of Jupiter at points L4 and L5. For this reason, planets that are located at these points are called Trojan exoplanets. One of these has been detected by the ALMA radio telescope.

Trojan exoplanet may be located in the star system PDS-70, which is only 370 years from Earth. So far, scientists have only seen an object of low luminosity at point L5. It is expected that in 2026 will be conducted a more detailed study of the system PDS-70, which will be able to confirm the assumption of specialists.

Source: Science Alert