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View all search resultsScientists discover largest planet orbiting 2 suns to date
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This undated artist rendering provided by San Diego State University shows a planet, dubbed Kepler 1647 b, the small black dot at center, as it orbits two suns, designated Kepler-1647 A, the larger star, and Kepler 1647 B, outside our solar system. A team led by astronomers from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and San Diego State University reported Monday, June 13, 2016 the discovery of the largest planet to date that circles two suns. (San Diego State University via AP/Lynette Cook)
Astronomers say they have discovered the largest planet outside the solar system that orbits two suns.
The newfound world, about the size of Jupiter, is 3,700 light-years from Earth. A light-year is nearly 6 trillion miles.
It was detected by a team led by NASA and San Diego State University using the planet-hunting Kepler telescope. The discovery was announced Monday during a meeting of the American Astronomical Society in San Diego.
Although the planet is in the habitable zone — where water that is crucial to life can be liquid — it's not a good candidate to support life because it's so big, scientists said.
(Read also: Scientists find closest thing yet to Earth-sun twin system)
"It's a bit curious that this biggest planet took so long to confirm since it is easier to find big planets than small ones," San Diego State astronomer Jerome Orosz said in a statement.
Planets that circle a pair of suns are nicknamed "Tatooine" after the fictional body in the "Star Wars" films that boasts a double sunset.
In 2011, scientists found the first Tatooine planet — a world about the size of Saturn 200 light-years from Earth.
NASA launched Kepler in 2009 to search for planets — mainly Earth-like planets — outside the solar system.
