Kepler 16-b: first circumbinary planet?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the classification and confirmation of Kepler 16-b as a circumbinary planet. Participants explore the implications of NASA's statement regarding its status as the "first unambiguous detection" and compare it to previously noted circumbinary systems, raising questions about the criteria for confirmation.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express confusion over NASA's claim that Kepler 16-b is the first unambiguous detection of a circumbinary planet, noting that Wikipedia lists other systems that have been observed.
  • Others clarify that the distinction may lie in the nature of the confirmation, suggesting that Kepler's detection is the first by direct observation.
  • One participant emphasizes that Kepler 16-b's confirmation is the first unambiguous one, contrasting it with previous strong suspicions of other circumbinary planets.
  • There is a discussion about the surface temperatures of the stars involved, with some participants initially misunderstanding the context of temperature references, attributing them to the stars instead of the planet.
  • One participant corrects their earlier misunderstanding regarding the temperature, providing additional context from another news article.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the classification of Kepler 16-b compared to other circumbinary systems, with multiple competing views regarding the nature of its confirmation and the implications of the temperature data.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the definitions of "unambiguous confirmation" and the criteria used to classify circumbinary planets, as well as potential inaccuracies in the sources referenced.

arjose
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NASA says that the case of Kepler 16-b is "the first unambiguous detection of a circumbinary planet." But Wikipedia lists at most five circumbinary systems: PSR B1620-26, HW Virginis, Kepler-16, DP Leonis, and NN Serpentis. If so, why is Kepler's discovery the FIRST if four systems were already observed/noted beforehand? I'm not saying Wikipedia is free from potential tampering but I'm just confused here.
 
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Your post may be answering itself.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14940885:

"Though there have been hints in the past that planets circling double stars might exist - "circumbinary planets", as they are known - scientists say this is the first confirmation."

Wikipedia does say the other five are confirmed, the difference seems to be how they are confirmed, and that the Kepler confirmation is the first by direct observation.

What I didn't know was that stars existed with surface temperatures of -73C to -101C, which I guess they would have to in this case for a gas planet to be existing in an orbit roughly equivalent in size to that of Venus.
 
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this is the first UNAMBIGUOUS confirmation, not the first strongly suspected confirmation
 
cobalt124 said:
Your post may be answering itself.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14940885:

What I didn't know was that stars existed with surface temperatures of -73C to -101C, which I guess they would have to in this case for a gas planet to be existing in an orbit roughly equivalent in size to that of Venus.

Didn't think stars had cold surfaces. Although I've read about those Y-class brown dwarfs.

Btw, you're link is dead. Thanks for the reply though.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Link fixed. That Wikipedia article possibly needs some tidying up.
 
cobalt124 said:
What I didn't know was that stars existed with surface temperatures of -73C to -101C, which I guess they would have to in this case for a gas planet to be existing in an orbit roughly equivalent in size to that of Venus.

Hold on. I think you misread the article on BBC. The surface temperature is for the planet, not the suns. I found this on another news article: "Because both of its suns are smaller and cooler than our sun, Kepler-16b would be quite cold, with a surface temperature of around minus 100 to minus 150F (minus 73 to minus 101C)."
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencet...l-discovery-Kepler-16b-Star-Wars-planet.html"
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Yep sorry, my misread.
 

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