Tight grouping of exoplanets 295RA 45dec

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the clustering of exoplanets observed in a specific region of the sky, particularly around right ascension (RA) 295 and declination (DEC) 45. Participants explore potential reasons for this phenomenon, including detection biases related to planet size and the observational focus of the Kepler spacecraft.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that larger exoplanets are easier to detect, which may explain the clustering observed in the data.
  • Others argue that the planets in the specified region are mostly average-sized or slightly smaller than the overall exoplanet data.
  • There is a discussion about the specific direction of the clustering and whether it corresponds to the Kepler spacecraft's field of view.
  • A participant points out that the default histogram linked by the original poster includes size data, which may have led to confusion in the discussion.
  • One participant questions the clarity of earlier statements regarding the size of planets in the cluster.
  • Another participant notes that the center of the Kepler spacecraft's field of view is around RA 290 and DEC 45, which may explain the concentration of detected exoplanets in that area.
  • There is a correction regarding the center of the Kepler field of view, with a participant referencing a figure that suggests a different DEC value.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of planet size in relation to detectability and the reasons for the clustering of exoplanets. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the exact reasons for the observed distribution of exoplanets in the specified region.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the definitions and parameters used in the discussion, particularly regarding the size of planets and the specifics of the Kepler spacecraft's observations. There is also a mention of potential confusion due to the graph referenced by the original poster.

nearc
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does anyone have any information on why the vast majority of exoplanets are located in one spot? any papers on the topic?

the following link does not graph RA vs DEC but instead does something about planet size, if you wish to use it please select RA for the x-axis and DEC for the y-axis, both linear or you can use any other data set it should show the same thing

https://exoplanetarchive.ipac.caltech.edu/cgi-bin/IcePlotter/nph-icePlotInit?mode=demo&set=confirmed
 
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Large planets are easiest to detect.
 
If you are talking about size, it is simply a fact that larger exoplanets are easier to detect.
 
Bandersnatch said:
Large planets are easiest to detect.

most of the planets in that direction are a little smaller than average
 
mathman said:
If you are talking about size, it is simply a fact that larger exoplanets are easier to detect.
most of the planets in that direction are a little smaller than average
 
nearc said:
most of the planets in that direction are a little smaller than average
What direction? Smaller than average what? Please, make yourself clear.
 
nearc said:
most of the planets in that direction are a little smaller than average

If you're referring to the big cluster of planets in the upper right of the graph, they are all approximately the size of Jupiter, likely putting them WELL over the average planetary mass and radius. Big planets, like big stars, should be greatly outnumbered by their smaller and less massive peers (just like we see here in our own solar system). We just can't find these smaller planets as easily.
 
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Drakkith said:
If you're referring to the big cluster of planets in the upper right of the graph, they are all approximately the size of Jupiter, likely putting them WELL over the average planetary mass and radius. Big planets, like big stars, should be greatly outnumbered by their smaller and less massive peers (just like we see here in our own solar system). We just can't find these smaller planets as easily.

lets not be earth-sized-centric here ;) the tight grouping is mostly average-sized if not slightly smaller than the rest of the exoplanet data: graph planet size vs RA and DEC and you will see most of the grouping at RA295ish and DEC45ish fall in the middle and definitely not on the large size, however, I'm not sure why this topic is continuing to veer off OP and talk about planet size?

as Drakkith confirmed "the big cluster of planets in the upper right of the graph", let's get back to the OP which is why is there a "the big cluster of planets in the upper right of the graph"? more precisely RA295ish and DEC45ish [i do loath non-galactic coordinates] has there been any studies on this? i did a quick google search but was unsuccessful
 
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Bandersnatch said:
What direction? Smaller than average what? Please, make yourself clear.

i'm having bad memories of undergrad when a geology TA took off points on my lab report for not specifying the subducting pacific plate was on earth

edit: now that i know people are responding to the incorrectly used graph instead of the OP, this comment may not apply my apologies
 
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  • #10
nearc said:
i'm not sure why this topic is continuing to veer off OP and talk about planet size?

Because the default histogram the OP pointed us to includes size. To get RA vs DEC you need to take additional steps. (Steps the OP neglecvted to mention) Also, the excess is at more like RA 280 than 195.
 
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  • #11
Vanadium 50 said:
Because the default histogram the OP pointed us to includes size. To get RA vs DEC you need to take additional steps. (Steps the OP neglecvted to mention) Also, the excess is at more like RA 280 than 195.

thanks for pointing out the typo, meant to say 295RA, fixed my replies but can not change original title [edit: yes, fixed original OP title] should we close this and reopen a new thread? also the link defaults to something other than i copied, but that is just one external link an only needed if people need some sort of confirmation
 
  • #12
nearc said:
lets get back to the OP which is why is there a "the big cluster of planets in the upper right of the graph"? has there been any studies on this? i did a quick google search but was unsuccessful

I wasn't aware that we'd gotten off-topic. I thought we were talking about why the cluster of planets appeared in that particular spot on the mass vs radius plot, to which the answer is that larger, more massive planets are much easier to detect than smaller, less massive planets.

If you are asking why most of those planets are around 290 RA and 45 DEC, then it's probably because that's where the Kepler spacecraft was looking for the duration of its mission. The center of its FOV falls almost exactly at 290 RA and +45 DEC.
 
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  • #13
Drakkith said:
I wasn't aware that we'd gotten off-topic. I thought we were talking about why the cluster of planets appeared in that particular spot on the mass vs radius plot, to which the answer is that larger, more massive planets are much easier to detect than smaller, less massive planets.

If you are asking why most of those planets are around 290 RA and 45 DEC, then it's probably because that's where the Kepler spacecraft was looking for the duration of its mission. The center of its FOV falls almost exactly at 290 RA and +45 DEC.

thanks a bunch, that makes sense, however, the following figure suggests its center is around 37 DEC is that correct?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kepler_( spacecraft )#/media/File:Kepler_FOV_hiRes.jpg
 
  • #15
Drakkith said:
Nope. Notice that the DEC lines are curved. :wink:

wow, I'm not paying attention, thanks again
 

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