• Submitted by: manso
• International
• 11 / 21 / 2010

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Astronomers with European Southern Observatory''s (ESO) La Silla Observatory in northern Chile have discovered the first planet from another galaxy.

Researchers said it is a Jupiter-like planet and orbits a star that was born in another galaxy and later captured by the gravity of the Milky Way.

The find was considered spectacular, taking into account that it is the first time an extra-galactic planet has been discovered.

According to experts, the newfound planet could force astronomers to rethink their ideas about planet formation and survival, since it is the first planet ever discovered orbiting a star that is both very old and extremely metal-poor.

Chile has three observatories in privilege locations of the Atacama and Antofagasta regions.

Source: PL