Jan 11, 2020 - Science

NASA intern discovers new exoplanet

Orion Rummler

Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

A 17-year-old intern at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center discovered a new exoplanet orbiting two stars, NASA announced this week.

Why it matters: This planet, dubbed "TOI 1338 b" is located in a system 1,300 light-years away from Earth, and it is the first world orbiting two stars that's been seen by NASA's recently launched Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS).

Background: TESS launched in April 2018 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. SpaceX is Elon Musk's private space company, which holds billions of dollars in contracts with NASA as well as other companies.

NASA’s K2 and Kepler missions previously discovered 12 planets orbiting two stars in 10 systems, all of which were similar to TOI 1338 b.

Go deeper: Watch NASA's video detailing TOI 1338 b discovery

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NASA intern discovers new exoplanet

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