Scientists detect first moon outside our solar system

New Delhi : In a brand new finding, the scientists have detected first moon that exists outside our solar system. The exomoon is a large gaseous body of Neptune size; it is believed to be orbiting another gaseous planet bigger than Jupiter.

The exomoon was first detected on October 3, stunning scientists with its different structure as compared to known 180 moons in our solar system.

According to a study, published in Science Advances, the theory of declaring it as moon is yet to be confirmed post observations by Hubble telescope. "This would be the first case of detecting a moon outside our solar system," said David Kipping, an assistant professor of astronomy at Columbia University, PTI reported.

“If confirmed by follow-up Hubble observations, the finding could provide vital clues about the development of planetary systems and may cause experts to revisit theories of how moons form around planets,” Kipping added.

What are exomoons?

Exomoons are defined as the natural satellites of the planets orbiting stars outside our solar system. Till date, there has been no confirmed example of any exomoon. Researchers from Columbia University said that such large moons do not exist in our solar system, where almost 200 natural satellites have been found.