Imagine a galaxy that’s about 28 million light-years away from us. That’s really far! This galaxy is called the Whirlpool Galaxy, or Messier 51 (M51). It’s famous not just because it’s beautiful, but also because of an amazing discovery made there. Scientists found the first exoplanet outside our Milky Way galaxy in this galaxy!
The exoplanet they found is named M51-ULS-1b. It’s a planet similar to Saturn, which is one of the planets in our solar system. This planet orbits a star that is similar to our Sun, but it’s in the Whirlpool Galaxy. Finding M51-ULS-1b is a big deal because it’s the first time we’ve found a planet outside our own galaxy.
Scientists used a special tool called NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory to find M51-ULS-1b. They watched how the X-rays from a system called an X-ray binary changed. An X-ray binary is made up of a star like our Sun and either a neutron star or a black hole. When M51-ULS-1b passed in front of its star, it blocked some of the X-rays, which helped scientists know it was there. This is called a transit.
M51-ULS-1b is special because it’s an exoplanet, meaning it’s outside the Milky Way. It orbits a star that is very close to a neutron star or a black hole. These objects pull gas from the star, which gets super hot and gives off X-rays. This is how scientists could spot the planet.
Finding M51-ULS-1b is exciting because it helps us learn more about planets outside our galaxy. It also shows how powerful our modern tools are for exploring space. M51-ULS-1b is the first exoplanet found outside the Milky Way, and it opens up new possibilities for discovering more about the universe!
Create Your Own Galaxy Model: Gather some craft supplies like colored paper, glue, and glitter. Imagine what the Whirlpool Galaxy might look like and create your own model of it. Think about where M51-ULS-1b might be in your galaxy. Share your model with your family and explain what makes M51-ULS-1b special.
Observe the Night Sky: With the help of an adult, go outside on a clear night and look at the stars. Try to find a star that you think might have planets orbiting it, just like M51-ULS-1b orbits its star. Imagine what it would be like to discover a new planet. Write a short story about your adventure as a space explorer.
Transit Experiment: Use a flashlight and a small ball to understand how scientists detect planets like M51-ULS-1b. In a dark room, shine the flashlight on a wall to represent a star. Slowly move the ball in front of the light to mimic a planet passing in front of a star. Notice how the light dims. This is similar to how scientists observe transits to find exoplanets!
