Scientists Stunned! 27 New ‘Twin-Sun’ Planets May Rewrite What We Know About Space

Brief By Newsbrief / 1:21 PM on 08 May 2026

Astronomers at UNSW Sydney have discovered 27 potential planets orbiting two stars, marking a major breakthrough in the search for rare “circumbinary” worlds. The planets were identified using an advanced detection technique based on apsidal precession, a method that studies subtle orbital changes caused by gravitational forces within binary star systems.

Scientists say the discovery could significantly expand understanding of how planets form and survive in complex multi-star environments. Until now, only 18 confirmed circumbinary planets had been identified globally, compared to more than 6,000 known planets orbiting single stars like our Sun.

According to researchers, the newly detected candidates vary greatly in size, ranging from roughly Neptune’s mass to worlds nearly ten times larger than Jupiter. The closest of these potential planets is estimated to be around 650 light-years away from Earth.

The findings have generated excitement within the global scientific community, with experts believing the discovery may reshape existing theories about planetary systems and the possibility of life beyond Earth.