The Digital Press

Some planetary systems with multiple inner transiting planets and an outer giant planet show notable gaps in their inner planet orbits. Researchers investigated whether hidden planets might exist in these gaps and how the outer giant influences their detectability.

Why it matters: Understanding these gaps helps clarify planet formation and system architecture involving outer giants.

The big picture: Outer giant planets do not tilt inner gap planets enough to hide their transits, challenging previous explanations.

Stunning stat: Planets of approximately 2 to 20 Earth masses could stably orbit within the gaps without destabilizing the system.

The other side: Gaps may contain smaller, undetectable planets under 1 Earth radius or be completely empty.