Astronomers rule out Jupiter-sized planets in 70 Ophiuchi AB

University of Michigan astronomers combined a century of radial-velocity data with new observations from the Magellan Clay and Harlan J. Smith telescopes to rule out Jupiter-mass planets in the 70 Ophiuchi AB system 16 light-years away. Giant planets are excluded within 5 AU of star A and 0.5 AU of star B, while Saturn-sized and smaller worlds in the habitable zone remain possible.

• 70 Oph AB lies 16 light-years away, Earth's third-closest binary system
• Planets of Jupiter mass or greater ruled out within 5 AU of 70 Oph A
• Around 70 Oph B, giant planets excluded within 0.5 AU
• Saturn-sized and smaller worlds in the habitable zone remain possible