研究人員在宇宙中發現瞭一個 “完美的太陽系”，它是在沒有發生劇烈碰撞的條件下形成的。而地球所在的太陽系正是因為在形成時發生劇烈碰撞而成為瞭由不同大小的行星構成的大雜燴。新發現的行星系統距離地球100光年，由六顆大小基本一致的行星構成。這些行星自120億年前形成以來幾乎沒有發生過改變。
Our solar system had a violent beginning. Worlds crashed into each other as they formed, disturbing their orbits and eventually leading to the planets of vastly different sizes that we know today.
我們所在的太陽系的初始環境充斥著劇烈運動。太陽系中的天體在相互碰撞中形成瞭各個星球，並擾亂瞭彼此的運行軌道，最終形成瞭我們今天所知的大小截然不同的行星。
But a hundred light years away, astronomers have discovered another solar system – one that was created in much calmer conditions without so many violent collisions.
但在100光年之外，天文學傢在那裡發現瞭另一個太陽系 —— 這個行星系統是在更平靜的條件下形成的，沒有發生過如此多的劇烈碰撞。
As a result, all six of its planets are of similar size, between two and three times the size of the Earth, and their orbits are in perfect sync with each other. It also has a bright star that makes it easier to study their atmospheres for signs of life.
正因如此，這個行星系統中的六顆行星大小相仿，基本都是地球大小的兩至三倍，而且這六顆行星是以一種完美的軌道共振方式在進行公轉。新發現的行星系統中還有一顆明亮的恒星，這有助於人們研究這些行星的大氣層以尋找生命跡象。
詞匯表
solar system 太陽系
crashed into 碰撞，撞擊到
orbits （星球運行的）軌道
vastly 非常地，大幅度地
light years 光年
astronomers 天文學傢
collisions 碰撞，相撞
in sync 同步的
atmospheres 大氣層
signs of life 生命跡象
閱讀理解：請在讀完上文後，回答下列問題。
1. Why are the planets in our solar system vastly different sizes?
2. How far away is the newly discovered solar system?
3. What is similar about the new planets?
4. How can the bright star in the newly discovered solar system help the astronomers?
答案
1. Why are the planets in our solar system vastly different sizes?
Because our solar system had a violent beginning. Worlds crashed into each other as they formed, disturbing their orbits.
2. How far away is the newly discovered solar system?
It’s a hundred light years away.
3. What is similar about the new planets?
All six of them are of similar size.
4. How can the bright star in the newly discovered solar system help the astronomers?
The bright star makes it easier to study the planet’s atmospheres for signs of life.
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