In fact, the star is so luminous that researchers will be able to make direct observations of the planet's atmosphere by examining light that shines through it when the star passes within KELT North's field of view again in November.

MSN: Newly discovered alien planet 'resets the bar for weird'

Miss Leavitt found that the rate depends on the star's total light output (luminous Cepheids pulse more slowly than feeble ones) a discovery that allows them to be used for cosmic surveying.

ECONOMIST: Twirls and swirls from outer space