GMAT Sentence Correction (SC) | Re: Verb-ing modifier – Clause modifier or Noun modifier???

Verb-ing modifier – Clause modifier or Noun modifier???

Let’s take a look at a modified version of an official sentence. Read the following sentences and analyse which one of these sentences presents a logical meaning. Present your analysis of thesame.

1.In the past several years, astronomers have detected more than 80 massive planets, circling other stars.
2.In the past several years, astronomers have detected more than 80 massive planets circling other stars.