Researchers Uncover a Potentially Habitable, Earth-like Exoplanet
Two research groups have identified a potentially habitable exoplanet, slightly smaller than Earth yet larger than Venus, circling a diminutive star a mere 40 light-years from our solar system.
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Two teams of scientists recently found a planet that could potentially support life. This planet is smaller than Earth but larger than Venus, and it orbits a small star located approximately 40 light-years away.
Gliese 12b, an exoplanet, orbits a cool red dwarf star in the constellation Pisces. It is much smaller and cooler than our sun, being only 27% of the size and 60% of the temperature. Two studies published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters and Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society provided this information.
Despite completing its orbit every 12.8 days, Gliese 12b falls within the habitable zone of its star. This zone is the ideal distance from a star where liquid water can exist, even though the star itself is smaller than our sun.
Scientists have calculated that the surface temperature of the exoplanet is around 107 degrees Fahrenheit (42 degrees Celsius), assuming it does not have an atmosphere.
Masayuki Kuzuhara, a project assistant professor at the Astrobiology Center in Tokyo, stated that they have discovered the nearest, transiting, temperate, Earth-size world to date. He co-leads the research team with Akihiko Fukui, a project assistant professor at the University of Tokyo.
For the first time, scientists have spotted signs of the rainbow-like glory effect on a planet beyond our Solar System. Glories are vibrant rings of light that appear in specific circumstances. Data from ESAs Cheops satellite, as well as other ESA and NASA missions, indicate that this stunning phenomenon is visible from Earth. It is coming from the scorching atmosphere of the gas giant WASP-76b, located 637 light-years away.
For the first time, potential signs of the rainbow-like âglory effectâ have been detected on a planet outside our Solar System. Glory are colourful concentric rings of light that occur only under peculiar conditions. Data from ESAâs sensitive Characterising ExOplanet Satellite, Cheops, along with several other ESA and NASA missions, suggest this delicate phenomenon is beaming straight at Earth from the hellish atmosphere of ultra-hot gas giant WASP-76b, 637 light-years away.
ESA
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Scientists have discovered a 'glory effect' on a planet outside our solar system for the first time. After identifying Earth-size planets with moderate temperatures, scientists can study their atmospheres to find out what elements are present and if there is water that could support life.
"We have only discovered a few exoplanets that are potential candidates for further study. This discovery of our closest exoplanet, Gliese 12b, is a significant achievement," said Larissa Palethorpe, a doctoral student at the University of Edinburgh and University College London, who co-led the study, in an interview with CNN.
Exploring Gliese 12b
Scientists discovered Gliese 12b by analyzing data from NASA's TESS, a telescope that observes many stars each month to detect changes in brightness, indicating the presence of exoplanets.
It is simpler for astronomers to locate exoplanets around red dwarf stars because their smaller size causes a more significant dimming effect during transits.
Currently, scientists are not certain about the composition of the atmosphere of this planet. It is unclear if the planet even has an atmosphere, and there is uncertainty about the presence of water. However, Palethorpe mentioned that the team is not anticipating to discover water on this planet.
NASA's Voyager 2 spacecraft captured these views of Uranus (on the left) and Neptune (on the right) during its flybys of the planets in the 1980s.
NASA's Voyager 2 spacecraft captured these views of Uranus (on the left) and Neptune (on the right) during its flybys of the planets in the 1980s.
NASA/JPL-Caltech/B. Jónsson
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She explained that if there is no water, then a runaway greenhouse effect similar to Venus has occurred. On the other hand, if there is water, then the planet is more like Earth. Scientists can also look for detectable signatures indicating a runaway greenhouse effect in progress, such as water loss.
In the next phase of studying the exoplanet's atmosphere, researchers aim to utilize the James Webb Space Telescope for spectroscopy analysis. This technique involves observing the starlight passing through the exoplanet's atmosphere to identify which wavelengths are absorbed by specific molecules, thus indicating their presence in the atmosphere.
Scientists are hoping that studying the exoplanet can provide insight into our own planet. It can help us understand why Earth remained habitable while Venus did not. This research can reveal the different pathways planets take to become habitable.
The exoplanet, although it may have conditions suitable for human habitation and is considered close to our solar system in space terms, is not likely to be visited by anyone in the near future.
According to Palethorpe, the exoplanet Gliese 12b is not within reach as it is located 12 parsecs away. He mentioned that even with the fastest spacecraft available today, it would take approximately 225,000 years to reach Gliese 12b.
Editor's P/S:
The discovery of Gliese 12b, a potentially habitable exoplanet, is an exciting development in the search for life beyond Earth. The planet's proximity to Earth and its location within the habitable zone of its star make it a promising candidate for further study. While it is unlikely that humans will be able to visit the planet anytime soon, the study of Gliese 12b can provide valuable insights into the conditions necessary for life to flourish.
The research team's use of spectroscopy to analyze the exoplanet's atmosphere is a promising technique that could reveal the presence of water and other molecules essential for life. The James Webb Space Telescope, with its powerful capabilities, will be a valuable tool in this endeavor. The study of Gliese 12b can also help scientists understand the different pathways that planets can take to become habitable. By comparing it with Earth and Venus, researchers can gain insights into why Earth has remained habitable while Venus has not. This knowledge can contribute to a better understanding of our own planet and its place in the universe.
