Nasa — NASA scientists operating the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) announced that they have detected signs of a “Super Earth” orbiting within the habitable zone of its parent star. The newly discovered planet, estimated to be about one and a half times the size of Earth and named TOI-715 b, is only 137 light years away, making it part of our local cosmic neighborhood. Also read: Forest fires in Chile kill at least 46 residents
Given the relatively close location of this planet’s parent star to Earth and its location in the star’s habitable zone, the research team behind this discovery believes that TOI-715 b is a prime candidate for further observations, including possible research using the James Webb Space Telescope ( JWST) to search for signs of life beyond Earth in its atmosphere. Also read: China Slams US Over Allegations of Cybersecurity Slander
The same announcement also stated that there is a possibility of a second planet the size of Earth which is also in the habitable zone of the same star. Also read: Woman in China travels 1,600 km to pick up her mother, to celebrate Chinese New Year together
Unlike Earth which orbits the main sequence star we know as the Sun, TOI-715b orbits a red dwarf star. According to a press release from NASA, the fact that TOI-715b orbits a red dwarf star was very important in its discovery. Also read: Finland Paralyzed by Demonstrations of Hundreds of Thousands of Workers
“These planets orbit much closer together than planets around stars like the Sun,” they explain, “but because red dwarf stars are smaller and cooler, they can orbit the star more closely and stay within the zone.” habitable star.” In this case, TOI-715b orbits its parent every 19 days, so TESS can observe the star’s dimness every time the planet passes between the star and Earth. Dubbed the transit method, this process has facilitated most exoplanet discoveries. Researchers note that this method works best when the host star’s light is dim enough to be seen by telescopes, and this is the case for many red dwarf stars. However, they caution that this method has limitations. “Observing such a transit for, say, an Earth-sized planet orbiting a Sun-like star (and waiting an Earth year, 365 days, to see the next transit) is not possible with telescopes.” existing space telescopes,” they explained. The researchers also showed that TOI-715b is not only in the star’s habitable zone, but this Super Earth is also in the “conservative” habitable zone. This determination significantly increases the possibility of water on the planet’s surface, which astrobiologists say would also increase the chances of finding alien life. At this time, the researchers say they do not have enough information to determine whether the planet is dry and rocky. such as Venus or Mars, or whether the planet contains enough water to be classified as a “water world”. However, they note that if TOI-715b has the right density and other characteristics, a tool like JWST could be aimed at it and potentially reveal whether the planet has an atmosphere or perhaps even the chemical signature of life beyond Earth.” “, including those aboard NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, are designed not only to detect the presence of distant planets, but also to reveal their characteristics,” they explained. “That includes the composition of its atmosphere, which could provide clues about the possible presence of life.” Regarding other planets that may be in the same star system’s conservative habitable zone, the researchers said that confirming their existence would mark an important milestone in the search for potentially supportive Earth-like planets. life.”If a second possible Earth-sized planet in this system is also confirmed, it would be the smallest habitable zone planet discovered by TESS so far,” they said.(Why/thedebrief)Source:
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2024-02-07 06:03:23
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