Kepler-186F: Earth’s Cousin Discovered 490 Light Years Away

KOMPAS.com – A planet nicknamed “Earth’s cousin” was discovered at a distance of 490 light years from Earth.

The planet is named Kepler-186F, the first Earth-sized planet discovered in its star’s habitable zone.

Only about 10 percent larger than Earth, Kepler-186F is the closest planet to Earth in size ever discovered in its star’s habitable zone.

Facts-facts Planet Kepler-186F

Here are some facts about Planet Kepler-186F:

1. Kepler-186F is a discovery that made history

Kepler-186F is the first Earth-sized alien planet discovered in its star’s habitable zone.

Also read: What does the surface of the hottest planet in the solar system look like?

This means the planet, which is only slightly larger than Earth, is in a part of its star system where liquid water can exist on the planet’s surface.

Astronomers have found other planets in their stars’ habitable zones, but a planet the size of Kepler 186-F is the first to be discovered in its star’s habitable zone.

Scientists discovered Planet Kepler-186F in data collected by NASA’s Kepler space telescope.

2. Planet Kepler-186F may be habitable

Because Kepler-186F is located in the habitable zone around its star, the planet may be a place where life could develop.

It is possible that the planet has an atmosphere that could help keep water in liquid form on the surface, a requirement for Earth-like life.

Also read: What is the Largest Planet Ever Discovered?

However, Planet Kepler-186F is on the outer edge of the habitable zone so there is a possibility that the water on this planet could freeze.

Additionally, its larger size, however, could mean that the planet has a thicker atmosphere.

Even though they know the alien world is in its star’s habitable zone, scientists still aren’t sure what makes up Kepler-186F’s atmosphere.

Scientists also cannot say with certainty that Kepler-186f can support life. The planet is about the size of Earth, but perhaps not quite Earth-like.

3. Planet Kepler-186F is one of five planets in the Kepler-186 star system

Kepler-186F is one of five planets discovered in the solar system located about 490 light years from Earth.

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The newly discovered exoplanet orbits about 52.4 million kilometers from its Sun.

Meanwhile, Planet Kepler-186F takes about 130 days to orbit its red dwarf star.

The other four planets orbiting the star, however, are not in the “Goldilocks zone.”

4. The star Kepler-186 is dimmer than the sun

The star belonging to the planet Kepler-186F is fainter than the Sun so the size of the planet may be somewhat similar to Earth, but the star is not the same as the sun.

According to scientists, it has similar characteristics to Earth, but its “parent” is different.

The so-called “Earth’s twin”, which has yet to be discovered by exoplanet hunters, would be the same size as Earth and orbit a sun-like star.

Also read: Is it possible for astronauts to visit the planet Jupiter?

5. Planet Kepler-186F is cooler than the sun

The star Kepler 186 is about half the mass of the sun, and the newly discovered planet is far enough from its star that a powerful flare probably wouldn’t affect the planet much.

Stars like Kepler-186F also have long stellar lifespans.

If Kepler-186F went around the sun, it would travel within the orbit of the planet Mercury.

Because Kepler-186F is a relatively cool red dwarf star, the planet is still within the star’s habitable zone.

The brightness of the star during the day on the planet’s surface is comparable to the sunlight an hour before it sets on Earth, as NASA says.

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2023-12-21 13:24:00
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