Around the star Gliese 887, two planets were discovered – super-earths. Scientists consider, that there is also a third planet, on which life could theoretically be.
Gliese 887 is a red dwarf and is relatively close to Earth – at a distance of 10.7 light years. This is one of the brightest red dwarfs in the sky and one of the heaviest. Therefore, according to scientists, the star has the characteristics necessary for life to exist on the planets located in the so-called inhabited belt.
Researchers at the University of Gottingen two planets revolving around this bright star at once. These are the planets Gliese 887 b and Gliese 887 c. But they are too close to the star and therefore too “red-hot” for life familiar to the Earth. For example, Gliese 887 b has a mass 4.2 times that of the Earth and the distance to the star is only 6.8% of the distance between the Sun and our planet.
At the same time, scientists believe that the star Gliese 887 is very “quiet” in relation to solar activity and so-called outbreaks. These are fundamental characteristics for long life forms. Moreover, the star is very bright, almost the same as the sun.
Therefore, according to researchers, if a third planet is discovered, then it may well be in a habitable belt. And taking into account the favorable characteristics of the star Gliese 887, life can exist on a potential planet. At the moment, scientists are waiting for the launch of the James Webb space telescope, with which, probably, it will be possible to find the answer if this third planet exists.
– .
