NASA’s TESS Discovers ‘Super-Earth’ in Habitable Zone of Nearby Red Dwarf Star
In a groundbreaking discovery, NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) has identified a ‘super-Earth’ planet located in the habitable zone of a red dwarf star. This exoplanet, designated as TOI-715 b, is believed to be accompanied by an Earth-sized planet. The finding is particularly significant as red dwarfs, which are smaller and cooler than the sun, are considered ideal candidates for hosting habitable rocky planets.
TOI-715 b, with a width approximately 1.5 times that of Earth, resides in the region around its star where liquid water can exist without boiling or freezing. This region, known as the habitable zone or ‘Goldilocks zone,’ is crucial for supporting life as we know it. The discovery was made by an international team of scientists led by Georgina Dransfield from the University of Birmingham, utilizing TESS. The exoplanet was observed as it crossed the face of its parent red dwarf star, TOI-715, during its 19-day orbit. TOI-715 is located approximately 137 light-years away from Earth.
TESS has been employing the transit method since its launch in 2018 to detect exoplanets by monitoring the slight dimming of light caused by planets passing in front of their host stars. This method is most effective when planets are closer to their stars and have shorter orbital periods, resulting in more frequent transits.
The proximity of TOI-715 b to Earth, combined with its position within the habitable zone of a cool star, makes it an ideal candidate for further investigation using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). While an exoplanet existing in the habitable zone does not guarantee its habitability, JWST can provide valuable insights into its characteristics, such as its mass and the presence of an atmosphere. These observations could potentially reveal if TOI-715 b is a ‘water world,’ shedding light on its potential habitability.
In addition to the discovery of TOI-715 b, scientists are now striving to confirm the existence of its smaller Earth-sized companion, tentatively named TOI-715 c. If confirmed, this planet would be the smallest world ever detected by TESS. The team’s research has been published in the esteemed journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
The discovery of TOI-715 b marks a significant milestone in the search for habitable exoplanets. With advancements in technology and the upcoming launch of JWST, scientists are poised to unravel the mysteries of these distant worlds and potentially find signs of life beyond our own planet. As we continue to explore the cosmos, each new discovery brings us closer to understanding our place in the universe and the possibility of extraterrestrial life.
