Researchers have learned new intriguing details about a group of Earth-like exoplanets.
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We are talking about the planets orbiting the star TRAPPIST-1 in the constellation Aquarius at a distance of almost 40 light-years from the Sun. This planetary system was discovered in 2016 and is considered one of the most promising in the search for life outside the solar system.
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Scientists know that three of the seven planets of the system are in the habitable zone, where the existence of water in liquid form is theoretically possible. It was also established that all the planets of the system have approximately the same mass and size as the Earth, which means that these are rocky worlds, and not gas giants like Jupiter or Saturn.
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In a new study published in Planetary Science Journal, scientists were able to refine the mass and density of the planets using four-year observations of the now defunct Spitzer Space Telescope.
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It turned out that the density of the planets is even higher than expected. It is only 8% smaller than the earth. The planets also have a similar material composition with a slightly lower iron content than on Earth (21% versus 32%, respectively).
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It is also possible that iron on these planets is saturated with oxygen and forms iron oxide or rust.
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