Thursday, June 10, 2021 | 15:16 WIB
Eksoplanet. [Melmak/Pixabay]
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KlikBabel.com – NASA scientists discovered a strange planet recently, called TOI-1231b because it has an atmosphere very similar to Earth.
The exoplanet orbiting an M dwarf, or red dwarf, was discovered by researchers from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the University of New Mexico.
The scientists were able to characterize the star and measure the radius and mass of TOI-1231 b.
These measurements give scientists the data they need to calculate the density and hypothesize what the planet’s atmosphere is made of.
This sub-Neptune-sized planet has a temperate climate with a 24-day orbit, eight times closer to its parent star than Earth to the Sun, but its temperature is very similar to Earth’s.
This is because the red dwarfs on this planet are less powerful. Its atmosphere is about 140 degrees Fahrenheit, making TOI-1231 b one of the coldest exoplanets for atmospheric research ever discovered.
In addition, it is possible that the planet has high clouds in its atmosphere as well as evidence of water.
“Future observations of this new planet will allow us to determine how common water clouds form around this temperate planet,” said Jennifer Burt, NASA scientist. Independent, Thursday (10/6/2021).
TOI-1231 b’s low density indicates that the planet is surrounded by a substantial atmosphere.
However, the composition and extent of the atmosphere are still unknown. TOI-1231 b can have a large hydrogen or hydrogen-helium atmosphere, or a denser water vapor atmosphere.
Each would show a different origin, allowing astronomers to understand whether and how planets formed differently around M dwarfs when compared to planets around the Sun.
The team of scientists was able to figure this out by investigating whether the gas exploded and looking for evidence of hydrogen and helium atoms.
However, as the planetary system is moving rapidly away from Earth, experts hope to carry out such research.
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Editor: septianitian
Source: Suara.com
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