Latest news with #superEarth
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
This 'super-Earth' exoplanet 35 light-years away might have what it takes to support life
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. A fifth planet has been detected within the habitable zone of a neighboring star, where conditions could perhaps support liquid water and potentially life. Located about 35 light-years from Earth, L 98-59 is a cool, dim red dwarf star already known to host a compact system of small, rocky planets. The latest discovery, led by researchers at the Université de Montréal's Trottier Institute for Research on Exoplanets, confirms the presence of L 98-59 f, a super-Earth with a minimum mass 2.8 times that of our planet. The newly discovered exoplanet follows an almost perfectly circular 23-Earth-day orbit around its star. The world receives roughly the same amount of stellar energy as Earth, placing it in the star's habitable zone — a range of distances where liquid water could exist under suitable atmospheric conditions, according to a statement from the university. "Finding a temperate planet in such a compact system makes this discovery particularly exciting," Charles Cadieux, a postdoctoral researcher at the university and lead author of the study, said in the statement. "It highlights the remarkable diversity of exoplanetary systems and strengthens the case for studying potentially habitable worlds around low-mass stars." L 98-59 f was discovered by reanalyzing data from the European Southern Observatory's (ESO) HARPS (High Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher) and ESPRESSO (Echelle Spectrograph for Rocky Exoplanet and Stable Spectroscopic Observations) spectrographs. Since the exoplanet doesn't transit, or pass in front of, its host star from our perspective, astronomers spotted it by tracking subtle shifts in the star's motion that are caused by the planet's gravitational pull. By combining the spectrograph data with observations from NASA's TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) and James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) — and using advanced techniques to filter out stellar noise — researchers were able to determine the size, mass and key properties of all five planets. The study shows that L 98-59 b, the innermost planet, is just 84% the size of Earth and half its mass, making it one of the smallest exoplanets measured. Tidal forces may drive volcanic activity on the system's two innermost planets, while the third's unusually low density suggests it could be a water-rich world unlike any in our solar system. This diversity offers a rare opportunity to investigate the formation and evolution of planetary systems beyond our own, team members said. RELATED STORIES — Exoplanets: Everything you need to know about the worlds beyond our solar system — Nearby exoplanet could offer clues about atmospheres around hot, rocky alien worlds — Goldilocks zone: Everything you need to know about the habitable sweet spot "These new results paint the most complete picture we've ever had of the fascinating L 98-59 system," Cadieux said. "It's a powerful demonstration of what we can achieve by combining data from space telescopes and high-precision instruments on Earth, and it gives us key targets for future atmospheric studies with the James Webb Space Telescope." Because L 98-59 is small and nearby, its planets are especially well-suited for follow-up atmospheric studies. If L 98-59 f has an atmosphere, telescopes like JWST may be able to detect water vapor, carbon dioxide — or even biosignatures. The new study was published July 12 in the journal Earth and Planetary Astrophysics. Solve the daily Crossword
Emirates 24/7
16-07-2025
- Science
- Emirates 24/7
NASA discovers 'super Earth' planet emitting mysterious signal
NASA has discovered a mysterious 'super-Earth' planet that appears to flash a repeated signal from 154 light-years away. The planet, named TOI-1846 b, is almost twice the size of Earth and four times as massive. It orbits a small, cool red dwarf star every four days and causes a strange, repeated dip in the star's light, a signal that first caught scientists' attention when NASA's TESS space telescope observed the dimming pattern in March of each year. Now confirmed by a team of scientists using both space and ground-based telescopes, TOI-1846 b falls into the so-called 'radius gap,' a rare category between small, rocky planets like Earth and larger, gas-rich planets like Neptune. Despite an estimated surface temperature of 600°F, researchers say the planet may still hold water. It's believed to have a solid rocky core, a dense ice layer, and potentially even a shallow ocean or thin atmosphere. The host star is a "red dwarf," approximately 40 percent smaller in size and mass than the Sun. NASA scientists hope that the James Webb Space Telescope will soon target TOI-1846 b to study its atmosphere using infrared light. Under favourable conditions, Webb will be able to detect signs of water vapour, methane, carbon dioxide, or other gases. Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
Daily Mail
15-07-2025
- Science
- Daily Mail
NASA discovers 'super Earth' planet sending mysterious signal
NASA has discovered a mysterious 'super-Earth' planet that appears to flash a repeated signal from 154 light-years away. The planet, named TOI-1846 b, is almost twice the size of Earth and four times as massive. It orbits a small, cool red dwarf star every four days and causes a strange, repeated dip in the star's light, a signal that first caught scientists' attention when NASA's TESS space telescope observed the dimming pattern in March of each year. Now confirmed by a team of scientists using both space and ground-based telescopes, TOI-1846 b falls into the so-called 'radius gap,' a rare category between small, rocky planets like Earth and larger, gas-rich planets like Neptune. Despite an estimated surface temperature of 600°F, researchers say the planet may still hold water. It's believed to have a solid rocky core, a dense ice layer, and potentially even a shallow ocean or thin atmosphere. Abderahmane Soubkiou, lead researcher at Oukaimeden Observatory in Morocco, said: 'We have validated TOI-1846 b using TESS and multicolor ground-based photometric data, high-resolution imaging, and spectroscopic observations.' Their measurements also showed that the planet circles its star in just under four days, staying on an orbit that is much closer to its sun than Mercury in our Solar System. The host star is a red dwarf, about 40 percent the size and mass of our sun, glowing at around 6,000°F. Because red dwarfs are smaller and dimmer, planets must orbit close to receive warmth, which also makes it easier for telescopes to detect them as they pass in front of the star. TESS, which launched in 2018, has flagged more than 7,600 such transit events and confirmed over 630 planets so far. Its four high-sensitivity cameras scan the sky every 30 minutes, making it ideal for spotting shallow light dips like those from TOI-1846 b. The newly discovered planet is also likely tidally locked, meaning one side always faces its star while the other remains in darkness. This temperature contrast could allow water to be trapped in cooler regions, depending on how heat moves through the atmosphere. NASA scientists hope the James Webb Space Telescope will soon target TOI-1846 b to study its atmosphere using infrared light. If conditions are right, Webb could detect signs of water vapor, methane, carbon dioxide, or other gases. Ground-based telescopes like the Gemini Observatory in Hawaii are also contributing, using a precision instrument called MAROON-X to measure the tiny wobble in the star caused by the planet's gravitational pull, helping confirm its mass and look for hidden neighbors. Researchers believe TOI-1846 b might not be alone. Subtle shifts in its orbit suggest another planet could be lurking in the same system, potentially one orbiting farther out in a cooler, more habitable zone. The discovery comes alongside another recent find: TOI-715 b, a second super-Earth located 137 light-years away, also orbiting a red dwarf. Both planets help fill key gaps in astronomers' understanding of how some small planets lose their atmospheres over time while others manage to keep them. As red dwarfs make up about 75 percent of all stars in the Milky Way, studying planets like TOI-1846 b could reveal how many more potentially habitable worlds might be hiding in our galactic backyard. These discoveries mark another step forward in humanity's quest to understand the makeup of exoplanets and the potential for life beyond Earth. With continued support from both space- and ground-based observatories, astronomers hope to uncover even more secrets locked within the atmospheres and orbits of these distant worlds.
Daily Mail
14-07-2025
- Science
- Daily Mail
NASA discovers 'super Earth' planet emitting mysterious signal
NASA has discovered a mysterious 'super-Earth' planet that appears to flash a repeated signal from 154 light-years away. The planet, named TOI-1846 b, is almost twice the size of Earth and four times as massive. It orbits a small, cool red dwarf star every four days and causes a strange, repeated dip in the star's light, a signal that first caught scientists' attention when NASA's TESS space telescope observed the dimming pattern in March of each year. Now confirmed by a team of scientists using both space and ground-based telescopes, TOI-1846 b falls into the so-called 'radius gap,' a rare category between small, rocky planets like Earth and larger, gas-rich planets like Neptune. Despite an estimated surface temperature of 600°F, researchers say the planet may still hold water. It's believed to have a solid rocky core, a dense ice layer, and potentially even a shallow ocean or thin atmosphere. Abderahmane Soubkiou, lead researcher at Oukaimeden Observatory in Morocco, said: 'We have validated TOI-1846 b using TESS and multicolor ground-based photometric data, high-resolution imaging, and spectroscopic observations.' Their measurements also showed that the planet circles its star in just under four days, staying on an orbit that is much closer to its sun than Mercury in our Solar System. The host star is a red dwarf, about 40 percent the size and mass of our sun, glowing at around 6,000°F. Because red dwarfs are smaller and dimmer, planets must orbit close to receive warmth, which also makes it easier for telescopes to detect them as they pass in front of the star. TESS, which launched in 2018, has flagged more than 7,600 such transit events and confirmed over 630 planets so far. Its four high-sensitivity cameras scan the sky every 30 minutes, making it ideal for spotting shallow light dips like those from TOI-1846 b. The newly discovered planet is also likely tidally locked, meaning one side always faces its star while the other remains in darkness. This temperature contrast could allow water to be trapped in cooler regions, depending on how heat moves through the atmosphere. NASA scientists hope the James Webb Space Telescope will soon target TOI-1846 b to study its atmosphere using infrared light. If conditions are right, Webb could detect signs of water vapor, methane, carbon dioxide, or other gases. Ground-based telescopes like the Gemini Observatory in Hawaii are also contributing, using a precision instrument called MAROON-X to measure the tiny wobble in the star caused by the planet's gravitational pull, helping confirm its mass and look for hidden neighbors. Researchers believe TOI-1846 b might not be alone. Subtle shifts in its orbit suggest another planet could be lurking in the same system, potentially one orbiting farther out in a cooler, more habitable zone. The discovery comes alongside another recent find: TOI-715 b, a second super-Earth located 137 light-years away, also orbiting a red dwarf. Both planets help fill key gaps in astronomers' understanding of how some small planets lose their atmospheres over time while others manage to keep them. As red dwarfs make up about 75 percent of all stars in the Milky Way, studying planets like TOI-1846 b could reveal how many more potentially habitable worlds might be hiding in our galactic backyard.
Sustainability Times
16-06-2025
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'Super-Earth Could Host Life': Stunning New Planet Found in Habitable Zone Ignites Hopes of a Second Earth Beyond Our Solar System
IN A NUTSHELL 🌍 Kepler-725c is a newly discovered super-Earth located 2,475 light-years from Earth. is a newly discovered super-Earth located 2,475 light-years from Earth. 🛰️ The planet resides in the habitable zone of its star, making it a candidate for supporting life. of its star, making it a candidate for supporting life. 🔭 Its elliptical orbit means it is only partially within the habitable zone, affecting climate conditions. means it is only partially within the habitable zone, affecting climate conditions. 🚀 The discovery was made using the transit method, highlighting innovative techniques in exoplanet research. In the vast expanse of space, the discovery of new planets always holds a special allure. Recently, astronomers have uncovered a fascinating find—a super-Earth that resides in the habitable zone of its star. This exoplanet, named Kepler-725c, is intriguing not only because of its potential to harbor life but also due to its unique orbital characteristics. Situated 2,475 light-years from Earth, Kepler-725c challenges our understanding of what makes a planet habitable. This discovery raises significant questions about the conditions necessary for life and the possibilities that lie beyond our solar system. What Makes a Planet Habitable? The concept of habitability revolves around the potential for a planet to support life, which hinges on a complex web of factors including its relationship with its star and other celestial bodies. The standard definition of a habitable planet is one that can sustain life for an extended period. For life as we know it, this requires the presence of liquid water, a source of energy, and essential nutrients. The habitable zone of a star—the region where a planet can maintain liquid water on its surface due to ideal heat levels—is crucial in this context. Astronomers have long sought planets within these zones, driven by the hope of discovering life beyond Earth. Kepler-725c, a super-Earth detected by researchers at the Yunnan Astronomical Observatory in China, fits this bill, orbiting a sun-like star. Although it is ten times more massive than Earth, it is classified as a low-mass exoplanet, highlighting the diversity and potential of celestial bodies in habitability studies. 'It's Huge, and It's Been Hidden for This Whole Time': Astronomers Staggered by Discovery of Eos, a Giant Glowing Cloud in Space An Intriguing Exoplanet Kepler-725c is particularly remarkable due to its highly elliptical orbit, boasting an eccentricity of 0.44 compared to Earth's near-circular 0.0167. This means that Kepler-725c comes significantly closer to its star at certain points in its orbit and much farther at others. This unique trajectory results in the planet spending only part of its orbit within the star's habitable zone. Despite receiving an average of 1.4 times more heat from its star than Earth does from the Sun, this balance is an average over its entire orbit. Should Kepler-725c possess an atmosphere, the varying heat levels throughout its orbit could significantly affect its climate. This raises the question of whether the planet is only habitable for portions of its 207.5-day year. Moreover, Kepler-725c's positioning—being the sole known low-mass planet within a habitable zone and not orbiting a gas giant—adds layers of intrigue, prompting further inquiries into planetary formation and evolution in such unique configurations. 'Doomsday Coming Sooner Than You Think': This Groundbreaking Study Reveals the Imminent Threat Facing Humanity and Why We Need to Act Now The Discovery Method The method used to discover Kepler-725c is as compelling as the exoplanet itself. Researchers employed the transit method, searching for slight dimming in a star's brightness as a planet passes in front of it. This innovative approach offers new avenues for identifying potentially habitable planets that traditional methods might overlook, especially those orbiting sun-like stars or Earth-sized planets with the potential to host liquid water. The transit method's success in finding Kepler-725c underscores its potential in the ongoing search for habitable worlds. This technique not only broadens the scope of known exoplanets but also enhances our ability to identify planets that may share key characteristics with Earth, such as size and distance from their respective stars. 'James Webb Spots Cosmic Shock': This Newly Found Ancient Structure Challenges Everything We Knew About the Early Universe Future Implications of the Discovery The discovery of Kepler-725c opens up numerous possibilities for future research and exploration. It challenges existing notions of habitability and urges astronomers to consider new parameters and models. As technology advances, more sophisticated tools will allow scientists to study such planets in greater detail, potentially revealing atmospheres, climates, and even signs of life. The findings from Kepler-725c could inspire missions focused on exploring its unique environment and studying its star system. Such endeavors would not only expand our understanding of the universe but also fuel our imagination about the potential for life beyond our solar system. The revelation of Kepler-725c as a super-Earth in a habitable zone is a testament to the progress being made in the field of astronomy. It invites us to ponder the fundamental questions about life in the universe and our place within it. As scientists continue to explore, could this exoplanet be the key to unlocking the secrets of life beyond Earth? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.2/5 (20)
