Discover a nearby exoplanet that could harbor life

Researchers have discovered an exoplanet where life could be possible. Universe Gliss 12 b It is slightly smaller than Earth, about the size of Venus. It's just him 40 light years Removed with it The closest Earth-like planet.

Researchers suspect that it is an exoplanet similar to our neighboring planet. It revolves around the central star Gliese 12, one Red dwarf In the constellation Pisces. The star just has it 27 percent The size of the sun and only round 60 percent Its surface temperature (about 3500 degrees instead of the Sun's 5500 degrees).

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A habitable zone despite its proximity to the star

One revolution around the central star takes only time 12.8 days. The distance to Gliese is only 12 b 7 percent The distance between the sun and the earth. But since red dwarfs are cooler, it's possible that planets are very close by, too habitable Offer terms. If Gliese 12 b had no atmosphere, it would have a surface temperature of 100°C 42 degrees to have.

It receives 1.6 times more energy from its star than the Sun hits the Earth. It is in the so-called Temperate zoneThat is, the area that has the appropriate temperature for the presence of liquid water.

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Gliese 12 b is one of the best targets to study whether Earth-sized planets orbiting a cool star can retain their atmospheres. “This is an important step in our understanding of habitable planets in our galaxy,” he says. Shishir Dholakia From the University of Southern Queensland in Australia In the current situationwho participated in the study with international astronomers.

Good view that Gliese 12b has atmosphere

In theory, the first atmospheres were swept away from Venus and Earth. It was then restored through volcanic activity. However, there is a shortage of water on Venus, which is why the conditions there are not suitable for life. Since Gliese 12 b is located right between the two planets, it is possible that the atmosphere there is intact. This is important for housing.

Another indicator of the atmosphere is that the central star is not an exceptionally strong star Magnetic Activity appears. Red dwarfs often send out strong signals X rayWhich could harm the planet's atmosphere. These solar storms can 100 to 1000 times They are stronger than those emanating from our sun.

Further investigation with James Webb

Gliese 12 b was found TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey). The telescope observed part of the sky for a month. it was there Changes in brightness Measured in stars. It could indicate that an exoplanet is orbiting them and blocking them for a short time. this Transit method Common for finding new planets. The related study was published in the Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society.

With the James Webb Telescope Gliese 12 b will now be examined in more detail. It can use the spectrum to analyze the planet's composition and see if it already has an atmosphere.