Articles tagged with Extrasolar Terrestrial Planets
A new study by University of Florida Assistant Professor Jason Dittmann reveals that the rocky exoplanet LHS 1140b may have its own atmosphere. The planet's age and atmospheric composition suggest a steady-state atmosphere with water, which could persist over time.
Astronomers have detected an atmosphere on a rocky planet, LHS 1140 b, in the habitable zone of its host star, which is consistent with conditions for liquid water and potentially life. The discovery was made using the WINERED spectrograph on the Magellan Clay telescope and reveals helium escaping from the upper atmosphere.
Researchers have found four exoplanets orbiting Barnard's Star, all smaller than Earth and Venus, but larger than Mars. The planets' composition suggests they are rich in magnesium, which creates periclase, a mineral that does not store water effectively.
Researchers found amino acids are consistently more diverse and evenly distributed in biological samples than abiotic ones, while fatty acids show the opposite pattern. This fundamental principle of life may be detectable in data collected by space missions.
The team analyzed LHS 3844 b's infrared radiation, finding it doesn't match Earth-like silicate-rich minerals. Instead, the spectrum suggests a dark, rocky surface composed of basaltic or magmatic minerals, possibly with a recently active geological history.
Researchers using ESA's Cheops satellite find a small rocky planet in LHS 1903 system, which defies conventional understanding of planetary order and formation. The discovery sparks renewed interest in exploring alternative explanations for this unusual system.
Astronomers have created a naturally occurring space weather station around complex periodic variable M dwarf stars to study the environment of planets. This discovery sheds new light on how stars affect their planets' makeup and might provide clues about the habitability of distant worlds.
A team of astronomers used NASA's JWST to reveal an alien atmosphere in the ancient, ultra-hot super-Earth TOI-561 b. The planet's thick atmosphere is upending conventional wisdom about ultra-short-period planets, and its composition could be representative of planets that formed when the universe was relatively young.
Recent observations of TRAPPIST-1e, an Earth-sized exoplanet in the habitable zone, reveal hints of methane but raise questions about its atmosphere's existence. Researchers caution that more rigorous studies are needed to determine if the methane is a sign of an atmosphere or stellar contamination.
Experimental tests demonstrate that interactions between magma oceans and primitive atmospheres during early years can produce significant amounts of water. This process has major implications for the physical and chemical properties of planets' interiors, with potential effects on core development and atmospheric composition.
Researchers at UC Irvine have identified an exoplanet in the Milky Way Galaxy's habitable zone, which may support liquid water conditions. The super-Earth orbits an M-dwarf star just 18 light-years away, making it a prime target for future direct imaging studies.
A study by Stockholm University revealed a planet-forming disk with an unexpectedly high abundance of carbon dioxide, challenging long-standing assumptions about planetary birthplaces. The discovery was made using the James Webb Space Telescope and suggests intense ultraviolet radiation may be reshaping the chemistry of the disk.
A team of researchers has discovered a fifth planet in the L 98-59 planetary system, confirming its habitable zone and potential for liquid water. The planets' sizes and masses have been determined with unprecedented precision using data from space telescopes and high-precision instruments.
The James Webb Space Telescope has captured evidence of a cataclysmic asteroid collision in the Beta Pictoris star system, which is thought to be similar to our own solar system's early stages. The collision is believed to have occurred about 20 years ago and pulverized the asteroids into fine dust particles.
The MIRI Mid-INfrared Disk Survey (MINDS) discovered a large variety of carbon-rich gases in the disk surrounding a very low-mass star. This finding suggests that rocky planets with Earth-like characteristics may form more efficiently than Jupiter-like gas giants in such disks.
The NASA TESS-Keck Survey catalog features 126 exotic planets with detailed measurements allowing for comparisons with our solar system. Several planets stand out as touchstones for deepening astronomers' understanding of planetary formation and evolution.
Astronomers have discovered a temperate, Earth-size world orbiting a small red dwarf star called Gliese 12. The planet, named Gliese 12 b, has a surface temperature of around 107 degrees Fahrenheit and receives about 1.6 times more energy from its star than Earth does.
Astronomers have discovered an extreme Earth-like planet with lava oceans that orbits its sun-like star every four days. The young planet, just 500 million years old, is the nearest Earth-sized planet found so far and could provide valuable insights into the evolution of planets similar to our own.
Researchers have discovered a multi-planet system that provides a rare glimpse into the formation of planets around a young star. The system consists of six confirmed planets and potentially a seventh, all forming under similar conditions at an age of just 700 million years.
New studies show that giant gas planets in nearby star systems can prevent life on smaller, rocky planet neighbors by kicking them out of orbit and wreaking havoc on their climates. Researchers found that four giant planets in the HD 141399 system are likely to destroy the chances for life on Earth-like planets.
A new study by NASA and Japan's Osaka University suggests that rogue planets, drifting through space without a star, may outnumber stars with orbiting worlds. The Roman Space Telescope could discover up to 400 Earth-mass rogue planets, according to the findings.
The newly discovered exoplanet LP 791-18 d orbits a small red dwarf star in the habitable zone, where liquid water could exist on its surface. Volcanic activity on this planet may sustain an atmosphere and potentially lead to the formation of life.
The newly discovered planet, LP 791-18d, is almost the same size as Earth and has a chaotic environment with intense temperatures and possible volcanic activity. The planet's proximity to its neighbor LP 791-18c could create hazardous gravitational forces, but also potentially seed its atmosphere with gases and water.
Astronomers have discovered an Earth-sized planet, LP 791-18d, with active volcanoes that could sustain an atmosphere, potentially allowing for liquid water and life. The planet's unique tidal locking creates a permanent day and night side, with the night side possibly experiencing condensation of water vapor.
Researchers propose that early interactions between the magma ocean and a molecular hydrogen proto-atmosphere could have given rise to Earth's signature features, including its abundant water. The study suggests that even dry rocky material collisions would generate large quantities of water through these atmospheric-magma interactions.
Astronomers using JWST discovered that the atmosphere of exoplanet HD149026b, a 'hot Jupiter,' is super-abundant in carbon and oxygen, far above expectations. This finding provides insight into planet formation and suggests that giant planets may have varied atmospheric compositions.
The study identifies five exoplanets that resemble Venus in terms of radii, masses, and atmospheric conditions. By observing these 'exo-Venus' planets using the James Webb Space Telescope, scientists hope to uncover valuable insights into Earth's future and the possibility of a runaway greenhouse climate.
A recent experiment by UC Riverside astrophysicist Stephen Kane demonstrates that a terrestrial planet in this location would have disastrous effects on the solar system. The simulation found that such a planet could destabilize Earth's orbit, making it far less habitable and potentially ejecting Mercury and Venus from the solar system.
Two temperate Earth-mass planets orbit GJ 1002, a cool and faint star suitable for atmospheric analysis. The discovery increases the number of known habitable planets to seven near the Sun.
Researchers find that airborne chemical methyl bromide is a compelling indicator of biological activity on other planets. Its detectability increases around M dwarf stars, making it an attractive target for future missions to search for extraterrestrial life.
Researchers discovered a Neptune-sized planet around a bright blue star, shedding light on the dearth of Hot Neptunes. The planet's proximity to its star makes it susceptible to stripping of its gas, but it may survive for a billion years.
Methane may be the first detectable indication of life beyond Earth, according to a new study that establishes conditions for biological activity. The researchers found that atmospheric methane is more likely to be considered a strong indication of life if it co-exists with carbon dioxide and lacks carbon monoxide.
Researchers used lab-based mimicry to reveal a new crystal structure that has major implications for our understanding of the interiors of large, rocky exoplanets. This discovery could have revolutionary implications for how we think about the dynamics of exoplanet interiors.
A team of scientists simulated over 200,000 hypothetical Earth-like worlds to understand the types of environments astronomers can expect to find on real exoplanets. They found that in 90% of cases with liquid water on the surface, there are no ice sheets, but rather permanent ice belts along the equator.
The newly discovered planet is classified as a rocky planet and has similarities to Mercury, with a mass 55% of Earth's. Its high density indicates an iron core, but the surface temperature could reach up to 1500 degrees Celsius due to its proximity to its star.
Researchers used TRAPPIST-1's harmonious orbits to determine the impact history of its seven Earth-sized planets. The study found that these planets could have withstood only limited late bombardment, implying a relatively small amount of water arrived on time for potential life.
A recent study analyzed the photospheric stellar abundances of planet-host stars, uncovering a wide variety of terrestrial planet compositions. The results suggest that extrasolar planets may be significantly different from Earth due to variations in elemental ratios and planetary formation processes.
Researchers have found hundreds of new planets beyond our solar system, with evidence for all three classes of planets detected in extra-solar systems. Carnegie Institution scientists predict that many planets will be habitable, potentially inhabited by life.
Recent findings indicate a trend of increasing water content in the atmospheres of planets, from Jupiter (depleted) to Uranus and Neptune (water-rich). Computer models provide insights into planetary atmospheric chemistry, predicting the composition of Earth-like planets in other solar systems.
Six new planets have been discovered orbiting nearby stars, bringing the total number of known planets outside our solar system to 28. The newly discovered planets are located within the habitable zones of their stars and have temperatures suitable for liquid water to exist in one case.