Wolf 1069 b’s surface temperatures may range from -95°C to 13°C, ideal for habitability.
Key Takeaways
- Astronomers have confirmed the existence of a rocky exoplanet, Wolf 1069 b, just 31 light-years away, offering promising conditions for potential habitability.
- This Earth-like planet is situated in its star’s habitable zone, making it a candidate for hosting liquid water.
- Wolf 1069 b, at 1.26 times the mass of Earth, orbits its red dwarf star in just 15.6 days.
- The exoplanet is tidally locked, meaning one side always faces its star, creating unique habitability dynamics.
- Advanced techniques like radial velocity detection and international collaboration enabled this groundbreaking discovery.
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A Promising Exoplanet Nearby
A new study led by Diana Kossakowski of the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy has confirmed the discovery of Wolf 1069 b, an Earth-like exoplanet only 31 light-years from Earth. The planet, about 1.26 times the mass and 1.08 times the size of Earth, orbits its host star, Wolf 1069, every 15.6 days. Despite its short orbital period, Wolf 1069 b is within the star’s habitable zone due to the star being a cooler red dwarf. Its proximity to Earth makes it the sixth closest Earth-mass habitable zone exoplanet discovered.
Wolf 1069 b receives about 65% of the solar radiation that Earth does, resulting in moderate surface temperatures ranging from -139°C to 13°C. Scientists consider it a prime candidate for liquid water on its surface, increasing the likelihood of potential habitability. However, its tidal locking—where one side of the planet always faces the star—creates permanent day and night regions, complicating its habitability dynamics.
Cutting-Edge Detection and Future Prospects
The discovery was made using the CARMENES instrument at the Calar Alto Observatory in Spain, which detects exoplanets through the radial velocity method. This technique identifies slight wobbles in a star’s movement caused by a planet’s gravitational pull. While Wolf 1069 b does not transit its star, making atmospheric analysis through current methods like the James Webb Space Telescope impossible, future technologies may unlock more insights into its atmosphere.
The international research team also simulated the planet’s climate, identifying Wolf 1069 b as a potential target for future biosignature studies. Current technologies cannot yet detect biosignatures for non-transiting planets like Wolf 1069 b, but researchers predict such capabilities could emerge in the next 10-30 years.
Wolf 1069 b’s discovery showcases the value of international collaboration and advanced technology in exploring nearby worlds. Follow-up studies aim to refine our understanding of the planet’s system and habitability potential.
The discovery is described in a paper published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics.
