A team of scientists has discovered an Earth-sized planet located near our Solar System that is potentially habitable.
The exoplanet, named Gliese 12 b, orbits a small red dwarf star about 40 light years from Earth, in the constellation
Pisces. Discovered using NASA's TESS satellite, it is estimated to be between the size of Venus and Earth. Gliese 12 b, whose year lasts only 12.8 Earth days, is found in its star's habitable zone, a region not too hot and not too cold for liquid water, essential for life, to potentially exist.
What does the exoplanet Gliese 12 b look like? Earth on the left for comparison.
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/R. Hurt (Caltech-IPAC)
Although Gliese 12 b is close to its star, it enjoys relatively low temperatures due to the small size and low luminosity of its star. Its surface temperature is estimated to be around 107.6 degrees Fahrenheit (42 degrés Celsius).
Researchers still do not know whether Gliese 12 b has an atmosphere, which is crucial for determining its habitability. A too-thick atmosphere could be unfavorable, while a thinner atmosphere, similar to Earth's, could be more conducive to life.
Red dwarfs, like Gliese 12, make up the majority of the stars in our galaxy. Their low mass and temperature allow them to burn longer than stars like the Sun. This longevity could offer more time for life to emerge on planets orbiting these stars.
However, red dwarfs are also known for their intense magnetic activity, frequently emitting powerful X-rays. These flares could erode the atmospheres of nearby planets, making it difficult for liquid water and life to exist.
Researchers plan to use other instruments, such as the Harps North and ESPRESSO telescopes, to refine the characteristics of Gliese 12 b. They also hope to use the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to study the planet's atmosphere through transmission spectroscopy, a technique that detects elements in a planet's atmosphere during its transit.
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/R. Hurt (Caltech-IPAC)
The JWST is already conducting similar research on the TRAPPIST-1 system, which has planets comparable to Gliese 12 b. Scientists remain cautious about the possibility of life on Gliese 12 b, but this discovery paves the way for promising future research.
This discovery helps us better understand planetary systems around red dwarfs, the most common stars in our galaxy. With more research, we might one day discover signs of life on exoplanets like Gliese 12 b.