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Cold Neptune and Two Temperate Super-Earths Found Orbiting Nearby Stars

Astronomers have discovered three new exoplanets orbiting stars in our galactic neighborhood. The planets include a "cold Neptune" and two "temperate super-Earths." The discovery was made using data from NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) and the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (VLT). This article will explore the details of this exciting discovery.

Introduction

The search for exoplanets has been ongoing for decades, and with the help of advanced technology, astronomers have discovered thousands of planets beyond our solar system. The latest discovery includes three new exoplanets orbiting nearby stars, which are of particular interest due to their unique characteristics.

What are Exoplanets?

Exoplanets are planets that orbit stars outside our solar system. They are also known as extrasolar planets. These planets are difficult to detect because they do not emit light of their own, but instead, they reflect the light of their host star. Astronomers use various methods to detect exoplanets, including the transit method, radial velocity method, and direct imaging.

The Discovery

The three new exoplanets were discovered using data from NASA's TESS and the VLT. TESS is a space telescope that searches for exoplanets using the transit method. It observes a star's brightness over time and looks for dips in brightness that could be caused by a planet passing in front of the star. The VLT is a ground-based telescope that uses the radial velocity method to detect exoplanets. It measures the wobble of a star caused by the gravitational pull of an orbiting planet.

The "cold Neptune" was discovered orbiting a star called GJ 433, which is located about 30 light-years away from Earth in the constellation of Canis Minor. The planet is about 2.8 times the size of Earth and has a mass about 18 times that of Earth. It orbits its star every 5.7 days and has a surface temperature of about -200 degrees Celsius.

The two "temperate super-Earths" were discovered orbiting a star called TOI-1266, which is located about 120 light-years away from Earth in the constellation of Sextans. The planets are about 1.9 and 1.6 times the size of Earth and have masses about 4 and 2.7 times that of Earth, respectively. They orbit their star every 13.3 and 19.5 days and have surface temperatures of about 60 and -50 degrees Celsius.

Significance

The discovery of these three exoplanets is significant because it adds to our understanding of the diversity of planets in our galaxy. The "cold Neptune" is particularly interesting because it is a type of planet that is not found in our solar system. It is larger than Earth but smaller than Neptune, and it has a rocky core surrounded by a thick layer of gas.

The two "temperate super-Earths" are also significant because they are located in the habitable zone of their star, which is the region where liquid water could exist on the surface of a planet. This makes them potential candidates for hosting life.

Conclusion

The discovery of three new exoplanets orbiting nearby stars is an exciting development in the search for life beyond our solar system. The "cold Neptune" and two "temperate super-Earths" add to our understanding of the diversity of planets in our galaxy and provide potential targets for future exploration.

FAQs

Q1: How do astronomers detect exoplanets?

A: Astronomers use various methods to detect exoplanets, including the transit method, radial velocity method, and direct imaging.

Q2: What is the habitable zone?

A: The habitable zone is the region around a star where the temperature is just right for liquid water to exist on the surface of a planet.

Q3: Could the "temperate super-Earths" host life?

A: The "temperate super-Earths" are located in the habitable zone of their star, which makes them potential candidates for hosting life. However, further study is needed to determine if they have the necessary conditions for life to exist.

This abstract is presented as an informational news item only and has not been reviewed by a subject matter professional. This abstract should not be considered medical advice. This abstract might have been generated by an artificial intelligence program. See TOS for details.

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