Astronomers have discovered four smaller-than-Earth exoplanets orbiting Barnard’s Star, the closest single-star system to Earth. The star, a small red dwarf just six light-years away, has been found to have these tiny and rocky worlds in its vicinity.
According to researchers, including University of Chicago PhD student Ritvik Basant, who led the discovery, the exoplanets were detected using the MAROON-X instrument at the Gemini North telescope. This innovative equipment can identify small planets orbiting red dwarf stars by detecting subtle changes in the star’s motion caused by gravitational pull.
The four discovered exoplanets range from 20 to 30 percent of Earth’s mass and complete a full revolution around their star in just a few days. The team used data from a 2024 study at the European Southern Observatory to confirm one of the exoplanets’ existence, adding credibility to the findings.
Notably, the planets are unlikely to support life due to their proximity to Barnard’s Star and lack of liquid water, essential for life as we know it. However, ongoing improvements in detection methods hold promise for spotting habitable worlds in similar single-star systems.
The discovery sheds new light on planetary formation and evolution, encouraging further research into these enigmatic celestial bodies.
Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/scientists-discover-four-intriguing-planets-160125555.html