Earth-sized exoplanet discovered in what astronomers call our "solar backyard
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Language: en
Added: Oct 20, 2024
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solar backyard TIC 241249530
solar backyard One of the most significant recent discoveries related to our planet involves an Earth-sized exoplanet discovered in what astronomers call our "solar backyard." This planet, named TIC 241249530 b, was found in the Ursa Major Moving Group, located about 400 million light-years away from Earth. What makes this discovery particularly exciting is its close size resemblance to Earth, orbiting a star similar to our Sun, and being relatively young at just 400 million years old. This gives scientists an opportunity to study the early stages of planetary formation and development in an Earth-like environment.
Another important recent discovery revolves around the exoplanet K2-18 b, which has been the subject of extensive investigation with NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. This planet, about 8.6 times the mass of Earth, orbits a cool dwarf star in the habitable zone, meaning it could potentially support life. The detection of methane and carbon dioxide in its atmosphere suggests the possibility of a water ocean beneath its hydrogen-rich atmosphere, which adds intrigue to the hypothesis that K2-18 b could harbor life. These findings are pushing forward our understanding of planetary atmospheres and their potential for habitability in distant solar systems.
Both of these discoveries highlight how advancements in technology, especially the capabilities of telescopes like James Webb, are dramatically enhancing our understanding of not only Earth-like planets beyond our solar system but also the conditions under which life could exist.
This expanding knowledge offers valuable insights into our planet's place in the universe and the possibilities of life elsewhere