A new study has revealed the presence of a potentially habitable exoplanet, approximately similar in size to Earth, within a system located 40 light-years away.
This exoplanet, named Gliese 12 b, orbits a star about 27% the size of the sun in a period of 12.8 days. While its atmospheric composition remains unknown, researchers estimate its surface temperature to be around 107 degrees Fahrenheit (42 degrees Celsius), suggesting the possibility of liquid water, a crucial element for life as we understand it.
The study, published in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, underscores the significance of further examination, particularly with instruments like NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. This advanced telescope aims to analyze exoplanet atmospheres, providing insights into their habitability and potential similarities to Earth or Venus.
Understanding Gliese 12 b’s atmosphere could provide valuable insights into the evolution of exoplanets and shed light on the factors influencing their habitability. The discovery, made possible by NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), highlights the ongoing efforts to explore distant worlds and unravel the mysteries of our universe.