In the vast universe, are there other planets that have the same conditions for life as the earth? If so, are they in **, what do they look like, is it possible to contact us? NASA has discovered a new super-Earth, 30% water, only 100 light-years away, almost ready for life, called TOI-1231 B.
Super-Earths are a class of planets larger than Earth, but smaller than Uranus, and they are usually between 2 and 10 times the mass of Earth and have a radius of 1 of EarthBetween 2x and 2x. Super-Earths are the most common type of planet known to date, but they have no analogues in the solar system. The formation and evolution of super-Earths is not well understood, but they may be a transit point for humanity to the stars in the future.
Ocean planets are planets whose surface is covered in large amounts of liquid water, and their water may make up a significant portion of their mass, even more than 50%. Ocean planets may have a rocky core or an ice crust in their interior, and their atmospheres may contain water vapor or other gases.
TOI-1231 B is a super-Earth, and its mass is 3 of that of Earth65 times, the radius is 1 of the Earth76 times, its orbital period is 24 days, 011 astronomical units, equivalent to one-tenth of the distance between the Earth and the Sun.
Its equilibrium temperature is equivalent to 57 degrees Celsius, which is more than double the equilibrium temperature of the Earth, which opens up infinite possibilities for the emergence of life.
Its star is one of a pair of red dwarfs called NLTT 24399, although it has a mass of only 0 of the Sun12 times, but the temperature can reach half that of the sun. Based on the size and temperature of TOI-1231 B, as well as the type of star it has, scientists speculate that it may be an oceanic planet with water that may make up 30% of its mass.
TOI-1231 B was discovered by a combination of NASA's Transentine Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) and observations from ground-based telescopes. TESS is a satellite that specializes in finding exoplanets, and it uses the transit method to detect the existence of planets, that is, when a planet passes in front of a star, it will block part of the star's light, causing periodic changes in the brightness of the star, which can be captured by TESS to infer the size and orbit of the traveling star.
Ground-based telescopes use the Doppler effect to detect the presence of planets, that is, when a planet moves around a star, it will have a weak gravitational pull on the star, causing periodic changes in the speed of the star, which can be measured by the spectrum of the star, so as to infer the mass and orbit of the star. By combining data from TESS and ground-based telescopes, scientists can more accurately determine the characteristics and parameters of the planet.
TOI-1231 b may not be a lone planet, it may also have a companion star, which is another planet orbiting the same star. The candidate for this companion star is TOI-1231 C, which is about the size of Earth and has an orbital period of 15 days, which is 008 astronomical units, equivalent to one-twelfth of the distance between the Earth and the Sun. Its equilibrium temperature is 400 Kelvin, which is equivalent to 127 degrees Celsius, which is higher than TOI-1231 B. The existence of TOI-1231 C has not yet been conclusively confirmed, but if it does, it will be the smallest habitable zone planet discovered by TESS.
Although we do not yet have enough data and methods to determine whether a planet has life or not, we can only speculate based on some indirect clues and hypotheses. However, TOI-1231 B's conditions are extremely suitable for the birth of life, although its temperature is higher than that of Earth, it is still within the possible range of life, and the presence of water also provides the necessary conditions for the formation of life.
Scientists hope to be able to conduct deeper probing and analysis of the atmosphere of TOI-1231 B to look for some indicators of life, such as oxygen, methane, ozone, etc., which may be products or needs of life, or may be the protective layer or catalyst of life.
The discovery of TOI-1231 B is the result of international cooperation, which involves scientists and institutions from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Chile, South Africa and other countries and regions, who used data from TESS satellites and multiple ground-based telescopes to carry out data processing, modeling, analysis, verification and other work, and finally determined the existence and characteristics of TOI-1231 B.
The research leader for this discovery is Jennifer Burt, a PhD student in astronomy at the University of California, San Diego, who is enthusiastic about the discovery and research of TOI-1231 B, saying, "TOI-1231 B is a very interesting planet.
It is our present
One of the coolest habitable zone planets that can be observed, it may have a thick atmosphere of water vapor, or it may be an ocean planet, which offers us a unique opportunity to explore a world completely different from Earth, and perhaps, it is able to tell us some secrets about life. ”
The discovery and research of TOI-1231 B has been published in the Journal of Astronomy, and this discovery is an important development for astronomers, which not only increases our knowledge and understanding of exoplanets, but also provides us with a new object and direction of study, and also shows us a new possibility and hope.
In scientists' depictions, TOI-1231 B is an oceanic planet whose surface may be covered by a deep layer of liquid water, which may make up 30% of its mass, which may have a rocky core inside, or an ice shell, and its star is a small red sun, and the red light makes the sky of the entire planet appear a red glow.
Are you looking forward to such a peculiar world?
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