Hexbyte Glen Cove
This article has been reviewed according to Science X’s
editorial process
and policies.
Editors have highlighted
the following attributes while ensuring the content’s credibility:
fact-checked
peer-reviewed publication
trusted source
proofread
by Duncan Sandes, University of Exeter
The researchers highlight the importance of this discovery, noting that this orange star is somewhat similar to our sun and represents the closest planetary system to host a Super-Earth in the habitable zone around a sun-like star.
The study detailing these findings was published in the journal MNRAS on June 24, 2024.
These potential Super-Earths, planets with a mass greater than Earth but significantly less than the solar system’s ice giants Uranus and Neptune, were identified through the HARPS-N Rocky Planet Search program. Over a decade, the team collected nearly 190 high-precision radial velocity measurements using the HARPS-N spectrograph.
Radial velocity measurements, which track the star’s subtle movements caused by orbiting planets, are crucial in such discoveries. By analyzing the spectrum of light from the star, researchers can determine whether it is moving towards us (blueshift) or away from us (redshift). To ensure the accuracy of their findings, the team employed various methodologies and comparative analyses.
The research revealed three planetary candidates with minimum masses ranging from 5- to 11-times that of Earth. The team suggests that the proximity of the star, combined with the outermost planet’s favorable orbit, makes this system a promising target for future high-contrast direct imaging and high-resolution spectroscopic studies.
Dr. Dalal added, “This discovery highlights the importance of long-term monitoring and advanced techniques in uncovering the secrets of distant star systems. We are eager to continue our observations and look for additional planets in the system.”
This discovery opens new doors for understanding planetary systems and the potential for life beyond our solar system.