Recently Discovered Earth-Sized Exoplanet Might Be Filled With Volcanoes
Astronomers have discovered an Earth-sized exoplanet that is likely covered with volcanoes. The Planet, called LP 791-18 d, is located about 90 light-years away in the constellation Crater. Crater is in the same galaxy as we are, the Milky Way. It is slightly larger than Earth and orbits a dim Red Dwarf Star. It is first described in Tuesday's edition of Nature.
The researchers who discovered LP 791-18 d believe that the planet is volcanically active because of its interactions with another planet in its system, LP 791-18 c. LP 791-18 c is about 2.5 times larger and 7 times more massive than Earth. It is believed to be a gas giant, similar to Neptune or Uranus.
The gravitational pull of LP 791-18 c is thought to distort the orbit of LP 791-18 d. This distortion causes the planet to bulge out slightly at its equator. The friction caused by this bulge is thought to be generating heat inside the planet, which could be causing the volcanoes to erupt.
The discovery of LP 791-18 d is significant because it is the first time that an Earth-sized exoplanet has been found that is likely to be volcanically active. There are many moons that have volcanoes, and this is the difference. Calculations from another telescope (retired) suggest the exoplanet is slightly larger than Earth.
The moons of Saturn some of which are thought to contain water are frozen oceans of methane and too cold to support life as we know it.
This discovery could help astronomers to better understand the formation and evolution of planets. It could also help them to search for other planets that could support life.
In addition to being volcanically active, LP 791-18 d is also thought to be tidally locked to its star. This means that the same side of the planet always faces the star. The side of the planet that faces the star is likely to be very hot, while the side that faces away from the star is likely to be very cold.
The discovery of LP 791-18 d is a reminder of just how diverse and interesting the universe is. It is also a reminder of how much we still have to learn about the planets that orbit other stars.
What does this discovery mean for the search for life beyond Earth?
The discovery of LP 791-18 d is a significant step forward in the search for life beyond Earth. The planet is Earth-sized and volcanically active, both of which are factors that are thought to be essential for the development of life. The study of these environments increasingly demonstrates how consistent cosmology is throughout the reaches of what we've experienced.
However, it is important to note that LP 791-18 d is located in a very different part of the galaxy than Earth. It orbits a Dim Red Dwarf star, which is much cooler and smaller than our Sun. This means that the planet is likely to be much colder and less hospitable to life than Earth.
Despite these challenges, the discovery of LP 791-18 d is a major milestone in the search for life beyond Earth. It shows that Earth-sized planets that are volcanically active do exist in other solar systems. This gives us hope that we will eventually find another world that is home to life. It will be interesting to see how scanning the skies for celestial objects of curiosity will change with AI.
The world's most successful supernova finder watches the skies and has found more supernovas in the sky than anyone. The odds of finding even one are extremely low. It will be interesting to see if multimodal AI like what's been released by Meta, or other players in the AI space will be able to accelerate the process of finding these extraordinary celestial objects with the new tools.
Key Takeaways
- Astronomers have discovered a distant exoplanet called LP 791-18 d that may be covered in volcanoes.
- The exoplanet is Earth-sized and could potentially have liquid water on its surface, making it a candidate for supporting life.
- LP 791-18 d is located approximately 90 light-years away from Earth in the Crater constellation of the Milky Way galaxy.
- It orbits a dim red dwarf star along with two other planets named LP 791-18 b and c.
- The exoplanet is considered a likely candidate for volcanic activity due to the gravitational influence of its more massive neighbor, LP 791-18 c.
- Scientists used telescopes and observatories, including the Spitzer Space Telescope and the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), to study LP 791-18 d.
- LP 791-18 d is tidally locked to its star, resulting in one side being extremely hot and the other potentially cooler with the presence of water.
- The meeting points between the dark and light sides of the planet could have melting ice and liquid water, similar to Iceland.
- The presence of volcanic or tectonic activity is important for supporting life on planets, as it stirs up essential elements and can create an atmosphere.
- LP 791-18 d is located in the habitable zone around its star, where conditions are favorable for liquid water to exist on a planet's surface.
- Astronomers plan to study LP 791-18 c, the neighboring planet, using the James Webb Space Telescope and hope to gain further insights into LP 791-18 d.
The post Earth-Sized Exoplanet Covered with Volcanoes Discovered first appeared on Gadget Enclave.
