Scientists at the University of Warwick have announced their involvement in an international team’s discovery of a new habitable Earth-sized planet.
Working alongside NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA), they revealed that Gliese 12 b boasts a surface temperature akin to the 2022 UK heatwave and is among the rare rocky planets where human survival is theoretically possible.
Despite its habitable conditions, the planet’s distance of 40 light-years renders it too far away for closer examination, according to the university.
Dr. Thomas Wilson, a Warwick astrophysicist, expressed excitement about the discovery, emphasizing its significance in furthering research into Earth-like planets within our galaxy.
Gliese 12 b maintains an estimated surface temperature of approximately 42°C, with scientists remaining uncertain about its atmospheric composition.
Orbiting its sun-like counterpart every 12.8 days, the planet shares a similar size to Earth.
Gliese 12 b’s star, Gliese 12, is a cool, red dwarf situated in the Pisces constellation. The planet receives 1.6 times more energy from its star compared to Earth’s solar intake.
Data from NASA and ESA’s satellites were instrumental in confirming the planet’s existence, size, temperature, and distance from Earth.
Describing the discovery as thrilling, Dr. Wilson highlighted the significance of studying planets like Gliese 12 b, which offer invaluable insights into atmospheric and temperature conditions.
Co-lead of the study, Larissa Palethorpe, noted the planet’s uniqueness as a candidate for atmospheric analysis, providing potential insights into the evolution of our solar system.
Gliese 12 b presents an opportunity to unravel the pathways of planetary habitability, offering valuable lessons about the development of celestial bodies.
Source: BBC
