Astronomers have obtained new data about the exoplanet called GJ 3378b, which orbits a red dwarf star called GJ 3378. Recent sensitive observations have revealed that this planet has a much more Earth-like structure than first estimated.
Considering that the Milky Way Galaxy is approximately 100 thousand light years wide, this new world, 25 light years away, is described by astronomers as a cosmic next door neighbor.
The planet is classified as a “super-Earth” because it is larger than Earth but small enough to have a rocky structure rather than thick layers of gas.
According to the research of the team led by astronomer Paul Robertson from the University of California, GJ 3378b is nominated to be one of the clearest Earth-like exoplanets discovered to date in the near vicinity of our solar system.
AT THE RIGHT CENTER OF THE LIVABLE ZONE
The first criterion scientists look at when searching for life in the universe is the planet’s distance from its star, that is, whether it is within the “habitable zone”.
If a planet is too close to its star, water evaporates; if it is too far away, it freezes. Recent orbital analyzes on GJ 3378b showed that the planet completed its orbit around its star in 21.4 days and is located exactly in this safe zone.
Since the red dwarf star around which the planet revolves is much cooler and fainter than our Sun, the habitable zone is established at a much closer distance to the star.
Experts state that the amount of radiation this super-Earth receives from its star corresponds to 90 percent of the amount the Earth receives from the Sun, creating an ideal balance for life.
MASS ESTIMATE HAS DECREASED, THE POSSIBILITY OF ROCKY BUILDINGS INCREASED
The most exciting development about the planet occurred in mass calculations. The mass, which was estimated to be 5.3 times the size of the Earth in the first observations, was revised to 2.3 times thanks to precise measurements made with advanced technological tools.
In astronomy, 5 times the mass of the Earth and above constitute the limit for planets to turn into gas giants, more like Neptune. Reducing the mass to 2.3 made it almost certain that the planet was not composed of gas clouds and would have a rocky surface that could be walked on, just like the Earth.
THE ATMOSPHERE PRIZE IS WAITING TO BE SOLVED
These data do not necessarily mean that the planet is habitable. In order for a planet to hold liquid water on its surface, it needs an atmosphere to protect it as well as gravity.
It is not yet known whether GJ 3378b has an atmosphere. The dwarf stars that the planet orbits can destroy the atmospheres of nearby planets over time, as they are much more mobile than the Sun and frequently produce powerful explosions.
Nevertheless, the latest findings have made this new world one of the top priorities for life research to be conducted with telescopes in the future.
