Artist’s conception of the newly discovered planet Gliese 12 b
The newly discovered exoplanet Gliese 12b represents an achievement in the search for Earth-like planets.
With an average surface temperature of around 42 degrees Celsius (107°F), it attracts attention for its Earth-like characteristics.
About the size of Venus but slightly smaller than Earth, Gliese 12b’s discovery, according to Dr. Thomas Wilson of the University of Warwick, helps in the search for Earth-like planets.
“It’s exciting that this planet is the closest in size and temperature to Earth that we currently know,” he said.
Gliese 12, a nearby bright star, is intriguing because it’s metal-poor. This is significant because research indicates that stars with fewer heavy elements are more favorable for life development.
Compared to stars for example with lower metal content. Gliese 12 b, was discovered orbiting Gliese 12. As they explained in the study Gliese 12 b is the nearest transiting temperate, Earth-sized planet found to date. Gliese 12b has an orbital period of 12.8 days. Also, it is almost 40 light-years away from Earth.
“The light we are seeing now is from 1984 (40 years ago). That’s how long it has taken to reach us here on Earth,” said Wilson.
“Gliese 12 b represents one of the best targets to study whether Earth-size planets orbiting cool stars can retain their atmospheres,” said Shishir Dholakia from Centre for Astrophysics at the University of Southern Queensland in Australia.
As explained that is a crucial step to advance understanding of habitability on planets across the galaxy. When it comes to the amount of light it receives, it is between the amount of light Earth and Venus get from the sun.
“The Earth is habitable, but Venus is not due to its complete loss of water. Because Gliese 12 b is between Earth and Venus in temperature. Its atmosphere could teach us a lot about the habitability pathways planets take as they develop,” explained Larissa Palethorpe, who co-led the research with Dholakia.
As stated since the 1990s, more than 5,500 planets orbiting around stars other than the Sun have been discovered. But according to the study, Gliese 12 b is among the most amenable temperate, terrestrial planets for atmospheric spectroscopy discovered to date.
Gliese 12b is discovered thanks to NASA’s TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) and other sources of data. The study is the result of cooperation between two international teams of scientists. Including also experts from the University of Birmingham.
As concluded Gliese 12 b is therefore a prime target for future detailed characterization studies. Its prospects for a precise mass measurement are reasonable and the star has some of the lowest activity levels amongst known M-dwarfs.
Additionally, it stands out as an exceptional candidate for studying both its atmosphere and stellar properties. Further analysis will provide insights into evolutionary patterns and composition trends. That is important because they try to infer the number of true-Earth analogs and understand our place in the universe.
“To better understand the diversity of atmospheres and evolutionary outcomes for these planets, we need more examples like Gliese 12 b,” stated Michael McElwain, co-author of the study.
The findings of the research were published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
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Maria Bolevich Maria Bolevich graduated from Medical High School and Faculty of Metallurgy and Technology, Department of Environmental protection. She is an environmental protection engineer, and she wrote her first scientific article as a student in 2009 which triggered her passion for science journalism. As a science, health, and environmental journalist she has been collaborating with many international media, including Nature, SciDev… She is a recipient of a number of noteworthy awards in her field of expertise.
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