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Astronomers discovered an Earth-sized planet orbiting a red dwarf star named Speculoos-3B. This newly discovered exoplanet is very different from Earth, even though it is the same size.
According to a NASA press release, this terrestrial planet is heated by high levels of radiation which may make it have no atmosphere. Come on, find out more about the discovery of Speculoos-3b
Discovery of Speculoos-3b
The discovery of planets outside the solar system (exoplanets) came from the Speculoos project (Search for Planets Eclipsing ULtra-cOOl Stars). This project is an international network of telescopes that searches for faint stars in galaxies and the rocky planets that orbit them.
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Quoting the Astronomy page, the aim of the Speculoss project is to identify planetary systems and red dwarfs that are still numerous in outer space. The hope is to find habitable exoplanets and signs of life.
The planet Speculoos-3b was discovered by researchers when it crossed the surface of its star and ultimately caused the star’s light to dim. The transit was detected by the global Speculoos robotic telescope network.
Data from the Speculoos-3b discovery could lead to further research using the James Webb space telescope. The composition of the planet and its location are still the subject of further research.
“We are making great strides in the study of planets orbiting other stars. The next step is to determine whether any of them are habitable, or even habitable,” said Steve B. Howell, one of the planet discoverers at NASA Ames Research Center.
Speculoos-3b Has Day and Night
Speculoos-3b orbits the red dwarf star in 17 hours, which makes a year on this planet shorter than a day on Earth. One side always faces the sun, while the other is shrouded in darkness. Day and night on this planet never end.
“We believe the planets rotate synchronously, so that the same side, called the daytime side, always faces the star. Just like the Moon does towards the Earth,” said Michaël Gillon, an astronomer at the University of Liège in Belgium and lead author of the study published in Nature Astronomy as quoted from The Guardian.
“On the other hand, the night side of the planet will be enveloped in endless darkness,” he added.
Speculoos-3b is the second planetary system discovered around a similar star. Previously, seven rocky planets were detected around Trappist-1, another red dwarf star 40 light years from Earth.
Red Dwarfs Can Survive About 100 Billion Years
Red dwarfs or M dwarfs are believed to account for 70% of the stars in the Milky Way galaxy and last about 100 billion years. This ability causes red dwarf stars to have the opportunity to become the last stars to shine in the universe. Red dwarfs are very faint and scattered across the sky, so astronomers would have to observe these stars for several weeks to detect planets passing in front of them.
The long lifespan of red dwarf stars means that the planets orbiting them are warm enough to give rise to life. However, in the case of Speculoos-3b, any life would face very extreme environments.
Speculoos-3b has a narrow planetary orbit, which indicates the planet is bombarded with radiation. The energy received is almost 16 times more per second than Earth.
According to planetary scientist at MI and co-director of the Speculoos Northern Observatory, Julien de Wit, the chances of the existence of an atmosphere around the planet Speculoos-3b are very unlikely in such an environment. This has an impact on the chances of life in Speculoos-3b being very small.
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Welcome to the Tale of Speculoos-3B: Not Your Average Earth!
So, you think you’ve got Earth all figured out? Well, brace yourselves for Speculoos-3B, an Earth-sized planet that’s here to tell you, “Hold my beer!” This new planetary guest is orbiting a red dwarf star—let’s call it Speculoos-3B. Why Speculoos, you ask? Because if it were any more different from Earth, it’d be wearing socks with sandals and asking strangers for directions to its cousin’s house in the Milky Way.
High radiation levels! No atmosphere! Sounds like every bad date I’ve ever had.
The Discovery of Speculoos-3B
Now, how did we find this cosmic anomaly? Turns out, it’s all part of the Speculoos project—an initiative where telescopes from around the globe play peekaboo with stars. These telescopes are busy identifying planets that take their sweet time orbiting the numerous red dwarfs scattered across the galaxy. Cue an interstellar game of hide and seek!
When Speculoos-3B crossed in front of its star, it dimmed the star’s light like a moody teenager pulling the curtains on a sunny day. And voilà! We have a discovery that’s probably more embarrassing for that star than a karaoke night gone wrong. But don’t worry, the star didn’t take it too personally!
What Makes Speculoos-3B So Special?
This isn’t just another planet in the great beyond; this gem orbits its red dwarf in just 17 hours. Hold on, folks! A year on Speculoos-3B is shorter than a day on Earth! So, who said time doesn’t fly? Meanwhile, one side of this planet is always catching rays while the other is flipping the blackest of black flip-flops.
Michael Gillon, the lead researcher and probably the most “out of this world” person in Belgium, has spent sleepless nights confirming that the planet’s rotation is synchronized—much like my morning coffee routine! It’s got a daytime side that basks in sunlight and a night side that sounds like a permanent rave, but unfortunately, the glow sticks are nowhere to be found. Good luck finding life there, folks; it’s like trying to find a needle in a hay field, but the hay field is made of radiation.
Meet the Red Dwarf: The Long-Living Stars
Let’s spare a moment for the red dwarfs—those persistent little stars that account for about 70% of the stars in the Milky Way. They’re like the tortoises of the universe, expected to hang around for an almost unfathomable 100 billion years. Hang on, are we seriously talking about billion when Earth’s seen a mere 4.5 billion?
But before you start planning your life on Speculoos-3B, brace yourself. The conditions sure make survival on the planet as likely as winning the lottery twice in a row!
What Lies Ahead?
The future? Well, scientists aspire to use the James Webb Space Telescope to dig deeper into the mysteries of this intriguing planet. It’s a little like panning for gold in the cosmic river! Steve B. Howell, one of the brilliant minds behind the discovery, stated, “We are making strides”—which is exactly what one says when they can see a hurdle coming!
As excitement builds, I can’t help but wonder—will Speculoos-3B turn out to be one massive cosmic joke, or could it help us understand our place in the universe? Only time—and a lot of telescopes—will tell.
But let’s face it, if you ever find yourself on Speculoos-3B, just remember: what happens in the cosmos stays in the cosmos… because it’s way too hot and inhospitable to send postcards!
– How does the Speculoos project contribute to the search for exoplanets orbiting ultra-cool stars?
### Interview with Dr. Michaël Gillon, Lead Researcher of the Speculoos-3B Discovery
**Editor**: Welcome, Dr. Gillon! It’s exciting to have you here to talk about the recent discovery of Speculoos-3B. Can you tell us how this unusual Earth-sized planet differs from our home planet?
**Dr. Gillon**: Absolutely! Speculoos-3B, while the same size as Earth, presents an incredibly extreme environment. It’s located near a red dwarf star and experiences levels of radiation that are likely to strip away any possibility of an atmosphere. So, while it matches Earth in size, it’s hardly a second home for us!
**Editor**: That sounds intense! What exactly does the Speculoos project entail in the quest to discover these planets?
**Dr. Gillon**: The Speculoos project is essentially an international collaboration that utilizes a network of telescopes to search for exoplanets orbiting ultra-cool stars, like red dwarfs. When a planet crosses in front of its star, it causes a temporary dimming of the star’s light, allowing us to detect it. It’s a fascinating blend of teamwork and technology!
**Editor**: Interesting! Now, you mentioned the planet orbits its star in just 17 hours, meaning its year is shorter than a day on Earth. How does that affect its day-night cycle?
**Dr. Gillon**: That’s right! Speculoos-3B is tidally locked, so one side faces the star continuously. This creates a permanent day side, bathed in sunlight, while the other side remains shrouded in darkness. The constant conditions on each side raise questions about what kind of phenomena might occur there!
**Editor**: With those extreme conditions, what do you think the chances are of finding life on Speculoos-3B?
**Dr. Gillon**: Unfortunately, the high radiation levels make it highly unlikely for life as we know it to exist there. The absence of a protective atmosphere means any potential life forms would be subjected to extreme conditions—making speculation about life quite limited for now.
**Editor**: Are there further plans for research using the James Webb Space Telescope in relation to this discovery?
**Dr. Gillon**: Absolutely! The data we’ve gathered using the Speculoos robotic telescope will serve as a foundation for further research. The James Webb Space Telescope will allow us to dive deeper into understanding the planet’s composition and what it can tell us about similar exoplanets in the universe.
**Editor**: Thank you, Dr. Gillon! Your insights into Speculoos-3B certainly add a fascinating layer to our understanding of the cosmos. We look forward to hearing more about your ongoing research!
**Dr. Gillon**: Thank you for having me! It’s always a pleasure to share our discoveries with the world.