NASA discovered two new rocky planets near our Solar System


The Pot has reported that through the use of the orbiting planet hunter, the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), scientists have discovered sister planets in the Earth-size range that are prime candidates for atmospheric research. They also pointed out that the discovery has come at an ideal time, since the great James Webb Space Telescope will soon publish its first scientific images.

How many planets have they found?

As indicated by the mission NASA TESS They have found two rocky planets orbiting the relatively bright red dwarf star HD 260655, just 33 light-years away. new planets, HD 260655 by HD 260655 c, are among the closest known rocky planets found outside our solar system that astronomers can observe.

Artist’s impression of a super-Earth detected in orbit around L 98-59. Image: IT

What kind of planets are they?

The planets found are of type “super-Earths”that is, rocky planets like ours, but bigger. The planet b It is about 1.2 times larger than Earth. planet c 1.5 times. In this case, however, neither planet is likely to support life. The temperature on planet b, the closest to the star, is estimated at 435 Celsius and on planet c at 284 Celsius, although the actual temperature depends on the presence and nature of possible atmospheres.

What are super earths?

The super earths They are planets similar to Land, but much larger and more massive. Astronomers have discovered that this class of planets may be the most common in our galaxy. Likewise, astronomers define that they are extrasolar rocky planets with an average size between gas giants with a mass similar to that of Uranus Y Neptune.

Illustration of the red dwarf GJ 740, a star that attracts a super-Earth with it. Photo: Gabriel Pérez Díaz, SMM (IAC)

Source-elpopular.pe