NASA has identified an Earth-size exoplanet, Gliese 12 b, located just 40 light-years away, orbiting a red dwarf star. This potentially habitable planet could be a prime candidate for the search for alien life, according to scientists. The discovery was made using NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), and the planet’s proximity and moderate warmth make it an intriguing target.
Gliese 12 b, about 1.1 times the size of Earth, orbits its star Gliese 12 every 12.8 Earth days. Despite this close orbit, the red dwarf is significantly cooler than our sun, placing Gliese 12 b within the star’s habitable zone, where conditions could allow for liquid water. This “Goldilocks Zone” is essential for the possibility of life.
The exact nature of Gliese 12 b’s atmosphere is still unknown, but early indications suggest it might be thin, which could favor habitability. Unlike planets with thick hydrogen atmospheres, which are generally inhospitable, a thin atmosphere could support life. The exoplanet receives about 85% of the radiation that Venus gets from the sun but has a cooler surface temperature of 107°F (42°C).
Studying Gliese 12 b can provide insights into planetary development and habitability, especially since it lies between Earth and Venus in terms of conditions. Researchers are keen to investigate further using methods like radial velocity to determine the planet’s mass and potentially the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to analyze its atmosphere through transmission spectroscopy.
Red dwarfs, like Gliese 12, are the most common type of star in the Milky Way, making their planetary systems vital for understanding potential life-supporting environments. Although these stars can emit powerful flares that might strip a planet’s atmosphere, Gliese 12 appears relatively calm, which is promising for Gliese 12 b’s atmospheric retention.
The discovery of Gliese 12 b is an exciting development in the search for extraterrestrial life, offering a nearby and accessible target for further research. This finding, published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society and The Astrophysical Journal Letters, marks a significant step in understanding potentially habitable exoplanets.
