All you need to know about the Earth-sized planet discovered by scientists | - Times of India

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In a significant stride towards understanding the cosmos, scientists have unveiled the discovery of an

Earth-sized planet

,

SPECULOOS-3b

, orbiting an

ultracool red dwarf star

. This discovery was made by an international team from the

SPECULOOS project

, which stands for Search for Planets Eclipsing ULtra-cOOl Stars. The planet, which is 55 light-years away from Earth, was identified using a network of telescopes dedicated to exploring the universe for such celestial bodies.

SPECULOOS-3b shares its size with Earth but differs vastly in its environmental conditions.

It orbits its star in a mere 17 hours, a stark contrast to Earth's 365-day orbit. The planet is likely tidally locked, meaning one side perpetually faces the star, basking in continuous daylight, while the other side remains in eternal darkness. This unique aspect raises questions about the potential for life and the planet's atmospheric conditions.

The host star of SPECULOOS-3b is an ultracool red dwarf, significantly cooler and dimmer than our Sun. With a temperature of approximately 4,760 degrees Fahrenheit (2,627 degrees Celsius), it is several thousand degrees cooler than the Sun. Despite its cooler nature, the star emits high levels of radiation, which could affect the possibility of an atmosphere existing on SPECULOOS-3b.

The discovery of SPECULOOS-3b represents a leap forward in the search for

extraterrestrial life

. The SPECULOOS project aims to find habitable exoplanets and signs of life by focusing on ultra-cool dwarf stars. These stars are abundant in our galaxy, yet their planetary systems remain largely unexplored due to their faintness.

The data gathered on SPECULOOS-3b could pave the way for further research with advanced telescopes like the James Webb Space Telescope. Understanding the composition and location of this exoplanet is crucial for future studies. Scientists are optimistic that this discovery will lead to more detailed observations and a better grasp of the conditions on planets orbiting

red dwarf stars

.

The discovery of SPECULOOS-3b was announced on May 15, 2024, and has since generated excitement in the scientific community. The planet's proximity to Earth and its comparable size make it an ideal candidate for further investigation. The research team, led by

Michael Gillon

at the University of Liège, Belgium, has published their findings in

Nature Astronomy

, marking a significant milestone in the field of exoplanet research.

As the search for life beyond our solar system continues, SPECULOOS-3b is a celebration of human curiosity and the relentless pursuit of knowledge. With each discovery, we inch closer to answering the age-old question: Are we truly the only inhabitants of the universe? The study of SPECULOOS-3b and similar exoplanets may one day provide the answer. For now, the discovery serves as a beacon of possibility in the vast expanse of space.

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