Scientists have made a remarkable discovery. Astronomers discovered an Earth-like planet with no atmosphere, according to a new study published in The Astrophysical Letters.
The planet, which orbits a M dwarf star, one of the most common types of stars in our universe, may even aid astronomers in their search for extraterrestrial life.
GJ 1252b is the name of the exoplanet in question, which was discovered in 2020. Astronomers have been studying the potentially rocky Super Earth since its discovery to learn more about it.
They looked at infrared radiation on the planet after much of its light had been obscured by a secondary eclipse. What they discovered could help in the search for extraterrestrial life.
The radiation studied by the astronomers revealed that the planet’s daytime temperatures reach an estimated value of 2,242 degrees Fahrenheit (1,228 Celsius). Metals such as silver, copper, and gold would melt on the planet’s surface at these temperatures. They believe the planet has no atmosphere because of the heat. But how does this help us find extraterrestrial life?
According to Michelle Hill, a UC Riverside astrophysicist and one of the study’s authors, a planet orbiting a M dwarf star can have an atmosphere if it is far enough away from the star (via SciTechDaily).
Perhaps when the James Webb space telescope looks deeper into these planets, we’ll be able to learn more about how likely or unlikely it is that extraterrestrial life will be found on them.
For the time being, it appears that any extraterrestrial life that exists will be found on planets orbiting less intense types of stars. Even so, there are numerous other factors that could alter the chances of life surviving on those planets. After all, the planet’s first life may have turned it into the barren wasteland that it is today.
