- Astronomers have discovered a new Earth-sized exoplanet, Speculoos-3b, circling an ultracool red dwarf star.
About Speculoos-3b
- Speculoos-3b is a recently found Earth-sized exoplanet circling an ultracool dwarf star.
- It was found by a group of astronomers led by Michael Gillon of the University of Liege in Belgium.
- It is located around 55 light-years from Earth.
- Because of its short orbital period, Speculoos-3b receives about 10 times more energy per second from the Sun than Earth.
Astrophysical Significance of the Discovery
- The prevalence of ultracool dwarfs: Ultracool dwarf stars, such as the host of Speculoos-3b, account for around 70% of all stars in our galaxy and are noted for their extended life, lasting up to 100 billion years.
- Importance of Life’s Potential: These stars’ long lifespans create a stable environment that may permit the formation of life on orbiting planets.
Source: https://www.euronews.com/next/2024/05/20/speculoos-3-b-astronomers-find-new-earth-sized-exoplanet-about-55-light-years-away