BREAKING: New potentially habitable exoplanet found around Teegarden

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In summary, astronomers have recently found a potential new home for humans in the form of an exoplanet called Teegarden b, orbiting Teegarden's Star 12 light-years away. This exoplanet has a similar mass to Earth and is situated within its star's habitable zone. It also has a 60% chance of having a temperate surface environment, with a surface temperature of approximately 28°C. Teegarden b currently holds the record for the highest Earth Similarity Index, indicating that it has similarities in mass and insolation to Earth. The manuscript with more details on this discovery is available for public access.
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alberto91
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Astronomers have discovered a potentially habitable exoplanet around Teegarden's Star.

Teegarden is an old red dwarf star 12 light-years away in the Aries constellation.

The exoplanet found, called Teegarden b, has a minimum mass almost identical to Earth.

It orbits within the star's habitable zone.

And it has a 60% chance of having a temperate surface environment.

Surface temperature should be closer to 28°C assuming a similar terrestrial atmosphere.

Teegarden b is the exoplanet with the highest Earth Similarity Index discovered so far: 95%.

This means that it has the closest mass and insolation to terrestrial values.

Source: www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNGXerXGnjo
 
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The manuscript is available here with open access.
 
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1. What is the significance of this discovery?

This discovery is significant because it adds to the growing list of exoplanets that could potentially support life. The exoplanet found around Teegarden is located within the habitable zone of its star, meaning it has the right conditions for liquid water to exist on its surface. This is a key factor in determining a planet's potential habitability.

2. How was this exoplanet discovered?

The exoplanet was discovered using the radial velocity method, which involves measuring the slight wobble of a star caused by the gravitational pull of an orbiting planet. This method is particularly effective for detecting smaller, Earth-like planets.

3. What is the size and composition of this exoplanet?

The exoplanet, named Teegarden b, is estimated to be around 1.1 times the size of Earth. Its exact composition is still unknown, but it is believed to be a rocky planet similar to Earth.

4. How far away is this exoplanet from Earth?

Teegarden b is located approximately 12.5 light years away from Earth, making it one of the closest exoplanets to our solar system. This relatively close distance will allow for further study and potential future exploration.

5. Could this exoplanet actually support life?

While Teegarden b is located within the habitable zone and has the potential for liquid water, there are still many unknown factors that would determine its ability to support life. Further research and observations will be needed to determine if this exoplanet could truly be habitable.

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