The Search for the Perfect Solar Twin: HD 98618

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No perfect solar twin has been identified despite extensive research, with 18 Sco previously noted as nearly a solar twin. Recent analysis using high-resolution Keck HIRES spectra identifies HD 98618 as the second closest solar twin, with parameters closely matching those of the Sun. Both stars are considered likely candidates for hosting terrestrial planets in their habitable zones. HD 98618 is located 38.7 parsecs away, while 18 Sco is 14 parsecs distant. These findings highlight the importance of prioritizing these stars in future exoplanet and SETI surveys.
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http://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0603219

Authors: Jorge Melendez (1,2), Katie Dodds-Eden (1), Jose A. Robles (1) (1) RSAA/Mt Stromlo Observatory (Australia), (2) Caltech (USA), UNMSM (Peru)
Comments: ApJ letters, in press

Despite the observational effort carried out in the last few decades, no perfect solar twin has been found to date. An important milestone was achieved a decade ago by Porto de Mello & da Silva, who showed that 18 Sco is almost a solar twin. In the present work, we use extremely high resolution (R = 10^5) high S/N Keck HIRES spectra to carry out a differential analysis of sixteen solar twin candidates. We show that HD 98618 is the second closest solar twin, and that the fundamental parameters of both HD 98618 and 18 Sco are very similar (within a few percent) to the host star of our solar system, including the likelihood of hosting a terrestrial planet within their habitable zone. We suggest that these stars should be given top priority in exoplanet and SETI surveys.
 
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How far away are these 'Suns'?

Garth
 
Garth said:
How far away are these 'Suns'?

There's a table in the paper. 18 Sco is 14 pc away and HD 98618 is 38.7 pc away (as measured by Hipparcos).
 
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