On January 11, 2023, astronomers “NASA” discovered “planet” A new exoplanet named TOI-700 e is similar in size toword Orbit in a habitable zone in a system of small rocky planets similar to our own solar system. With data from the TESS space telescope, this marks the second rocky planet discovered in the habitable zone of the TOI-700 planetary system.
The TOI-700 planetary system is a red dwarf star system with about 40% the mass of the Sun. In 2020, the TESS space telescope discovered three planets in the system: TOI-700 b, TOI-700 c and TOI-700 d. It has a radius of 1-2.6 times the radius of the Earth. One planet, TOI-700 d, orbits in a habitable zone where water may be found on its surface.
With additional data collected by the TESS space telescope in 2021, astronomers discovered one additional planet in the system, TOI-700 e, similar in size to Earth. TOI-700 d has a radius of about 95% of Earth’s radius and orbits in the habitable zone like planet TOI-700 d, with an orbital period of 28 days.
Although the newly discovered planet TOI-700 e lies in a habitable zone, it is still inhabitable. But due to its orbital period so close to the star, TOI-700 e may be tidally locked in the star, potentially causing a large difference in temperature on the illuminated and unilluminated side of the star. And besides, the planet TOI-700 e orbits in the so-called zone. The Optimistic habitable zone means that if there was water on planet TOI-700 e, it would only be a liquid during certain periods of the planet’s life. Unlike TOI-700 d, which orbits in a Continuous Habitable Zone, if there is water on TOI-700 d, it will always be liquid.
The discovery of the TOI-700 e planet confirms the TESS space telescope’s ability to find rare Earth-like planets. And because the TOI-700 planetary system contains many small planets similar to the solar system, This discovery will help astronomers better understand the formation of our solar system. In the future, astronomers will make additional observations in the TOI-700 planetary system to find more planets. and study the properties and atmospheres of planets in this system
For its part, NARIT researchers continue to study and search for planets outside the solar system. NARIT’s network of telescopes and space telescope databases are used. Currently, NARIT researchers have discovered 11 exoplanets and more are expected in the near future.
source https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-s-tess-discovers-planetary-system-s-second-earth-size-world
Arranged : Dr. Supachai Awiphan Researcher, Exoplanets and Astrobiology Research Group
