Astronomers Identify Earth-Sized Planets in TRAPPIST-1 Systemโ with Potential for Habitability
WASHINGTON – A โขteam ofโ astronomersโ hasโ revealed newโข insightsโฃ into the TRAPPIST-1 system, โa collection of seven rocky planetsโข orbiting a small star approximately 40 light-yearsโ from earth, with three planets residing within the star’s habitable zone – the region where liquid waterโ could exist.The findings, detailedโ in a โstudyโฃ published Wednesday (September 17,โ 2025) in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, suggest these planets,โค similar โฃin size โto Earth, represent a compelling target in the searchโ for life โคbeyond ourโฃ solar system.
The TRAPPIST-1 system, discovered nineโ years ago, presents a unique chance for scientists studying planetary habitability.Unlike our sun, TRAPPIST-1 is an ultra-cool dwarfโฃ star, considerably smaller โand dimmer. This proximity โallows for shorter orbital periods – planets circle their star every six days – and makes atmospheric analysis more โfeasible. โthe potential for liquidโฃ water, a key โคingredient forโ life asโ we know it, hinges on whether theseโฃ planets possess atmospheres โcapable โขof maintaining suitable temperatures.
“TRAPPIST-1 is a truly foreignโฃ system,” explained Nestor Espinoza, highlighting the system’s distinct characteristics.โฃ The star itself is roughly the sizeโฃ of Jupiter, and its planets orbit much โคcloser than earth orbits the sun. โฃEspinoza and โhis colleagues โขareโ currentlyโ focusing their research on Trappist-1 E, โคthe fourth โplanetโ from the star.
According to Espinoza,the habitable zone placement โof three planets means โฃthey are “quite close โto the star so thatโค if this planet โhas an atmosphere,it can support liquid water.” Though,the exact composition of these atmospheres remains unknown.
Assistant Professor of spaceโข atโค the Florida Institute of Technology, Howard Chen, โemphasized the precarious balance โฃof conditions onโ these planets. โComputer simulations reveal that trappist-1 planets exist at a “critical point,” perhaps evolving into either arid,desert worlds or water-rich environments.
“That means the scenario of ‘barren rocks’ and ‘weighing’ still makes physically reasonable,” Chen stated, indicating that the planets’ ultimate fate – and habitability – is still uncertain.โ โขFurther research willโข be crucial to determine โคwhetherโฃ these Earth-sized โฃworlds can indeed support life.