Astronomers Discover Planet Perfect for Searching for Extraterrestrial Life

The exoplanet Gliese 12 b may turn out to be a twin of Earth, but orbiting a red dwarf.

Australian and British astronomers, using specialized space telescopes TESS and CHEOPS, have discovered the intriguing exoplanet Gliese 12 b. It is located just 40 light-years away from us, making it one of the closest Earth-like objects. Particularly interesting is the fact that this planet lies within the habitable zone of its star.

At the center of the Gliese 12 system is a red dwarf, about a quarter the size of the Sun, with a surface temperature roughly half that of the Sun. However, Gliese 12 b is very close to its star. Its orbital period is 12.76 Earth days. Therefore, it receives 1.6 times more energy than Earth, but 15% less than Venus.

The authors of the study calculated that the average surface temperature of Gliese 12 b is expected to be 42 degrees Celsius. This makes the planet attractive for studying conditions suitable for supporting life as we know it. Its size is comparable to that of Earth. But much depends on the presence and density of the atmosphere.

Determining whether Gliese 12 b has an atmosphere will be aided by the "James Webb" telescope, which the authors of the research intend to use. It is known that red dwarfs, despite their relatively low temperature, tend to generate very powerful flares capable of sterilizing nearby planets and "blowing away" their atmospheres. However, astronomers note that Gliese 12 is an unusually calm red dwarf.

Information about the atmosphere will not only help understand the conditions on Gliese 12 b but may also provide insights into why Venus became a hellishly hot planet while Earth maintained normal conditions. Since the examined exoplanet represents a sort of intermediate link between Venus and Earth in terms of the energy received.

Additionally, studying Gliese 12 b will help better assess the prospects of habitable zones around other red dwarfs, which constitute the majority of stars in our galaxy.