Why in discussion?
Recently, the James Webb Space Telescope of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has discovered a new exoplanet named LHS 475b.
■ Given the increased capabilities of the Webb Telescope, there is hope that more Earth-sized planets may be discovered in the future.
LHS 475b:
■ Conclusion:
• It is roughly the size of Earth, its diameter being 99% the same as Earth's.
• It is a celestial, rocky planet located about 41 light years from Earth in the constellation Octan.
• It differs from the Earth in two respects, firstly, it completes one revolution in only two days and secondly, it is hundreds of degrees hotter than the Earth.
• It is closer to its star than any other planet in our solar system.
• It orbits very close to a red dwarf star and completes a complete orbit in just two days.
• Most of the exoplanets discovered so far are similar to Jupiter because Earth-sized planets are very small and difficult to detect even with older telescopes.
The observational results of this Earth-sized rocky planet pave the way for many future possibilities for studying the atmospheres of such planets.
• The temperature of the red dwarf star is half that of the Sun, so researchers are hoping that it may also have an atmosphere.
Exoplanet:
■ Introduction:
Exoplanets are planets that orbit other stars and are far from our solar system. The first confirmed detection of an exoplanet was in the year 1992.
• According to NASA, more than 5,000 exoplanets have been discovered so far.
• Scientists believe that there are more planets than stars because at least one planet orbits every star.
• Exoplanets come in different sizes. They can be large and gaseous like Jupiter or small and rocky like Earth. There is also variation in their temperatures which can range from extremely hot (Boiling Hot) to extremely cold (Freezing Cold).
■ Search:
• Exoplanets are very difficult to see directly with telescopes. They are hidden in the bright glow of the stars they orbit.
• Therefore, astronomers use other methods to detect and study exoplanets, such as observing the effects of these planets on the stars they orbit.
• Scientists rely on indirect methods such as the transit method which measures the dimming of a star as a planet passes in front of it.
• Other exploration methods include gravitational microlensing – light from a distant star is refracted and focused by gravity as a planet passes between the star and Earth. This method could conceivably use our Sun for exoplanet exploration.
■ Importance:
● The study of exoplanets not only broadens our understanding of other solar systems, but also helps us understand our planetary system and their origins.
• However, the most powerful reason to learn about them is to answer one of mankind's most profound and thought-provoking questions: Are we alone in this universe?
• Another important element of the study is to find out the distance between the exoplanet and its cluster stars.
● It helps scientists determine whether a discovered world is habitable or not. If an exoplanet is too close to the star, it may become too hot for water to remain liquid. If it is too far away, it may only have frozen water on it.
Red dwarf stars:
■ Red dwarf stars are small, low-mass, dim and cool stars, they are the most common and smallest in the universe.
• When a planet is at a distance that is capable of sustaining liquid water, it is called the "Goldilocks zone" or habitable zone.
Since they do not scatter much light, they are very difficult to detect with the naked eye from Earth.
However, because red dwarfs are dim compared to other stars, it is easier to find exoplanets orbiting them. That's why red dwarf planets are a popular target for hunting.
■ The habitable zone of red dwarf stars is closer to our Sun, which potentially makes it easier to detect habitable planets.
Question. The term 'Goldilocks Zone' is often seen in the news in reference to which of the following? (2015)
(a) Limits of the habitable zone above the earth's surface
(b) The area inside the Earth in which shale gas is available (c) Discovery of Earth-like planets in outer space (d) Discovery of meteorites containing valuable metals
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
■ The Goldilocks Zone, also called the Habitable Zone, is the area around a star where the surface of a planet like Earth is neither too cold nor too hot, meaning that life on that planet is not possible. There is a possibility of.
■ As we know, life on earth began due to the presence of water, hence water is an essential component of life.
Hence option (c) is correct.
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