NASA has found six new exoplanets: Learn about fascinating details of super-Earths and rare hot Jupiters
NASA has reached a major achievement by verifying the existence of six new exoplanets: HD 36384 b, TOI-198 b, TOI-2095 b, TOI-2095 c, TOI-4860 b, and MWC 758 c. This finding increases the total number of confirmed exoplanets beyond our solar system to 5,502, representing a significant step forward in our comprehension of the cosmos and the possibility of alien life.
Background from Exoplanet Discovery
The search for exoplanets began about 31 years ago, when the first exoplanets, Poltergeist and Phobetor, were confirmed to be orbiting the pulsar PSR B1257+12 in 1992. By March 2022, the number of discovered exoplanets had exceeded 5,000, reflecting significant progress in the field. .
Properties of Recently Discovered Exoplanets
– HD 36384 b: Super-Jupiter orbiting an M-giant star nearly 40 times the size of the Sun.
– TOI-198 b: Possibly rocky and located on the inner edge of its star’s habitable zone.
– TOI-2095 b and TOI-2095 c: Hot super-Earths orbiting the same M dwarf star.
– TOI-4860 b: A rare “hot Jupiter” orbiting an M dwarf star every 1.52 days.
– MWC 758 c: A giant protoplanet orbiting a young star in the protoplanetary disk, providing insights into early planet formation.
Detection methods and tools
These exoplanets were identified using several different techniques:
– Radial Velocity: This method measures the wobble of stars caused by orbiting planets.
– Transit Method: This technique detects the dimming of starlight when planets pass in front of their host stars.
– Direct imaging: This method was used to identify MWC 758 c.
The impact of space telescopes
NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), launched in 2018, has been instrumental in discovering thousands of exoplanet candidates. Other space telescopes such as Spitzer, Hubble and the James Webb Space Telescope have also played a crucial role in the study of exoplanets.
Future prospects
Looking ahead, NASA plans to launch the Nancy Grace Space Telescope in May 2027, carrying a coronagraph instrument designed to directly image exoplanets. This technology could pave the way for future missions, such as the proposed Habitable Worlds Observatory, which aims to search for signs of life on exoplanets.
NASA’s discovery of six new exoplanets is a major milestone in exoplanet research, improving our understanding of the universe and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. Thanks to advanced technology and future missions, the study of exoplanets is still a promising and rapidly developing field.
