NASA found Super-Earth

NASA found Super-Earth ⭐ Cooler and Closer! 🌌👀 #TOI715b #spacewow #nasaadventures - NASA has recently discovered a super-Earth named TOI-715 b, using the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), a space telescope in orbit around Earth. This intriguing exoplanet is situated in another solar system, approximately 137 light-years away. Despite the vast distance, it is considered relatively close in the realm of space (a light-year being nearly 6 trillion miles).

TOI-715 b is about 1.5 times the size of Earth, falling into the category of super-Earths, which are 30 to 70 percent larger than our planet. What makes this discovery particularly fascinating is its location within the habitable zone, also known as the "Goldilocks" zone. This is the region around a star where conditions might be just right for liquid water to exist on the planet's surface. NASA emphasizes that other factors, such as a suitable atmosphere, are crucial for the presence of surface water.

Although TOI-715 b has a relatively short orbit around its star, lasting only 19 days, it is not expected to be a scorching world. This is because its star is a cooler and smaller red dwarf, unlike our medium-sized sun.

The detection of TOI-715 b was reported in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. The TESS observatory, designed to identify exoplanets by detecting their transits in front of their stars, played a crucial role in this discovery. Rocky planets orbiting cooler red dwarfs are considered promising candidates for potentially hosting conditions suitable for life.

NASA plans to further investigate TOI-715 b using the James Webb Space Telescope, located about 1 million miles from Earth. The James Webb Telescope has the capability to examine the atmospheres of distant exoplanets, providing more insights into the nature of these worlds. Scientists are particularly excited about super-Earths like TOI-715 b, as they represent promising targets in the search for habitable planets beyond our solar system.