When evaluating data from the Cheops space telescope, an ESA research team spotted a new exoplanet: a so-called super-earth.
Geneva / Darmstadt – A little less than 50 light years away from our solar system, with a radius 2.5 times the size of the earth and rich in water: The sighting of the exoplanet “Nu2 Lupi d” is one of the greatest achievements in space research of this year. The appearance of super-earth on the recordings of the Cheops space telescope was a real chance find.
The research team led by astrophysicist Laetitia Delrez (University of Liège in Belgium) actually wanted to focus on two other exoplanets of the star system when the planet suddenly appeared on the records.
Super-earth is a chance find “of the highest relevance” – researchers discover exoplanets
The planet was both a chance find and something very special, say the experts who recorded and evaluated the discovery. The planet shows rare properties and, according to the European Space Agency ESA, “cannot be compared with any equivalent that has been discovered so far”.
Transit systems like “Nu2 Lupi” are “of the highest relevance when it comes to understanding how planets are formed and evolve,” explains Delrez, who led the study. With their help, several planets in the same orbit can be compared in detail.
ESA finds super earth: “Nu2 Lupi d” is a chance find in space
The passage of planets past a star – so-called “transits” – are an excellent way of evaluating many of the properties of a planet. This included its atmosphere and size, orbit and its properties, explains ESA in a press release. The orbit of the exoplanet observed by Delrez and her team lasts 107 days, the mass of the planet corresponds to 8.8 times the comparable value of the earth, its radius is about 2.5 times as large.
The sighting of super-earth is a minor sensation for science. The ESA, which operates the Cheops telescope, reports that this is the first time an exoplanet has been identified with an orbit of over 100 days around a star that is visible to the naked eye. The sun-like star “Nu2 Lupi” with its exoplanets b, c and d is located in the constellation Lupus (wolf). The three exoplanets orbiting the star were first discovered in 2019 by a space telescope in Chile.
Super earth “Nu2 Lupi d” discovered: Comparatively low radiation and rich in water
“The amount of radiation on planet d is relatively small compared to numerous other discovered exoplates,” explains co-author of the study David Ehrenreich from the University of Geneva: “In our solar system, the planet would lie with its orbit between the planets Mercury and Venus.”
In his opinion, the sighting of the planet is an exciting approach for further research, the planet as a whole is an “extraordinary object”. While many exoplanets are in star systems that are too dark for detailed investigations using current technical means, “Nu2 Lupi” offers researchers excellent conditions for further investigations.
Researchers discover new exoplanets – none are habitable
Delrez’s team was also able to provide initial information on the nature of the planets around “Nu2 Lupi”: Planet “b” is primarily rocky, planets “c” and “d” are far richer in water than the earth. However, the water on the planet is not liquid, but takes the form of highly concentrated ice or hot steam.
- Cheops examines the Nu2 Lupi exoplanets:
- Nu2 Lupi b: duration of an orbit is 11.6 days, mostly rock
- Nu2 Lupi c: duration of one orbit is 27.6 days, large amount of water
- Nu2 Lupi d: duration of an orbit is 107.6 days, large amount of water
- Source: Esa
“Even if none of these planets are habitable, the diversity of the properties determined makes the investigation extremely exciting,” explained ESA project team member Kate Isaak. Other research questions could include studying how the planets evolve over time, or using the Cheops telescope to find rings or moons. (ska)
Researchers from Göttingen are also regularly involved in tracking down so-called super-earths in space.
Rubriklistenbild: © Science Photo Library/Imago
