In a momentous development, researchers from the University of Warwick, utilising NASA satellite data, have identified an additional 85 exoplanets, broadening our comprehension of celestial bodies beyond our solar system. These newfound exoplanets, varying in size from 11,000 to an impressive 350,000 miles in diameter, all surpass the roughly 8,000 miles of Earth.
The significance of this discovery lies in the potential habitability of these exoplanets, as they are situated within the so-called ‘habitable zone’ around their host stars. The habitable zone, similar to Earth’s position from the sun, ensures temperatures conducive to sustaining life. However, despite the excitement surrounding these findings, it remains uncertain whether any of these exoplanets indeed host alien life.
The lead scientist in the study at the University of Warwick’s Astronomy and Astrophysics department expressed the rarity of detecting habitable planets. They pointed out that specific conditions are necessary for habitability, and further research is imperative to confirm these possibilities.
The scientists harnessed NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), launched in 2018, to scrutinise the brightness changes of nearby stars. The ‘transit’ method employed involves observing periodic dips in starlight, indicating a planet passing in front of its star.
This approach not only helps identify exoplanets but also provides insights into their characteristics, such as size and orbital period. By discerning the time an exoplanet takes to orbit its star, scientists can estimate its distance from the star. A planet at a similar distance to Earth from the sun suggests a potentially habitable environment.
Despite these advancements, uncertainties persist regarding the new exoplanets. The lead scientist highlighted the need for ongoing research to ascertain precise orbital periods, the presence of moons, and the composition of these celestial bodies.
In a departure from previous TESS discoveries, these 85 exoplanets exhibit longer orbital periods, resulting in cooler temperatures. The lead scientist clarified that their orbits, observed twice during the study period, contrast with the three-time orbits of previously discovered exoplanets by TESS.
A preliminary estimate suggests these exoplanets take between 20 and 700 days to complete an orbit around their host stars, significantly longer than the 3 to 10 days observed for most TESS-discovered exoplanets. The exact distances from their respective stars, crucial for confirming habitability, remain undetermined.
Of the 85 exoplanets, 60 are brand new discoveries, with an additional 25 also detected by other research teams using different search techniques. While awaiting confirmation from NASA, the researchers remain optimistic about future observations solidifying the status of these celestial bodies as exoplanets.
NASA stipulates that confirmed exoplanets must be validated by at least two discovery methods. The lead scientist emphasised the necessity for additional research groups to contribute to the confirmation process, especially considering the lack of mass data for these exoplanets.
As of January 2024, over 5,500 exoplanets have been discovered and confirmed since the first in 1992. NASA’s exoplanet database categorises them into various types, including Neptune-like, gas giants, super-Earths, and rocky planets. However, this only represents a fraction of the estimated planets in the Milky Way galaxy alone, potentially numbering in the hundreds of billions.
The implications of this new study have been published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (MNRAS), marking a significant step forward in our exploration of the vast cosmic landscape.
In conclusion, the discovery of these 85 exoplanets, potentially habitable, underscores the continuous advancements in our understanding of the universe. While tantalising, the quest for alien life remains ongoing, necessitating further research to unlock the secrets of these distant celestial bodies. As technology and exploration efforts progress, the hope is that future observations will bring us closer to unravelling the mysteries of the cosmos.