Researchers at the University of California, Irvine have located an exoplanet named GJ 251 c, situated in the habitable zone of an M-dwarf star approximately 18 light-years away. This discovery positions the planet as a significant target in the ongoing search for extraterrestrial life, particularly due to its potential for liquid water, a critical element for life as we know it.
Characteristics of GJ 251 c
The planet is classified as a “super-Earth,” indicating it is several times more massive than Earth but appears to have a rocky composition akin to our own planet. The habitable zone is crucial, as it refers to the region around a star where temperatures might allow liquid water to exist on the surface. This characteristic enhances the planet’s potential to support life.
Co-author Paul Robertson, an associate professor of physics and astronomy at UC Irvine, remarked, “What makes this especially valuable is that its host star is close by… Cosmically speaking, it’s practically next door.” This proximity allows for more detailed study and potential future observations.
Observations and Instrumentation
GJ 251 c orbits an M-dwarf star, the most common type of star in the galaxy, known for its significant stellar activity, including starspots and flares. Such activity can complicate the detection of planets, as it sometimes mimics the subtle signals astronomers seek. Nevertheless, the close distance of GJ 251 c makes it an excellent candidate for direct imaging with advanced telescopes.
The planet was identified using data from two high-precision instruments, the Habitable-zone Planet Finder and NEID, which measure the gravitational influence of orbiting planets on their stars. These instruments allow scientists to detect minute shifts in a star’s light caused by the gravitational pull from a planet, a method known as radial velocity measurement.
Lead author Corey Beard, a data scientist at Design West Technologies and former graduate student in Robertson’s group, noted, “TMT will be the only telescope with sufficient resolution to image exoplanets like this one.” The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT), currently under development, will have the capability to directly observe faint exoplanets, potentially revealing the presence of water.
Future Prospects and Collaboration
The research team emphasizes the need for next-generation telescopes to confirm GJ 251 c’s properties and assess its potential for hosting life. Beard stated, “While its discovery is quite statistically significant, we are still determining the status of the planet due to the uncertainty of our instruments and methods.” The involvement of the scientific community is vital for further exploration and validation of their findings.
Collaboration on this project involved experts from various institutions, including Jack Lubin of UCLA, Eric Ford and Suvrath Mahadevan from Pennsylvania State University, Gudmundur Stefansson from the University of the Netherlands, and Eric Wolf from the University of Colorado, Boulder. The research has received support from the National Science Foundation (NSF) grant AST-2108493 and NASA/NSF funding for the NN-EXPLORE program.
This discovery of GJ 251 c not only enhances our understanding of potentially habitable worlds beyond our solar system but also underscores the importance of continued investment in astronomical research and technology.
