Potential Habitable Zone Identified Beyond Earth's Reach
NASA's Discovery:
NASA has discovered a potentially habitable area named 'TOI-715 b' located 137 light years away from Earth. This exoplanet, which exists beyond our solar system, is approximately 1.5 times larger than Earth and orbits a small star.
Factors Favoring Habitability:
The planet receives suitable temperatures from its central star, making it possible for liquid water, the essential element for life, to exist.
Future Investigations:
Following the discovery, astronomers plan to analyze the characteristics of TOI-715 b further.
Collaborative Efforts:
International scientists, led by the University of Birmingham, contributed to the discovery. Using data collected from the TESS satellite launched into space in 2018, scientists utilized ground-based telescopes to pinpoint the location of TOI-715 b based on signals received from space.
Key Findings:
Researchers determined that TOI-715 b has a significantly smaller orbit around its star compared to Earth, completing one revolution in just 19 days. This means that one year on this planet equals 19 Earth days.
This groundbreaking discovery opens up new possibilities for understanding the universe and potential habitable zones beyond our solar system.