Two New Exoplanets Discovered in Draco Constellation
In a groundbreaking discovery, astronomers have identified two new exoplanets orbiting a star located approximately 250 light-years from Earth in the Draco constellation. Named TOI-1453 b and TOI-1453 c, these planets represent a super-Earth and a sub-Neptune, respectively. While such planets are common in the Milky Way, neither type exists within our solar system. The host star, TOI-1453, is smaller and cooler than our Sun, and the planets were detected in a binary star system where two stars orbit each other.
Details of the Discovery
The findings were detailed in a study published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics. The detection of TOI-1453 b and TOI-1453 c was made possible through data collected by NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) and the High Accuracy Radial Velocity Planet Searcher (HARPS-N) spectrograph based in Spain. TESS utilized the transit method, which involves monitoring the brightness of a star for dips caused by a planet passing in front of it. Complementary observations from the HARPS-N spectrograph provided additional data by detecting shifts in the star’s light due to the gravitational influence of the orbiting planets.
Characteristics of TOI-1453 b and TOI-1453 c
According to astrophysicist Manu Stalport from the University of Liège, TOI-1453 b is classified as a super-Earth, slightly larger than our planet and likely rocky in composition. It completes an orbit around its host star in just over four days, indicating its close proximity to the star, which likely results in extremely high surface temperatures. On the other hand, TOI-1453 c is categorized as a sub-Neptune, nearly twice the size of Earth but with a relatively low mass of about 2.9 Earth masses. This raises intriguing questions regarding its density and composition. Astronomers speculate that TOI-1453 c may possess a hydrogen-rich atmosphere or a water-dominated interior, making it a subject of interest for further study.
Implications for Future Research
The discovery of TOI-1453 b and TOI-1453 c opens new avenues for understanding planetary formation and the diversity of exoplanets in our galaxy. As scientists continue to explore these distant worlds, they hope to gather more data that could reveal insights into their atmospheres and potential habitability. The findings also underscore the capabilities of modern astronomical tools, such as TESS and HARPS-N, in expanding our knowledge of the universe beyond our solar system.
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