A newly found exoplanet discovered using NASA's TESS satellite is believed to be potentially habitable. Called Gliese 12b, the planet is located 40 light-years away from Earth in the Pisces constellation. It orbits a cool, red dwarf star.
Gliese 12b is slightly smaller than Earth and is positioned within the habitable zone where liquid water might be supported, with a predicted surface temperature of 107 degrees Fahrenheit without an atmosphere, only slightly hotter than our planet. The estimated temperature suggests it can be a potential "intergalactic oasis."
The presence of an atmosphere is crucial in determining Gliese 12b's habitability, as it could have an Earth-like, Venus-like, or different atmosphere, affecting its potential to support life.
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope will further study Gliese 12b's atmosphere and potential habitability, building on the planet's characteristics.
TESS satellite
(NASA)
By studying Gliese 12b scientists hope to shed light on the differences between Earth and Venus, helping determine common outcomes between Earth-like and Venus-like planets, as more similar examples are needed to study their atmospheric composition and evolution.
Gliese 12b's proximity to its star, Gliese 12, and the star's storminess could significantly impact the planet's habitability, and comparing it to Venus provides insights into its potential atmospheric conditions.
This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq
Sources: NBC, Forbes, Independent, Popular Science, New York Post, Science Daily, Science Alert, Phys.org, Daily Mail, Science Magazine, Quartz, Space.com, Science News, Digital Trends, Cosmos Magazine, Science Times, Earth.com