Canadian astronomers identify a new earth like planet
Canadian Scientists have discovered an exoplanet located about 90 light years away from our solar system. This exoplanet, similar in size to Earth, is covered in volcanoes and has the potential to support life.
In an interview with National News, Björn Benneke, the head of the astronomy division within the physics department at the University of Montreal, expressed his team's immense excitement regarding the recent discovery.
During the interview, Benneke shared that upon their team's discovery of the planet, they were all excited knowing they had made a discovery that was unknown to the rest of the world at that time.
Benneke described the unique and exhilarating experience of being the only ones in the world, along with his students, to possess knowledge about this extraordinary "extra Earth" planet. Recognizing its potential to reshape our understanding of planets and the solar system, he emphasized that this discovery marked a monumental moment, leaving an impact on their scientific journey and opening doors to new possibilities in the exploration of the cosmos,
The term "exoplanet" refers to a planet that exists in solar systems beyond our own. Over the years, scientists have dedicated significant efforts to the search for exoplanets that could potentially sustain life. However, it remains a rarity to discover exoplanets that meet specific criteria or fall within certain parameters.
Benneke highlighted the particular excitement surrounding Earth-size planets and temperate planets with temperatures similar to Earth. These are the types of planets that scientists will focus on in the search for signs of life in the future. Regarding the discovered exoplanet, Benneke expressed that it holds the potential to be a prime candidate in this endeavor.
Astronomers prioritize certain factors when searching for potentially habitable exoplanets. Key among these factors are planets that share a similar size to Earth and orbit their star at a moderate distance, falling within what is known as the "habitable zone." This zone refers to a range of distances from the star where the temperature allows for the presence of liquid water on the planet's surface.
This newly discovered planet meets the criteria of being within the habitable zone and possessing a similar size to Earth, which has generated excitement among scientists.
The discovery of the new planet was made possible through the use of NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). The team's incorporation of data from the retired Spitzer Space Telescope provided compelling evidence for the planet's potential to sustain life.
Volcanoes are intriguing to scientists because they can bring essential elements for life to the surface of a planet, as explained by Dan Riskin, CTV's Science and Technology Specialist. This ability to release crucial building blocks generates excitement and interest among researchers.