The scientific fraternity is abuzz with the recent discovery of six exoplanets orbiting a nearby bright star, HD 110067, located in the Coma Berenices constellation. This groundbreaking finding was published in the esteemed journal, Nature. With the constant advancements in space technology and tools, this discovery sheds light on some intriguing aspects of these exoplanets.
Discovery by NASA and ESA’s Space Telescopes
The pool of data that led to uncovering these exoplanets came from National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) and European Space Agency’s (ESA) CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite (CHEOPS). It’s worth noting that CHEOPS is ESA’s premier space mission committed to exploring bright, proximate stars already known to host exoplanets, enabling high-precision observation of the planet’s size during its transit in front of its host star.
Information about Sub-Neptunes
Classified as ‘sub-Neptunes,’ the six exoplanets in the HD 110067 system have radii falling between that of Earth and Neptune. The determination of their masses and densities point towards relatively low-density atmospheres that might be hydrogen-rich. An interesting feature of these planets is their resonant orbits where reciprocal forces are regularly exerted on each other during their orbit. This has led scientists to believe that the system has remained practically unchanged for at least four billion years since its inception. Following an increase in distance from the star, these planets have been designated as HD 110067 b, c, d, e, f, and g.
About HD 110067
HD 110067, the star around which these six exoplanets revolve, is situated about 100 light-years away from Earth in the Coma Berenices constellation. This star is visible from the Northern Hemisphere and holds the distinction of being the brightest star hosting more than four transiting exoplanets to date. Coma Berenices, also known as Berenice’s Hair, is a medium-sized constellation residing in the northern celestial hemisphere. It can be seen from both the hemispheres with easier visibility from the northern hemisphere during spring and summer.
The Concept of Exoplanets
Exoplanets are those planets that revolve around stars other than our Sun and are located beyond our solar system. The first confirmed detection of exoplanets was made in 1992. According to NASA’s records, over 5,000 exoplanets have been discovered till now.
The ‘Goldilocks Zone’ Context
The term ‘Goldilocks Zone’ often emerges in the context of search for Earth-like planets in outer space. It signifies the habitable zone near a star where the temperature is just right–neither too hot nor too cold–for liquid water to exist on a planet. Since liquid water is an essential requisite for life, this zone holds potential for accommodating biotic organisms, hence, it is referred to as the ‘habitable zone.’