From this discovery, scientists predict that all stars near the Sun on Earth have natural satellites. Therefore, there is the possibility of an Earth-like planet with the conditions for the development of life.
The Independent (UK) cited the results of a new study, saying that an international team of scientists have found 54 additional potential planets near Earth. This means that a total of researchers may have discovered 114 planets. Many of these planets could harbor life.
One of the extrasolar planets discovered is a hot “super-Earth” planet, which has a rocky surface and is located in a 4th star system closest to the solar system.
From the discovery of this planet, named Gliese 411-b, scientists can predict that all stars near the Sun on Earth have natural satellites. Therefore, there is the possibility of an Earth-like planet with the conditions for the development of life.
These results are based on nearly 61,000 individual observations of 1,600 stars made by American astronomers over a 20-year period using the Keck-I telescope in Hawaii.
The observations were part of the Lick-Carnegie Extrasolar Planets Survey project by astronomers Steve Vogt and Geoffrey Marcy of the University of California and Paul Butler of the Carnegie Institution for Science in Washington, starting in 1996.
Dr Tuomi, the only European researcher involved in the project and leading the data analysis, said: “It’s very interesting to think that when you look at the closest stars, they all seem like there are planets around. Just 5 years ago, this is something astronomers are still not convinced. New planets also help us better understand the processes that form planetary systems. and provide interesting targets for future live planetary imaging efforts. “
The team’s research has been accepted for publication in Astrophysics. With this study, scientists show that there are still many planets in space awaiting discovery by humans. This result reinforces the hypothesis of the existence of extraterrestrials.
