Active since 1990, but recently the Kepler can be said to have made the most important discovery in its history.
To complete the journey to find extraterrestrial life, there are 3 criteria which are considered the prerequisite key.
First, we need to find a planet similar in size to Earth. Second, it should be close enough. And finally, its orbit must pass through its host star at an angle that we can observe, thus studying the atmospheric composition.
Based on these factors, the new star GJ 9827 Kepler could be one of the most important discoveries in history.
As a result, experts noticed that there were 3 “super-Earths” surrounding it. These star-planet systems are 98 light years away from us and are very good candidates for studying their atmospheres.
“The first analysis shows that the group of planets of GJ 9827 are excellent candidates for studying the atmosphere” – quoted Prajwal Niraula of Wesleyan University (USA).
GJ 9827 is a star about 70% the size and mass of the Sun, Niraula said. The three planets (coded as GJ 9827b, c, and d) have dimensions that are 1.75, 1.36, and 2.1 times larger than Earth, respectively.
According to previous studies, it was thought that 1.5 times the size of the Earth was the maximum threshold, before a planet turned into a gas globe. Thus, these three perfect numbers will allow us to observe how the planets change according to their size, on the same star system.
These are the closest planets found by Kepler. In fact, the planets brought by the telescope are closer, but mainly determined from the light disturbed by gravitational waves. Meanwhile, these three new planets originate from their passage through the host star at an angle that we can observe.
“This is one of the best targets for studying atmospheric composition, because the light hitting them is relatively clear.” – said Niraula.
“At least in the top 5, in our opinion.”
When we see light through the atmosphere, we can observe spectroscopy, determine the composition and thus determine what is behind this atmospheric layer. So far, this is the best way to know the life situation on the alien planets.
It is also important to know that GJ 9827b, c, and d are most likely unable to support life, as the distance between them and their host star is either too close or too far away. But Niraula said their atmospheres are still likely to reveal a lot of information, such as the case of Venus in the solar system.
Operated since 1990, these can be considered the latest discoveries in the history of Hubble’s operations. In the near future, the next-generation James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) will be replaced.
