DESCOBERTO O SEGUNDO EXOPLANETA MAIS PRÓXIMO DA TERRA

Introduction

This tutorial outlines the discovery of the second closest exoplanet to Earth, known as Barnard b, made using the Very Large Telescope (VLT) of the European Southern Observatory (ESO). Understanding this discovery is significant for the ongoing search for planets similar to Earth and the study of potentially habitable environments in our cosmic neighborhood.

Step 1: Understand the Discovery Context

• Barnard b orbits Barnard's Star, the closest individual star to our solar system, located just six light-years away.
• The exoplanet has at least half the mass of Venus and completes an orbit around its star in approximately 3.15 Earth days.
• The discovery was announced in a study published in Astronomy & Astrophysics, following five years of observations.

Step 2: Learn About the Observational Tools

• The primary instrument used for this discovery was ESPRESSO, which measures the oscillation of stars caused by the gravitational pull of orbiting planets.
• Additional data came from specialized instruments:
  • HARPS at La Silla Observatory
  • HARPS-N
  • CARMENES

Step 3: Explore the Characteristics of Barnard b

• Barnard b is located 20 times closer to its star than Mercury is to the Sun.
• The surface temperature of Barnard b is approximately 125 °C, making it too hot for liquid water, despite being one of the lowest mass exoplanets known.
• It resides outside the habitable zone, where conditions are suitable for liquid water.

Step 4: Investigate Additional Candidates

• Alongside Barnard b, the research team detected signs of three additional potential exoplanets orbiting Barnard's Star.
• Confirmation of these candidates will require further observations using the ESPRESSO instrument.

Step 5: Recognize the Implications for Future Research

• The Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) currently under construction will enhance the search for rocky exoplanets in the habitable zones of nearby stars.
• The ELT’s ANDES instrument will enable the detection of smaller planets and facilitate studies of their atmospheric compositions.

Conclusion

The discovery of Barnard b adds to our understanding of exoplanets and their potential environments. Future observations will be crucial for confirming additional candidates and studying the characteristics of these distant worlds. As technology advances, tools like the ELT will play a significant role in unraveling the mysteries of our cosmic neighborhood, increasing our chances of finding Earth-like planets. Keep an eye on ongoing research in this field for more exciting developments.