Scientists often search for Earth-like planets in space. Recently, the American space agency NASA discovered a planet with a mass four times that of Earth. It is in the outer region of our galaxy. Although scientists named it 'Ross 500 b', it is also called 'Super Earth.'
Planets outside our solar system 37 light-years away from Earth are
called exoplanets, so Ross 500 b is also an exoplanet. It is 37 light-years away from Earth. According to NASA, it orbits a star with one-fifth the mass of the Sun.
The name of this star is Red Dwarf. It is much brighter red, cooler, and fainter than our Sun. A super earth orbits at a distance of 5 million kilometers. At the same time, if we talk about our solar system, Mercury's first planet is also at a distance of 60 million kilometers from the Sun. In such a situation, whether life is possible on this exoplanet arises.
Newly discovered Ross 508-B. The green color represents the area where water exists on the planet's surface. The exoplanet's orbit is the blue line.
A Year on an Exoplanet 11 Days
Since the distance between Ross 500 b and the Red Dwarf is so short, it takes only 10.8 days for an exoplanet to orbit the star. So here, one year is equal to 11 days. A year on Earth is 365 days.
Discovered by Subaru Telescope
Ross 500B is the first exoplanet discovered by Japan's Subaru Strategic Program. It was observed with the help of the Subaru Telescope. Japan's Astrobiology Center developed its technology.
Is life possible on exoplanets?
According to NASA, the surface of Ross 500b may be rockier than Earth. Its elliptical orbit is not always the same distance from the star. According to scientists, such a planet may be able to retain water on its surface. However, more research is needed on whether water or life evolved here.