Today’s Current Affairs: Astronomers have made a groundbreaking discovery of a new Earth-sized planet just 55 light-years away. This planet orbits an ultra-cool red dwarf star known as SPECULOOS-3 b, completing an orbit in just 17 hours. With days and nights that are endless, this planet is more than twice as cold as our sun. The discovery, published in Nature Astronomy, sheds light on the unique characteristics of these ultra-cool red dwarf stars, which account for 70% of all stars in our galaxy. The SPECULOOS project, led by the University of Liège, aims to find potentially habitable exoplanets around these small and cold stars using robotic telescopes around the world.
1. How far away is the new Earth-sized planet discovered by astronomers?
– a) 100 light-years
– b) 55 light-years
– c) 200 light-years
– d) 30 light-years
Answer: b) 55 light-years
2. What is the name of the ultra-cool red dwarf star around which the new planet orbits?
– a) SPECULOOS-2 b
– b) SPECULOOS-1 a
– c) SPECULOOS-3 b
– d) SPECULOOS-4 c
Answer: c) SPECULOOS-3 b
3. How long does it take for SPECULOOS-3 b to complete an orbit around its star?
– a) 24 hours
– b) 17 hours
– c) 10 hours
– d) 30 hours
Answer: b) 17 hours
4. What is the temperature comparison between the ultra-cool red dwarf star and our sun?
– a) The same
– b) Ultra-cool red dwarf star is colder
– c) Ultra-cool red dwarf star is hotter
– d) Cannot be determined
Answer: b) Ultra-cool red dwarf star is colder
What did astronomers discover about the new Earth-sized planet?
Astronomers discovered a new Earth-sized planet orbiting an ultra-cool red dwarf star, just 55 light-years away. It is only the second planet of its kind to be found around this type of star.
What are some key characteristics of the star SPECULOOS-3 b is orbiting?
The star SPECULOOS-3 b takes 17 hours to complete an orbit, making a year on the planet shorter than a single Earth day. It is more than twice as cold as our sun, ten times less massive, and one hundred times less luminous.
How do days and nights work on SPECULOOS-3 b?
Days and nights on SPECULOOS-3 b are endless. The planet is believed to rotate synchronously, with the same side always facing the star (day side) and the other side locked in endless darkness (night side).
What is the significance of ultra-cool red dwarf stars in the galaxy?
Ultra-cool red dwarf stars account for around 70% of all stars in the galaxy. They have a lifespan of about 100 billion years, making them potential candidates to be the final stars to shine in the universe.
How did the SPECULOOS project aid in the discovery of SPECULOOS-3 b?
The SPECULOOS project, led by the University of Liège in Belgium in collaboration with other universities, uses robotic telescopes around the world to search for potentially habitable exoplanets around ultra-cool dwarf stars. The project helped discover SPECULOOS-3 b and aims to find rocky planets suitable for detailed studies.
Today's Current Affairs bring exciting news from the world of astronomy, as astronomers have discovered a new Earth-sized planet just 55 light-years away. This planet, named SPECULOOS-3 b, is orbiting an ultra-cool red dwarf star and is only the second of its kind to be found around this type of star.
SPECULOOS-3 b has a short orbit of approximately 17 hours, making a year on the planet shorter than a single Earth day. It is more than twice as cold as our sun and has unique characteristics such as having days and nights that are endless. The planet is believed to rotate synchronously, with one side always facing the star and the other locked in darkness.
This discovery was made possible through the SPECULOOS project, which aims to find potentially habitable exoplanets around the smallest and coldest stars in our solar neighborhood. Led by the University of Liège in Belgium, the project utilizes robotic telescopes located around the world to monitor ultra-cool red dwarf stars.
With this new finding, astronomers are one step closer to understanding the vast universe and the potential for life beyond our own planet.
