Scientists have just confirmed a potentially habitable planet located about 35 light years from Earth: L98‑59f, part of the L98‑59 red dwarf system. This is the fifth planet discovered in this star system and is located in the habitable zone of its host star (Phys.org).
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| Highlights of L98‑59f |
Highlights of L98‑59f
Minimum mass is about 2.8 times that of Earth, classified as a super‑Earth.
Near-circular orbit with a period of about 23 Earth days, receiving the same amount of energy as Earth from the Sun.
Since it does not transit (does not pass in front of its host star as viewed from Earth), this planet was discovered using extremely precise centromere velocity measurements, using data from the HARPS and ESPRESSO telescopes (Space).
This is a very diverse planetary system—it includes sub‑Earths, water‑worlds, and super‑Earths—which provide excellent opportunities to study a wide range of potential environments.
Could L98‑59f support life?
L98‑59f receives the same amount of stellar radiation as Earth, so if it had the right atmosphere and surface temperature, it could sustain liquid water, which is necessary for life as we know it. However, there is no confirmation of an atmosphere or specific atmospheric composition yet.
Next steps in the research
Scientists are using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to learn more about the atmospheric composition and the possibility of biosignatures on the planet.
The L98‑59 system is considered one of the closest and most diverse, making it ideal for comparing small rocky planets and studying the ability to retain atmospheres around red dwarfs—a common environment in the Milky Way (Phys.org).
Characteristics Parameters Distance~35 light years Host Star Red dwarf L98‑59Planet name L98‑59f Mass~2.8 times that of Earth (super‑Earth)Orbital period~23 Earth days Habitable zone Yes, receives the same amount of energy as Earth Detection mechanism Measurement of radial velocity, no transits Is there liquid water? Possible if there is a suitable atmos phere Follow-up Atmos pheric observations and biosigna tures via JWST
Why is this discovery important?
The L98‑59 system is a prime example of the diversity of planetary systems around red dwarfs, helping to expand our understanding of the potential for life in different conditions outside the Solar System (Space, Phys.org, www.ndtv.com, Space, Wikipedia).
The identification of a planet in the habitable zone without using the transit method represents the advancement of modern astronomical techniques such as HARPS‑ESPRESSO combined with return data analysis (Phys.org).
It is a prime candidate for atmospheric studies and testing the hypothesis of life due to its relatively close proximity and the ability to observe with JWST.
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