A planet similar to the earth exists at 35 light years

A planet of dimension similar to that of the earth revolves around its star at 35 light years from us. For example, a Quebec team managed to characterize it for the first time.

Nothing says that this planet currently houses a form of life, but the possible conditions bring experts to consider it. Consequently, It is rocky and not gaseous and has a gravity similar to ours.

“This planet is in what is called a habitable area. Meanwhile, that is to say neither too close nor too far from his star. In addition, It is an essential condition for the formation of an atmosphere. For example, ”said Journal Charles Cadieux, who will shortly publish his article in the specialized journal ArXivfrom Cornell University.

The latter had made the headlines at the start of his doctorate when he described planet similar earth exists 35 another extrasolar planet covered with water. In addition, a planet-ocean.

The fifth planet of the L 98-59 system is located 35 light years in the direction of the constellation. Therefore, of the flying fish. Consequently, But do not look for it above your heads, it is a constellation visible only in the southern hemisphere.

And if this planet is relatively close to us compared to other objects studied by astronomers. its distance corresponds to around 331,000 billion kilometers. We are not close to sending a human there since traveling. the most distant spaceship ever designed by humanity, has only traveled 24 billion kilometers in almost 50 years.

Not visible planet

“We can’t see it. but we could [l’]Study thanks to observations in a telescope of Chile and using the James-Webb space telescope, “explains Mr. Cadieux. who had made the headlines at the start of his doctorate when he had described planet similar earth exists 35 another extraness planet covered with water, a planet-ocean.

The particularity of this planet barely larger than the earth. but three times more massive, is that it is very close to the star around which it turns. By comparison, it would be at the level of mercury compared to the sun.

But while the conditions on the surface of the latter make the presence of liquid water impossible. the fifth planet of L 98-59 could have it, because its star, a red dwarf, is three times less hot than the sun. It could thus have an atmosphere, an essential condition for the presence of life.

Another peculiarity, this planet always presents the same face towards its star, a bit like the moon compared to us. If we moved there. we would see that it is very hot on the surface exposed, and very cold on the other. The winds are therefore planet similar earth exists 35 extremely powerful at the contact points between the two hemispheres.

Extraterrestrial life?

Charles Cadieux. who is now at the end of his doctorate career at the University of Montreal and who will continue postdoctoral studies at the Geneva Observatory, Switzerland, hopes to see the first forms of extraterrestrial life in his lifetime.

“Nothing is guaranteed. but I believe that we are of the first generation of humans to be able to seriously consider this scientific possibility. We have progressed a lot for 30 years. especially in the discovery of planets potentially capable of sheltering life elsewhere than on earth. I cross my fingers. “