Nearby 25-light-year world now looks rocky after mass reestimate
TL;DR
Astronomers have revised the mass of the nearby exoplanet Gliese 3378 b down to about 2.3 Earth masses, shifting it from the edge of a mini-Neptune into the rocky regime. Its 21.45-day orbit places it in the star’s habitable zone at roughly 25 light-years away, making it a promising candidate for a rocky world; however, the existence of a solid surface or an atmosphere—and thus true habitability—still requires confirmation.
Topics:top-newsscience#exoplanet-mass#gliese-3378-b#habitable-zone#radial-velocity#rocky-planet#science
- A world just 25 light-years away sits in the narrow zone where liquid water could exist on its surface — and astronomers at UC Irvine have now revised its mass down to just 2.3 times Earth’s, making it look less like a gas-shrouded mini-Neptune and more like s Space Daily
- Astronomers discover a potentially habitable planet just 25 light-years away. 'This one is exciting' Space
- UC Irvine astronomers discover a new Earth-like exoplanet UC Irvine News
- Potentially Habitable Super-Earth Found Just 25 Light-Years Away ScienceAlert
- Nearby 'Super Earth' may be a better candidate for life than previously thought Phys.org
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