(Photo:NASA/JPL-Caltech/R.
Hurt (Caltech-IPAC))
The search for extraterrestrial life has long motivated astronomers.
The universe is vast and many realms still remain unknown.
An artist’s concept of Gliese 12 b with a thin atmosphere and it’s red dwarf in the distance. (Photo:NASA/JPL-Caltech/R. Hurt (Caltech-IPAC))
Gliese 12 b is about 40 light-years from Earth.
It orbits a star named Gliese 12, a red dwarf much cooler than our own Sun.
The exoplanet makes a complete orbit in a swift 12.8 days unlike our Earth’s year-long journey.
Earth with different possible Gliese 12b atmospheres which change the size. (Photo:NASA/JPL-Caltech/R. Hurt (Caltech-IPAC))
Estimates place the surface temperature at about 107 degrees Fahrenheit at the exoplanet’s surface.
While significantly hotter than Earth, this estimate could be affected by the exoplanet’s atmosphereif it has one.
The Earth is habitable, but Venus is not due to its complete loss of water.
Earth with different possible Gliese 12b atmospheres which change the size.
(Photo:NASA/JPL-Caltech/R.
