Planet Found! Ross 128 Update for 11/16/2017

TL;DR

Scientists discover an earth-sized exoplanet orbiting Ross 128, a star 11 light years away, making it a potential candidate for colonization in the future.

Transcript

Long time viewers of this channel may remember a peculiar case from earlier this year of a radio signal being observed by the Arecibo telescope seemingly coming from the nearby star Ross 128. That particular signal is thought to have been interference from a satellite in orbit of earth, and it likely was, but that particular story is not so clean c... Read More

Key Insights

• 📡 The radio signal observed from Ross 128 is likely interference from satellites, but its dispersion-like features intrigued scientists.
• 🤭 Ross 128 is known for being a quiet red dwarf, making it more suitable for hosting an exoplanet with a stable atmosphere.
• 😚 Although Ross 128's newly discovered exoplanet is not the closest potentially habitable exoplanet, its proximity and potential for habitability make it significant.
• 👨‍🔬 Future research on the exoplanet's atmosphere could determine its habitability and the presence of active biology.
• 🎯 Ross 128's exoplanet could become a future target for colonization due to its proximity to Earth.
• 😓 The signal observed from Ross 128 did not repeat, casting doubt on its extraterrestrial origin.
• 😪 Red dwarfs like Ross 128 are generally not ideal for planetary atmospheres due to their high activity levels.

Questions & Answers

Q: What type of star is Ross 128, and why are red dwarfs generally not ideal for planetary atmospheres?

Ross 128 is a red dwarf star, known for being less suitable for planetary atmospheres because they tend to be highly active, emitting ultraviolet and X-ray radiation that erodes atmospheres. However, Ross 128 is a quiet red dwarf, making it a better candidate for hosting an exoplanet with a stable atmosphere.

Q: How does the potential habitability of the newly discovered exoplanet compare to Proxima Centauri B?

Proxima Centauri B is currently considered the closest potentially habitable exoplanet to Earth. While Ross 128's habitability is still uncertain, its proximity and the potential for a stable atmosphere make it an intriguing candidate similar to Proxima Centauri B.

Q: What is the significance of the radio signal observed from Ross 128?

The radio signal, although deemed most likely interference from human-made satellites, displayed dispersion-like features that typically indicate a non-local source. Follow-up observations did not provide much additional information, leaving the nature of the signal unclear.

Q: What potential does the earth-sized exoplanet orbiting Ross 128 hold for studying active biology?

If odd oxygen or methane levels are detected in the exoplanet's atmosphere, it would indicate the presence of active biology. The planet's proximity to Earth makes it a promising location for future studies and the search for life beyond our planet.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• A radio signal observed earlier from the star Ross 128 is believed to be interference from a satellite in Earth's orbit.

• Researchers at the La Silla observatory in Chile have found evidence of an earth-sized exoplanet with a 9.9-day orbit around Ross 128.

• Ross 128 is currently not the closest potentially habitable exoplanet to Earth, but it will become the closest known exoplanet in around 80,000 years.