NASA has announced that its TESS mission has discovered two "new worlds" that may contain rocky minerals orbiting the red dwarf star HD 260655, a star close to our cosmic neighbor. Only 33 light-years from Earth, it is one of the closest multi-planet systems to ours ever discovered.
Scientists can use this discovery to understand the composition of exoplanets and assess their atmospheres, providing important clues for people to search for extraterrestrial life.
The two newly discovered exoplanets are called "super-Earths" -- larger than Earth but smaller than ice giants.
They orbit an icy red dwarf called HD 260655.
Planet HD 260655 b is 1.2 times the size of Earth and about twice as massive, orbiting its star every 2.8 days.
The planet HD 260655 c, on the other hand, is 1.5 times the size and 3 times the mass of Earth and orbits its star every 5.7 days.
Based on size, mass and density data, they are likely rocky planets, the researchers said.
Both planets are too hot to support life.
The temperature of planet B is about 435°C, and the temperature of planet C is about 284°C.
The actual temperature depends on the atmosphere that may be present and its properties.
Still, the scientific team that discovered these planets says they are well worth further study.
(Produced by Zhou Jing)
Responsible editor: [Sun Jingbo]