Alyssa Jankowski of the University of Wisconsin-Madison recently discovered a terrestrial planet called HD 63433d located only 73 light-years away from Earth. The planet is about the size of Earth and is the closest and smallest terrestrial planet discovered so far. This exciting discovery is shedding light on the early stages of planetary formation and helping scientists gain a better understanding of how planetary systems evolve.
This groundbreaking discovery was made possible through the efforts of NASA researcher Melinda Soares-Furtado and her team, which included astronomers from around the world. HD 63433d is a particularly interesting planet because it is believed to resemble early Earth. Its proximity to its parent star, HD 63433, has led astronomers to believe that it may be gravitationally locked, with one side always facing the star and the other side in perpetual darkness. The side facing the star can reach temperatures as high as 2,300 degrees Fahrenheit, potentially leading to the flow of lava.
The parent star, HD 63433, is about the same size and type as the sun but is significantly younger at only 400 million years old. It is part of the constellation Ursa Major and can be seen in the night sky with good binoculars from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
The discovery of HD 63433d was made possible through the THYME planet hunting project and data collected from NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite. The planet’s unique position and its active parent star make it an ideal candidate for further study. The researchers are hopeful that new methods and tools can be developed to study the planet’s gases and magnetic field.
The research results have been published in the Astronomical Journal, further highlighting the significance of this discovery in the field of astronomy. With HD 63433d being located so relatively close to Earth, scientists are eager to continue studying this newfound planet and uncover the secrets it holds.
The potential insights gained from HD 63433d could revolutionize our understanding of planetary systems and provide valuable information about the early stages of Earth’s formation. As Soares-Furtado remarked, “It’s kind of exciting that this is our solar system’s backyard.”