NYU Abu Dhabi Fellow for d

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: – A team of scientists led by researchers at the University of Montreal recently discovered an Earth-sized exoplanet, a world beyond our solar system that may be riddled with volcanoes and potentially host to life. The planet, called LP 791-18 d, could experience volcanic eruptions as frequently as Jupiter’s moon Io, the most volcanically active body in our solar system. The team included Mohamad Ali-Dib, a research scientist at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) Center for Astronomy, Particle and Planetary Physics.

The planet was discovered and studied using NASA data Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), the Spitzer Space Telescope, and a suite of ground-based observatories. Dr Ali-Dib has led research specifically on the stability of planetary systems and found that the orbits of his planets are long-term stable. In addition, his work places significant constraints on the presence of additional unknown Earth-sized planets in the system, which could destabilize their orbits.

in the title A temperate Earth-sized planet tidally heated past an M6 star published in a magazine nature, The researchers explain how they detected and studied the new planet. LP 791-18 d was found orbiting a small red dwarf star about 90 light-years away in the southern constellation Crater. The researchers estimate that the newly discovered planet is only slightly larger and more massive than Earth. There are two other previously known planets in the system, called LP 791-18 b and c. Each time planets c and d pass each other in orbit, the larger planet c exerts a gravitational pull on planet d. This continuously deformed the planet d and created internal friction, which greatly heated the planet’s interior and created volcanism on its surface.

The study also noted that LP 791-18 d is tidally locked, meaning that one side of it is always facing its star, while the other is in constant darkness. Tidal locking, combined with suspected substantial volcanic activity on Earth, would allow LP 791-18 d to maintain an atmosphere and allow water to condense during its night. This is important because a planet’s ability to sustain liquid water is key to its potential habitability.

Planet LP 791-18 c was recently approved for observation with NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. The new paper’s findings suggest that similar studies should be performed on LP 791-18 d to further investigate its ability to sustain life.

“Finding an Earth-sized planet with possible volcanism in the habitable zone is a huge step forward in the search for life outside our solar system,” Ali-Dib said. “The next step is to use JWST to observe the system, See what it can tell us about its atmosphere.”

About NYU Abu Dhabi

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NYU Abu Dhabi is the Middle East’s first comprehensive liberal arts and research campus operated overseas by a major American research university. NYU Abu Dhabi combines a highly selective program with majors in the sciences, engineering, social sciences, arts and humanities, and features a world-class center for advanced study. Its campuses equip students to succeed in an increasingly interdependent world and drive collaboration and progress to address humanity’s shared challenges. NYU Abu Dhabi’s top students come from some 125 countries and speak more than 100 languages. Together, NYU’s campuses in New York, Abu Dhabi and Shanghai form the backbone of a unique global university, offering faculty and students the opportunity to experience different learning environments and Opportunities to immerse yourself in other cultures on six continents.

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