Research led by the University of Chicago and the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) has shown the existence of exoplanets with water and rock around type M dwarf stars, […]
M-dwarf
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release
Large Interferometer For Exoplanets (LIFE): VIII. Detecting Rocky Exoplanets In The Habitable Zones Of Sun-like Stars
While previous studies have shown a strong preference for a future mid-infrared nulling interferometer space mission to detect habitable zone planets around M-dwarfs, we here focus on a more conservative […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Press Release, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
A Day At The Beach For Life On Other Worlds
New simulations show that truly Earth-like exoplanets with oceans and continents, and beaches along the boundaries, may be much more common around red dwarfs than previously expected.
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Impact events, Press Release
Reduced Late Bombardment On Rocky Exoplanets Around M-dwarfs
Ocean-vaporizing impacts of chemically reduced planetesimals onto the early Earth have been suggested to catalyse atmospheric production of reduced nitrogen compounds and trigger prebiotic synthesis despite an oxidized lithosphere.
Posted inAstrogeology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Water Worlds Are More Common Than We Thought
Water is the one thing all life on Earth needs, and the cycle of rain to river to ocean to rain is an essential part of what keeps our planet’s […]
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Press Release
Two Temperate Super-Earths Transiting A Nearby Late-type M Dwarf
In the age of JWST, temperate terrestrial exoplanets transiting nearby late-type M dwarfs provide unique opportunities for characterising their atmospheres, as well as searching for biosignature gases. We report here […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Press Release
Life On Exoplanets In The Habitable Zone Of M-Dwarfs?
Exoplanets orbiting in the habitable zone around M-dwarf stars have been prime targets in the search for life due to the long lifetimes of the host star, the prominence of […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Press Release
Assessing TESS's Yield of Rocky Planets Around Nearby M Dwarfs
Terrestrial planets are easier to detect around M dwarfs than other types of stars, making them promising for next-generation atmospheric characterization studies. The TESS mission has greatly increased the number […]
Posted inBarnard's Star, Habitable Zones, Press Release
Assessing The Habitability of Planets Around Old Red Dwarfs
Planets orbiting close to the most abundant and longest-lasting stars in our Milky Way may be less hospitable to life than previously thought.
Posted inHabitable Zones, Press Release
The High-Energy Radiation Environment Around a 10 Gyr M Dwarf: Habitable at Last?
High levels of X-ray and UV activity on young M dwarfs may drive rapid atmospheric escape on temperate, terrestrial planets orbiting within the liquid water habitable zone. However, secondary atmospheres […]