Characterizing the bulk compositions of transiting exoplanets within the M dwarf radius valley (i.e. keystone planets) offers a unique means to establish whether the radius valley emerges from an atmospheric […]
M-dwarf
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Press Release, TRAPPIST-1
A Discovery That Could Dramatically Narrow The Search For Extraterrestrial Life
An Earth-like planet orbiting an M dwarf — the most common type of star in the universe — appears to have no atmosphere at all. This discovery could cause a […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Press Release, Space Weather & Heliophysics, TRAPPIST-1
3D Modelling Of The Impact Of Stellar Activity On Tidally Locked Terrestrial Exoplanets: Atmospheric Composition And Habitability
Stellar flares present challenges to the potential habitability of terrestrial planets orbiting M dwarf stars through inducing changes in the atmospheric composition and irradiating the planet’s surface in large amounts […]
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release
Ground-based Optical Transmission Spectroscopy of the Nearby Terrestrial Exoplanet LTT 1445Ab
Nearby M dwarf systems currently offer the most favorable opportunities for spectroscopic investigations of terrestrial exoplanet atmospheres.
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release
A Transmission Spectrum Of The Sub-Earth Planet L98-59~b In 1.1-1.7 μm
With the increasing number of planets discovered by TESS, the atmospheric characterization of small exoplanets is accelerating. L98-59 is a M-dwarf hosting a multi-planet system, and so far, four small […]
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Press Release
Planetary System Around LTT 1445A Unveiled By ESPRESSO: Multiple Planets In A Triple M-dwarf System
We present radial velocity follow-up obtained with ESPRESSO of the M-type star LTT 1445A (TOI-455), for which a transiting planet b with an orbital period of~5.4 days was detected by […]
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Press Release, Water/Hycean Worlds & Oceanography
Water Worlds Could Be Common
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, […]
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.