Astronomers Have Discovered the Most Earth-like Planet Yet, Located Near the Center of the Milky Way.
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Many planets will be discovered using microlensing techniques |
This newly discovered planet is rocky and has a temperature of about minus 200 degrees Celsius, located approximately three times the distance from its star as Earth is from the Sun.
Astronomers identified this planet using a technique known as microlensing, which involves the light of a distant star being bent by the gravitational field of a closer, less massive star.
Professor Michael Bode from John Moores University in Liverpool stated that this discovery represents another significant step in the quest to find life on other planets.
He said: “What we aim to achieve within the framework of this project is to find Earth-like planets that share an orbit with other stars.”
“This is an important step in that direction, and the microlensing technique we are utilizing is currently the only way for humanity to detect such planets from Earth.”
“The planet we have discovered is not one where we could find life, as its temperatures are far too cold.”
This planet is designated as OGLE-2005-BLG-390Lb, taking approximately ten years to complete one orbit around its host star, a small, cooler red dwarf similar to the Sun.
The microlensing technique used to discover this planet was first conceived by scientist Albert Einstein in 1912.
This discovery is the result of a collaboration among three teams utilizing microlensing techniques, known as PLANET/RoboNet, OGLE, and MOA, which bring together scientists from 12 countries.
So far, around 160 exoplanets have been discovered outside our solar system; however, only three have been located using microlensing techniques.
Scientists are striving to discover more new worlds using microlensing and are also working on improving this technique.
