Scientists think they’ve spotted another planet orbiting a nearby star

[Mike Wehner]

• Alpha Centauri is the nearest star system to Earth, and that makes it a prime target for study as well as potential interstellar missions in the future.
• Scientists believe they've spotted a never-before-seen planet orbiting the triple star system.
• The planet appears to be orbiting Alpha Centauri A, which is a star a lot like our own Sun, though the conditions on the would-be planet are unknowable at this time.

In the hunt for life outside of Earth, the most obvious places to search of those that are nearest to us. In terms of interstellar exploration, the nearest star system to Earth is Alpha Centauri, a collection of two bright stars and one dim star, and at least a couple of planets. The conditions on the worlds of Alpha Centauri are largely unknown, but new observations reveal that there might be another planet orbiting one of the stars, and that's big news.

As The Guardian reports, researchers have spotted something in surveys of Alpha Centauri A — one of the two Sun-like stars in the system — that looks a whole lot like a planet. At a distance of just over 4 light-years from Earth, the system is right next door, but spotting something as tiny as a planet is still a major challenge. Put simply, the astronomers aren't sure it's a planet... but it could be.

Today's Top Deal





Amazon shoppers can't stop raving about these $20 sneakers


Price: $19.99
Buy Now

Continue reading...

Today's Top Deals

1. Huge half-gallon Purell pump bottles are discounted at Amazon
2. This 120-inch home theater projector screen with 5,800 5-star ratings is $20 at Amazon
3. Amazon shoppers can’t stop raving about these $20 sneakers

Trending Right Now:

1. Biden is giving many Americans a lot more than $1,400 stimulus checks
2. Multi-state salad dressing recall issued because of a bizarre contaminant
3. $1,400 stimulus checks are coming, but what about a minimum wage hike?

Scientists think they’ve spotted another planet orbiting a nearby star originally appeared on BGR.com on Tue, 16 Feb 2021 at 19:09:31 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Via BRG - Boy Genius Report