Astronomy: TRAPPIST-1 System

TRAPPIST-1 System

TRAPPIST-1 also known as 2MASS J23062928−0502285 or SPECULOOS-1, is a red dwarf star with seven known planets. It lies in the constellation Aquarius approximately 40.66 light-years away from Earth.

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Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)

TRAPPIST-1 System TRAPPIST-1 also known as 2MASS J23062928−0502285 or SPECULOOS-1, is a red dwarf star with seven known planets. It lies in the constellation Aquarius approximately 40.66 light-years away from Earth. An ultra-cool dwarf, it has a surface temperature of about 2,566 K (2,290 °C; 4,160 °F).

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Why TRAPPIST-1 System matters: These foundational ideas and techniques are the tools astronomers use to measure, classify, and understand everything from nearby planets to the most distant galaxies. Its radius is slightly larger than Jupiter's and it has a mass of about 9% of the Sun. It is estimated to be 7.6 billion years old, making it older than the Solar System. The discovery of the star was first published in 2000. Observations in 2016 from TRAPPIST–South (Transiting Planets and Planetesimals Small Telescope project) at La Silla Observatory in Chile and other telescopes led to the discovery of two terrestrial planets in orbit around TRAPPIST-1. In 2017, further analysis of the original observations identified five more terrestrial planets. The seven planets take between 1.5 and 19 days to orbit the star in circular orbits. They are all likely tidally locked to TRAPPIST-1, and it is believed that each planet is in permanent day on one side and permanent night on the other. Their masses are comparable to that of Earth and they all lie in the same plane; seen from Earth, they pass in front of the star. This placement allowed the planets to be detected: when they pass in front of the star, its apparent magnitude dims. Up to four of the planets—designated d, e, f and g—orbit at distances where temperatures are likely suitable for the existence of liquid water, and are thus potentially hospitable to life. There is no evidence of an atmosphere on any of the planets, and observations of TRAPPIST-1b have in particular ruled out the existence of an atmosphere. It is unclear whether radiation emissions from TRAPPIST-1 would allow for such atmospheres. The planets have low densities; they may consist of large amounts of volatile material. Due to the possibility of several of the planets being habitable, the system has drawn interest from researchers and has appeared in popular culture.

Commentary

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Deep dive: TRAPPIST-1 System It is estimated to be 7.6 billion years old, making it older than the Solar System. The discovery of the star was first published in 2000. Observations in 2016 from TRAPPIST–South (Transiting Planets and Planetesimals Small Telescope project) at La Silla Observatory in Chile and other telescopes led to the discovery of two terrestrial planets in orbit around TRAPPIST-1. In 2017, further analysis of the original observations identified five more terrestrial planets. The seven planets take between 1.5 and 19 days to orbit the star in circular orbits. They are all likely tidally locked to TRAPPIST-1, and it is believed that each planet is in permanent day on one side and permanent night on the other. Their masses are comparable to that of Earth and they all lie in the same plane; seen from Earth, they pass in front of the star. This placement allowed the planets to be detected: when they pass in front of the star, its apparent magnitude dims. Up to four of the planets—designated d, e, f and g—orbit at distances where temperatures are likely suitable for the existence of liquid water, and are thus potentially hospitable to life. There is no evidence of an atmosphere on any of the planets, and observations of TRAPPIST-1b have in particular ruled out the existence of an atmosphere. It is unclear whether radiation emissions from TRAPPIST-1 would allow for such atmospheres. The planets have low densities; they may consist of large amounts of volatile material. Due to the possibility of several of the planets being habitable, the system has drawn interest from researchers and has appeared in popular culture. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TRAPPIST-1 (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)