Researchers looking over data from the European Souther Observatory’s HARPS planet-hunting instrument have likely found at least three more super-Earth exoplanets orbiting the orange-tined dwarf star HD 40307, which is located a cool 43 light-years away in the constellation Pictor. Previously, three had been found in orbit. This comes shortly after the news that an Earth-like planet is orbiting Alpha Centuri B.
HARPS works by finding a slight “wobble” in a sun caused by the gravitational pull of orbiting planets. The three new planets, designed as e, f and g, were found by Mikko Tuomi, leader of the UK’s University of Hertfordshire Centre for Astrophysics Research. After looking at the data, Tumoi and company believe that the super-Earth planet g is likely within a goldilocks zone; a liquid water habitable zone.
Researchers also believe the planet, which has an orbital period of 200 days, isn’t tidally-locked; that is, one side subjected constant heat and light, while the other exists in a cold and dark state.
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