In the vast cosmic expanse just 73 light-years away, scientists have uncovered a remarkable find – an exoplanet named HD 63433 d, providing a unique window into the early stages of planetary formation. This newborn exoplanet, slightly larger than Earth, orbits a star akin to our Sun and stands out as the smallest planet discovered to be less than 500 million years old.
Earth, our known abode of life, serves as the baseline for understanding habitability, and studying planets like HD 63433 d offers insights into the diverse processes involved in shaping worlds with Earth-like attributes. This exoplanet, although sharing similarities with Earth, also exhibits extreme differences, making it a fascinating object of study.
Astrophysicist Melinda Soares-Furtado of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a co-leader of the research alongside astronomer Benjamin Capistrant of the University of Florida, emphasizes the significance of HD 63433 d as a potential early Earth analog. Despite its close orbit to its star, researchers anticipate using follow-up data to explore evidence of outgassing and atmospheric loss, critical factors in understanding the evolution of terrestrial planets.
Detected during a survey employing the TESS exoplanet-hunting telescope, HD 63433 d’s characteristics make it a standout in the emerging field of exoplanet research. Its star, HD 63433, is a yellow dwarf similar in size and mass to the Sun but significantly younger, at just over 400 million years old. The exoplanet, along with two mini-Neptunes discovered in 2020, represents a youthful system with immense potential for shedding light on planetary evolution.
HD 63433 d, with a radius 1.1 times that of Earth, hints at a terrestrial composition. However, its extreme proximity to the star – completing an orbit in a mere 4.2 days – results in likely tidal locking, exposing one hemisphere to intense stellar heat. Scientists suggest that this could turn the exposed surface into a continuous sea of molten rock, resembling a colossal lava ocean with temperatures reaching 1,570 Kelvin.
While Earth never experienced such proximity to the Sun, the comparison offers valuable insights into the range of conditions during the formative years of planets. Despite the initial discoveries, many questions about HD 63433 d remain unanswered. Follow-up studies aim to unveil its mass, density, and potential atmospheric composition, providing a comprehensive understanding of this intriguing exoplanet.
Soares-Furtado expresses excitement about the proximity of this discovery, stating, “This is our solar backyard, and that’s kind of exciting. What sort of information can a star this close, with such a crowded system around it, give away? How will it help us as we move on to look for planets among the maybe 100 other similar stars in this young group it’s part of?”
HD 63433 d, with its Earth-like radius and youth, stands as a promising candidate for unraveling the mysteries of planetary formation, offering a glimpse into the dynamic processes that shape worlds beyond our celestial neighborhood. The research detailing this discovery has been published in The Astronomical Journal.
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Reference: https://www.sciencealert.com/like-an-early-earth-scientists-find-planet-drowned-in-ocean-of-lava
