Brief
Study finds Earth‑sized planet could orbit habitable zone of nearby binary star
Simulations suggest a planet the size of Earth could stay in a stable orbit around the primary star of the 70 Ophiuchi binary system, keeping liquid water.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Scientists have modelled an Earth‑mass planet in the nearby binary star system 70 Ophiuchi and concluded that stable, water‑supporting orbits are possible around the primary star, according to a study published in the Astrophysical Journal.
The system, located roughly 70 light‑years from Earth, consists of two stars slightly smaller and cooler than the Sun that orbit each other. Researchers placed a virtual Earth‑sized planet at various distances from the larger star and ran gravitational simulations that included interactions with the companion star and other bodies.
Astrophysicist Stephen Kane, a co‑author, said the findings expand the range of environments where life‑supporting worlds might exist. "This is also one of the nearest star systems to us. It’s been known since antiquity, but what hasn’t been known nearly as well is precisely how the two stars orbit each other," he told Independent.
Study author Skylar D’Angiolillo explained that an unstable orbit would become increasingly elongated until the planet is ejected from the system. By repeating the simulation at different locations, the team identified zones where an Earth‑sized planet could remain stable and retain liquid water on its surface.
"When people think about finding another Earth, they often picture something that looks like our own solar system. But if we’ve learned anything from the past few decades of exoplanet discoveries, it’s that other planetary systems can look nothing like ours," Kane added.
Key facts
- Researchers simulated an Earth‑mass planet in the 70 Ophiuchi binary system and found stable orbits are possible in the primary star's habitable zone. (independent.co.uk)
- The 70 Ophiuchi system is about 70 light‑years from Earth and contains two stars slightly smaller and cooler than the Sun. (independent.co.uk)
- Stephen Kane and Skylar D’Angiolillo are co‑authors of the study published in the Astrophysical Journal. (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “Star Wars-like planet of Earth’s size can support life, study finds”
