时间:2025-04-26 13:17:47 来源:网络整理编辑:百科
TRAPPIST-1, a star that plays host to at least seven Earth-sized planets only 40 light-years away, i
TRAPPIST-1, a star that plays host to at least seven Earth-sized planets only 40 light-years away, is the cool kid on the space block these days.
Scientists have been gathering all the information they can about the system, which plays host to more possibly habitable, Earth-sized worlds than ever seen before. Now, NASA is making all of that data freely available online for professional and amateur astronomers.
SEE ALSO:Seven Earth-sized planets orbit an alien star only 40 light-years awayTweet may have been deleted
The space agency spent 74 days observing TRAPPIST-1, which is far smaller and cooler than the sun, with the Kepler Space Telescope as part of its K2 mission.
"Scientists and enthusiasts around the world are invested in learning everything they can about these Earth-size worlds," Geert Barentsen, a K2 research scientist, said in a statement.
"Providing the K2 raw data as quickly as possible was a priority to give investigators an early look so they could best define their follow-up research plans. We're thrilled that this will also allow the public to witness the process of discovery."
The new, uncalibrated data includes dips in the light of the cool, small TRAPPIST-1 star. Those dips might be the signals of planets passing between their star and Earth, allowing researchers to learn more about those worlds.
Tweet may have been deleted
Shortly after the discovery of TRAPPIST-1 and three of its planets was first announced in May 2016, scientists started to figure out a way to turn Kepler toward the system for observation.
NASA expects to release processed K2 data by the end of May.
Scientists think it's possible ultracool dwarf stars like TRAPPIST-1 shoot off more flares than sunlike stars early in their lives, but those cooler objects calm down as they age. Those flares could dampen chances for life on worlds orbiting ultracool dwarfs.
Still, if atmospheres on the Earth-sized worlds were able to develop, it's possible that some of the planets could support life.
Researchers think that TRAPPIST-1 has been around for at least 500 million years, long enough for organisms to develop.
Scientists will continue pointing space-based and ground-based telescopes at these worlds and any others that might be lurking in the system to try to figure out if life is actually possible on these planets.
Olympic security asks female Iranian fan to drop protest sign2025-04-26 13:04
3 simple ways to avoid making big mistakes as a teen using social media2025-04-26 12:47
Social media companies struggle with the financials of internet stardom2025-04-26 12:30
Staaker may be the smartest extreme sports drone yet2025-04-26 12:12
Nate Parker is finally thinking about the woman who accused him of rape2025-04-26 12:07
Stephen Hawking has a stark warning for what Brexit could mean for the human species2025-04-26 12:03
Justin Timberlake gives inspirational speech stressing diversity, honoring Muhammad Ali2025-04-26 11:25
How to watch the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 'Unpacked' livestream2025-04-26 11:14
Dressage horse dancing to 'Smooth' by Santana wins gold for chillest horse2025-04-26 10:50
Dancing kakapo GIF takes over the Imgur front page; wins all the hearts2025-04-26 10:43
Balloon fanatic Tim Kaine is also, of course, very good at harmonica2025-04-26 12:44
Serbian artist's drawings aren't 3D, but they sure do look like it2025-04-26 12:31
These teeny tiny tiger cubs will make your heart swell with untamed joy2025-04-26 12:14
Pope Francis to young people: Don't be a video game2025-04-26 11:57
Fiji wins first2025-04-26 11:42
Staaker may be the smartest extreme sports drone yet2025-04-26 11:41
This soccer club shut down homophobia with 1 resounding word2025-04-26 11:37
How to stay calm while playing phone tag with a recruiter2025-04-26 11:22
Richard Branson 'thought he was going to die' in bike accident2025-04-26 11:18
'The Night Of' destroys alliances and tries to build more2025-04-26 10:52