Discovery of Exoplanets around Barnard's Star

In October 2024, scientists announced the discovery of the first confirmed planet orbiting Barnard's star, along with strong hints of three additional planets, igniting excitement in the search for potentially habitable worlds.

Key Points:

Barnard's Star Characteristics: A red dwarf star located about 6 light years from Earth, it is the closest single star to our solar system and much smaller and less luminous than the Sun.
Confirmed Planet - Barnard b: This rocky exoplanet has a mass approximately 40% that of Earth and a diameter about three-quarters that of Earth, with a surface temperature around 275°F (125°C). It completes an orbit around its star in just three Earth days.
Potentially Habitable Planets: While Barnard b is too hot for life, researchers have identified "strong hints" of three additional, smaller rocky planets, potentially situated in the habitable zone where liquid water could exist.
Detection Methodology: The exoplanets were detected using the ESPRESSO instrument on the Very Large Telescope in Chile, focusing on low-mass rocky planets around red dwarfs, which are common in the Milky Way galaxy.
Unique Multi-Planet System: If confirmed, Barnard's star would be the only known star with a multi-planet system entirely composed of planets smaller than Earth.
Research Significance: The proximity of Barnard's star makes its exoplanets easier to study, providing insights into the conditions for habitability beyond our solar system.