Unveiling the Secrets of a New Earth-Sized Planet: SPECULOOS-3 b and the Role of the James Webb Space Telescope

The vast expanse of space continues to reveal its secrets, and the latest discovery has astronomers buzzing with excitement. A new Earth-sized planet, dubbed SPECULOOS-3 b, has been identified by a team of astronomers from the University of Liège, led by Michaël Gillon. This groundbreaking find is set to be further explored by the powerful James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), promising to unveil even more about this distant world.

Discovering SPECULOOS-3 b: A New Earth-Sized Planet

The discovery of SPECULOOS-3 b is part of the ambitious SPECULOOS project (Search for Planets EClipsing ULtra-cOOl Stars). Located approximately 55 light-years away from Earth, this new planet orbits an 'ultra-cool dwarf' star. This star, comparable in size to Jupiter but only half as hot as our Sun, offers a unique environment for SPECULOOS-3 b.

Unlike Earth, SPECULOOS-3 b is believed to be tidally locked. This means it doesn't rotate on its axis; instead, one side of the planet perpetually faces the star, similar to how our Moon always shows the same face to Earth. This results in a permanent day side and an eternal night side on the planet.

The Significance of Ultra-Cool Dwarf Stars

Ultra-cool dwarf stars like the one SPECULOOS-3 b orbits are fascinating objects. They are cooler and smaller than our Sun, with lifespans estimated to be over a hundred times longer—around 100 billion years. This extended lifespan suggests that these stars could offer prolonged periods for life to potentially develop on their orbiting planets.

Amaury Triaud, a Professor of Exoplanetology at the University of Birmingham, highlighted the importance of this discovery: “The discovery of SPECULOOS-3 shows our worldwide network functions well and is ready to detect yet more rocky worlds orbiting very low mass stars. While ultra-cool dwarf stars are cooler and smaller than our sun, their lifespan is over a hundred times longer – around 100 billion years – and they are expected to be the last stars still shining in the Universe.”

The Role of the James Webb Space Telescope

Now, the baton is passed to NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). With its advanced capabilities, the JWST is poised to provide crucial insights into SPECULOOS-3 b. This includes examining the planet's surface mineralogy and investigating the potential for an atmosphere.

Elsa Ducrot, a former researcher at the University of Liège and now based at Paris Observatory, emphasized the JWST's potential: "With the JWST, we could even study the mineralogy of the planet's surface."

Dr. Georgina Dransfield, a former PhD student at the University of Birmingham, added: "The small size of ultra-cool dwarfs makes it easier to detect small planets. SPECULOOS-3b is special in that its stellar and planetary properties make it an optimal target for JWST, which is capable to get information about the composition of the rocks that make its surface."

The Future of Exoplanet Research

The discovery of SPECULOOS-3 b marks a significant milestone for the SPECULOOS-North observatory. Michaël Gillon noted, "This discovery demonstrates the ability of our SPECULOOS-North observatory to detect Earth-sized exoplanets suitable for detailed study. And this is just the beginning."

The future of exoplanet research looks bright, with further advancements on the horizon. Thanks to the financial support of the Walloon Region and the University of Liège, two new telescopes, Orion and Apollo, will soon join Artemis on the Teide volcano plateau in Tenerife. These additions will accelerate the search for fascinating new planets.

Conclusion

The discovery of SPECULOOS-3 b is a testament to the relentless pursuit of knowledge by astronomers and scientists. With the James Webb Space Telescope ready to take the next step, we are on the brink of uncovering more secrets about this intriguing new world. As we continue to explore the cosmos, each new discovery brings us closer to understanding the universe and our place within it.