Scientists have discovered a planet that will demonstrate what will happen to the Earth after the Sun increases in size
An international team of scientists has revealed a new planet. It is interesting because it will demonstrate what the Earth will become after the Sun expands.
Here's What We Know
The planet is called LP 809-9c. It was discovered in 2022. It is about 100 light years away and orbits a red dwarf. LP 809-9c is about a third the size of our planet.
LP 809-9c is only 6.4 million km from its star, while the distance from Earth to the Sun is 149 million km. Scientists speculate that LP 809-9c might have water in a liquid state.
If this assumption is confirmed, it would mean that the exoplanet is located in the habitable zone. In simple terms, it is far enough away from its star for life to occur but the temperature is not high enough for the oceans to evaporate. It is the second scenario that Venus has followed.
Scientists want to use the James Webb telescope to study LP 809-9c. With the space observatory, the researchers intend to find out whether the planet has water in liquid form and whether it could be inhabited. In addition, James Webb, studying LP 809-9c will learn what will happen to Earth when the Sun begins to expand.
Source: Oxford Academic
