Astronomers have confirmed the existence of a second exoplanet, designated GJ 536 c, orbiting the nearby M-dwarf star GJ 536. This novel and important finding is based on radial velocity measurements. It continues stoking the public’s increasing fascination with a star system roughly 34 light years from Earth. GJ 536 c now becomes the second exoplanet to be a member of its system. That exoplanet, already known, passes in front of the star every 8.7 days.
GJ 536 c has a relatively short orbital period of 32.76 days, orbiting at a distance of only 0.16 AU. This makes it a super-Earth, with a minimum mass of at least 5.89 times that of our planet. Its equilibrium temperature is 290.5 K, indicating conditions that may be conducive to maintaining an atmosphere and therefore the potential for habitability. This new exoplanet receives somewhat less insolation than Venus, which raises some really interesting questions about its climatic conditions and possible habitability.
Characteristics of GJ 536 c
The recent discovery of GJ 536 c[1] unlocks an exciting perspective on those worlds and helps improve the understanding of its physical properties. With a minimum mass of at least 5.89 Earth masses, this planet is considered a super-Earth. Super-Earths are planets larger than Earth yet smaller than gaseous Neptune which falls into a different class of planets called gas giants. These planets typically have striking geological and atmospheric features that are radically different from Earth.
GJ 536 c orbits its host star at a very tight orbit at only 0.16 AU. Because of this, a year on this new world is just shy of 32.76 days long. Because GJ 536 c orbits its star so quickly, the planet resides in its star’s habitable zone. Earth actually gets a bit less sunlight than our next door neighbor, Venus. The equilibrium temperature of around 290.5 K suggests some intriguing potential here. If this planet has an atmosphere, its conditions may be quite mild, and possibly even conducive to life!
The GJ 536 Star System
The GJ 536 system is rapidly gaining prominence among astronomers, thanks to the system’s two known exoplanets. Astronomers recently found the first planet of this old system. It orbits GJ 536 every 8.7 days and has a minimum mass of at least 6.37 times that of Earth. The existence of such two super-Earths so close together in this relatively small system raises fascinating questions about how they might’ve formed and evolved.
GJ 536 proper is an M-dwarf star, a smaller class of stars that are cooler and less luminous than their larger counterparts. With an effective temperature of 3,641 K, this star provides quite a stimulating environment for the formation of planets. Its metallicity level of −0.08 dex only increases the singularity of this habitat. On top of this, the star itself rotates relatively slowly, fully rotating every 43.63 days, significantly affecting the dynamics of its planetary system.
Implications for Future Research
The discovery of GJ 536 c opens fascinating prospects for future astronomical studies, especially in the atmospheric characterization. Its reflected light allows scientists to study the planet’s atmosphere in unprecedented detail. Such an exploration helps to identify which chemical compositions and climatic conditions are most promising.
Lying only 18 parsecs away from Earth, the GJ 536 system is well positioned for ongoing science investigations. Advanced telescopes and observational techniques will allow detailed study of the object. Understanding the dynamics between GJ 536 c and its neighboring exoplanet will provide valuable insights into the nature of super-Earths and their formation mechanisms.