RE: Planet Found in Habitable Zone Around Nearest Star
August 25, 2016 at 7:06 am
(This post was last modified: August 25, 2016 at 7:14 am by Anomalocaris.)
If this planet is truly aroun 1-2 earth mass, It would also be interesting to know whether this planet is truly a terrestrial planet, or an unusually small version of Neptune, or the stripped core of a gas or ice giant that migrated inwards very early in the life of the star system, or something else yet again.
But the inclination of the orbit of this planet to our line of sight is unknown. 1.3 earth mass is the lowest mass and inclination that can fit the data given inclination is unknow. The mean expected mass would be around 2 earth masses given random orbital inclination. It could well be much more massive still if the orbital inclination is closer to perpendicular than parallel to our line of sight.
The most common mass amongst exoplanets thus far identified is intermediate between earth and Neptune. So this planet might well be one of those.
But the inclination of the orbit of this planet to our line of sight is unknown. 1.3 earth mass is the lowest mass and inclination that can fit the data given inclination is unknow. The mean expected mass would be around 2 earth masses given random orbital inclination. It could well be much more massive still if the orbital inclination is closer to perpendicular than parallel to our line of sight.
The most common mass amongst exoplanets thus far identified is intermediate between earth and Neptune. So this planet might well be one of those.
