Daily Current Affairs : 4-December-2023

An exoplanet is a celestial body located beyond our solar system, with most of them orbiting stars. However, some exoplanets, known as rogue planets, roam freely without being tethered to any star.

The Discovery Journey: HD 110067 in the Spotlight

HD 110067, a luminous star situated in the Coma Berenices constellation approximately 100 light-years away, recently captured the attention of astronomers. NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) conducted observations in 2020 and 2022, unveiling intriguing dips in the star’s brightness. Collaborative efforts with the ‘CHaracterising ExOPlanets Satellite’ (CHEOPS) confirmed the presence of six exoplanets, marked by their transits in front of the star.

Unveiling the Exoplanets: Characteristics and Significance

The newfound exoplanets exhibit radii ranging between Earth and Neptune, accompanied by low mass and density. The lower densities suggest the potential presence of large, hydrogen-rich atmospheres enveloping these distant worlds. A fascinating aspect is the synchronized resonant orbits of all six exoplanets, indicating a stable system that has likely endured for over four billion years since its formation.

TESS: Unraveling the Secrets of the Cosmos

The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), launched by NASA in 2018, plays a pivotal role in this celestial discovery. TESS focuses on detecting small planets orbiting bright host stars within our solar neighborhood. By carefully observing periodic dips in the brightness of stars, TESS unveils the presence of exoplanets, offering valuable insights into their characteristics and atmospheres.

TESS in Action: Detecting Exoplanets

TESS employs a unique method to detect exoplanets, relying on the periodic dimming of stars as planets pass in front of them along our line of sight. The magnitude of brightness reduction during these transits corresponds to the size of the planets, with larger planets causing more substantial drops in brightness. The duration of a planet’s journey across the star provides crucial information about the shape of its orbit, contributing to our understanding of the vast exoplanetary landscape.

Important Points:
  • Exoplanets Defined:
    • Planets beyond our solar system.
    • Two categories: orbiting stars and free-floating (rogue) planets.
  • Discovery of Six Exoplanets around HD 110067:
    • HD 110067 is a bright star in Coma Berenices (100 light-years away).
    • Discovered through NASA’s TESS and CHEOPS observations.
    • Six exoplanets identified by observing dips in star brightness.
  • Physical Characteristics of Discovered Exoplanets:
    • Radii between Earth and Neptune.
    • Low mass and density.
    • Possible large, hydrogen-rich atmospheres.
    • All six exoplanets exhibit resonant orbits.
  • TESS Mission Overview:
    • TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) launched by NASA in 2018.
    • Mission: Detect small planets around bright host stars for detailed characterizations.
  • TESS Detection Mechanism:
    • Utilizes periodic dips in stars’ brightness as planets transit in front of them.
    • Larger planets cause more significant drops in brightness.
    • Transit duration provides information about the planet’s orbit shape.
  • Significance of Resonant Orbits:
    • Indicates a stable planetary system.
    • Suggests the system has remained unchanged for at least four billion years.
  • Scientific Implications:
    • Deepens our understanding of exoplanetary systems.
    • Provides insights into the dynamics and characteristics of distant worlds.
    • Highlights the collaborative effort between TESS and CHEOPS in celestial discoveries.
Why In News

Six exoplanets, recently unveiled in orbit around the nearby bright star HD 110067 in the Coma Berenices constellation, have expanded our understanding of planetary systems in our cosmic neighborhood.

MCQs about Six New Exoplanets in Harmony around HD 110067

  1. What is the primary mission of NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS)?
    A. Studying comets in our solar system.
    B. Identifying small planets with bright host stars in the solar neighborhood.
    C. Observing distant galaxies outside the Milky Way.
    D. Monitoring space weather around Earth.
    Correct Answer: B. Identifying small planets with bright host stars in the solar neighborhood.
    Explanation: TESS aims to detect small planets around bright host stars in our solar neighborhood for detailed characterizations.
  2. What distinguishes rogue planets from other exoplanets?
    A. They are smaller in size.
    B. They orbit stars.
    C. They are untethered to any star.
    D. They have dense atmospheres.
    Correct Answer: C. They are untethered to any star.
    Explanation: Rogue planets are free-floating and not bound to any star, unlike most exoplanets that orbit stars.
  3. How does TESS detect exoplanets?
    A. By measuring gravitational waves.
    B. By observing periodic dips in stars’ brightness.
    C. By analyzing the color spectrum of stars.
    D. By studying the magnetic fields of stars.
    Correct Answer: B. By observing periodic dips in stars’ brightness.
    Explanation: TESS detects exoplanets by observing periodic dips in stars’ brightness as planets transit in front of them.
  4. What significance do resonant orbits of the six discovered exoplanets hold?
    A. They indicate the planets are very young.
    B. They suggest a stable planetary system.
    C. They imply the presence of large atmospheres.
    D. They reveal the planets are densely packed.
    Correct Answer: B. They suggest a stable planetary system.
    Explanation: Resonant orbits suggest a stable planetary system that has likely remained unchanged for a considerable time, possibly over four billion years.

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