Scientists rejoice: after a year of research, a new planet has been discovered

After a year of meticulous analysis, a previously unknown planet, named HD 20794 d, has been discovered. The planet is six times more massive than Earth and orbits a Sun-like star just 20 light-years away. Scientists are calling the discovery one of the most exciting advances in exoplanet research in recent years .

New planet in the habitable zone

Scientists  have discovered that HD 20794 d's position falls within the system's habitable zone - a region where conditions could allow liquid water to exist, which is an important factor for supporting life.

"Due to its location in the habitable zone and its relatively close distance from Earth, this planet could become an important element in future missions aimed at studying the atmospheres of exoplanets and searching for biosignatures indicating possible life," said Dr. Michael Cretignier, a scientist and discoverer at the University of Oxford (USA).

Confirmation of the existence of the planet

The first signs of the planet appeared in 2022, when M. Cretignier analyzed archival data from the HARPS (High Accuracy Radial Velocity Planet Searcher) spectrograph located at the La Silla Observatory in Chile. 

Cretignier observed periodic changes in the light spectrum of the host star, indicating the gravitational influence of a planet. However, the signal was weak, and it remained unclear whether it was caused by a real planet, stellar activity, or perhaps an instrument error.

To confirm the planet's existence, scientists examined more than 20 years of precise measurement data from ESPRESSO, a high-precision instrument also located in Chile. 

HARPS and ESPRESSO are among the most advanced instruments in the world, capable of detecting subtle changes in starlight and distinguishing planetary signals from background noise.

"We have been working on data analysis for years, gradually eliminating all possible sources of contamination," commented M. Cretignier. 

By combining the results from the two instruments, the discovery of HD 20794 d was finally confirmed.

Gives hope

According to M. Cretinger, the small proximity of this planet gives hope that it will be possible to photograph it during space missions in the future.

Although the planet is in the habitable zone, it is too early to say whether life can exist there. 

Unlike most planets, HD 20794's orbit is not circular but elliptical. Its distance from its star varies significantly, causing the planet to move from the outer edge of the habitable zone to the inner one over the course of its year.

In any case, HD 20794 will become an invaluable testbed for future space missions aimed at detecting signs of life beyond our solar system.