Planets Gliese 581B,C and D
Extrasolar Planets Recently Discovered by Astronomers
Astronomers recently have discovered several planets orbiting the star Gliese 581in the constellation Libra. This article will discuss what's currently known.
The star Gleise 581 is a dim red dwarf star located a little over twenty light years away. It is located in the northeastern part of the constellation Libra. In the year 2005, French and Swiss scientists discovered what seemed to be a planet orbiting near its sun. In 2007 Swiss scientists discovered two more planets in that system that have the potential to be Earth-like. There are over one hundred seventy known extrasolar planets today.
Discovery of Gliese B
In 2005 astronomers in Europe discovered a planet, orbiting within within close proximity of its dwarf star. They calculated that it had 17 times the mass of earth, close to the weight of Neptune. This planet was labeled Gliese B. Scientists discovered it when they noticed the "wobbling effect" the planet made on the sun during its orbit. They further calculated that a complete orbit takes 5.4 days and is only six million kilometers away from the sun. Due to its close proximity to the weak dwarf sun, scientists speculate that the surface temperatures reach to about 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Of all the extra solar planets known, Gliese B’s mass makes it one of the lightest known alien planets.
Discovery of Gliese C and D
On April 25th, 2007 Swiss astronomers discovered two more planets surrounding Gliese 581. Of the two planets discovered, the one most earth-like is named Gliese C. It has a mass of at least five times that of earth’s. It's diameter is, at minimum, one-and-a-half times bigger than earth's. It orbits its star, behind Gliese B, and takes approximately thirteen days to complete. Scientists have speculated that temperatures most likely range between 27 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit, with a high probability for the existence of water. Scientists also discovered a second planet Gliese D. This planet has a mass 7.7 times that of earth and completes an orbit within 83.6 days. Scientists feel that if a greenhouse effect is present on this planet, water may also exist here as well.
The discovery of these planets answers one question and poses another for astronomers. The question of whether planets can exist around red dwarfs has been answered. On the other hand, the necessity of water for life to exist provokes thoughts about the subject of the presence of extraterrestrial life.
The future
Discovery of future extrasolar planets will occur. Up to now only speculation as to the possibility of life is based upon current scientific principles and knowledge. Current radiodetection methodologies used by astronomers do not give them the ability to discern and observe planetary objects. The future lies in telescopes able to use spectrography to be able to detect things such as oxygen in the atmosphere.
The discovery of planets outside our solar system is exciting. Extrasolar planetary science is in its neophyte stages. Improving technology will help scientists to make new discoveries and will help to answer the many questions that still are unknown. With future discoveries around the corner, the eternal question as to whether we’re alone in the universe or not may some day get answered.
