距地不到二十光年的“超级地球”发现 为寻找外星生命带来新希望

Core Insights - An international team, including researchers from Pennsylvania State University, has discovered a new exoplanet named GJ 251 c, located less than 20 light-years from Earth, which is classified as a "super-Earth" and lies within the habitable zone of its star, raising hopes for the search for extraterrestrial life [1][2] Group 1 - GJ 251 c orbits a red dwarf star named GJ 251, situated 18.2 light-years away, and has a mass nearly four times that of Earth, suggesting it is likely a rocky planet [1] - The discovery was made possible through 20 years of observational data, focusing on the star's minute "wobble" caused by the gravitational influence of the planet [1] - Another planet, GJ 251 b, was previously discovered in 2020, which has an orbital period of 14 days around the same star [1] Group 2 - The confirmation process for GJ 251 c was complex due to noise from the star's surface activity, requiring advanced data modeling and signal analysis techniques to isolate the planetary signal [2] - Direct imaging of GJ 251 c is currently not possible, but future ground-based telescopes and planned giant space telescopes are expected to analyze its atmosphere for signs of life [2]