BARNARD’S STAR B: ‘Super-Earth’ found orbiting Sun’s nearest single star

Posted on : 14 Jan 2020

• Astronomers have discovered a frozen planet with a mass over three times that of the Earth, orbiting the closest solitary star to the Sun.
• According to researchers from Queen Mary University of London, the potentially rocky planet, known as Barnard’s star b, is a ‘super-Earth’ and orbits around its host star once every 233 days.
• The planet is a habitable zone in which liquid water, and possibly life, could exist.
• It lies at a distant region from the star known as the ‘snow line’.
• Its surface temperature is estimated to be around -170°C but at the same time researchers have told that if the planet has a substantial atmosphere the temperature could be higher and conditions potentially more hospitable.
• Barnard's Star is a very-low-mass red dwarf about 6 light-years away from Earth in the constellation of Ophiuchus.
• It is the fourth nearest known individual star to the Sun and the closest star in the Northern Celestial Hemisphere.

Article Related Questions

1. Consider the following statements regarding BARNARD’S STAR B
   1.It is a frozen planet.
   2.The planet is not a habitable zone as it does not support water or life.
   Which of the following statement is/are correct?

1.1 only

2.2 only

3.Both 1 and 2

4.Neither 1 nor 2

Right Ans : 1 only

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