2024-04-05 09:26:52
The newly discovered super-Earth, known as LHS 3844b, is also known as Kua’qua, which translates to “butterfly” in the Bribri language.
This is reported by IFLScience.
Its parent star, around which this planetary object revolves, was named Batsu. It is noted that the exoplanet completes a full revolution around its star in less than 12 hours and is turned to the star with only one side. Tidal locking is a common phenomenon in space.
One example of its manifestation is our Moon, which always faces the Earth with the same face. This occurs because the satellite’s rotation around its axis is synchronized with its rotation around the Earth. Unlike the Moon, where the far side periodically receives sunlight, one hemisphere of the planet Kua’qua is always in a state of daylight, while the other remains in constant darkness.
However, there are a number of nuances to this phenomenon that remain unclear, including issues related to surface heating of the planet. The planet, being in such a close orbit around its star, would have to overheat greatly. However, simulations show that the observed super-Earth remains relatively cool.
Scientists speculate that the key to Kua’qua’s relatively low temperature lies in its orbit. If the planet were to move in an orbit similar to that of Mercury, with a resonance of 3:2 – making every two revolutions around its star, it would make three revolutions around its axis. In this case, Kua’qua would be much hotter.
According to scientists, the planet, which is 2.3 times larger than Earth, may be devoid of an atmosphere. Additionally, some observations suggest the presence of another object nearby, perhaps another planet, that could influence Kua’qua’s heating.
Cursor previously wrote that astronomers have discovered a spectacular planetary system that includes a planet comparable in size to Jupiter orbiting a tiny star only four times the size of the solar system’s gas giant.
2024-04-05 09:26:52