Exoplanets may resemble the Earth more than we think – Interia

Research astrophysicists from the University of Toronto suggests that planets outside our solar system may prevail far more favorable conditions than we previously thought – we read in the pages of the site PhysOrg.

Kepler-186f – graphic illustration. Fig. NASA Ames / SETI Institute / JPL-Caltech

/ NASA

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– Planet of the oceans may have potential climate much more similar to the Earth than previously thought – said Jérémy Leconte, Assistant Professor at the Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics (CITA ) at the University of Toronto and lead author of the study.

The researchers assumed that exoplanets behave differently than the Earth, ie. they are always facing the same side in the direction of its star. This means that on one hemisphere all the time there is a hot day, and on the other a very cold night.

Experiment Leconte suggests something completely different. According to the researcher – planets outside our solar system orbit their stars, and the speed of rotation around its axis makes the cycle of day and night is similar to Earth’s.

– If our calculations are correct, then there is no cold and eternal darkness shrouded the page where the water is trapped in the form of ice cover – adds Leconte.

Scientists are still waiting for their new discovery will be confirmed observations. For now, however, it can be assumed that many exoplanets may be similar to the Earth’s atmosphere – with temperatures dependent on the time of day and the distance from the poles.

This may apply to many of the exoplanets already discovered – the researchers point out.