(ORDO NEWS) — For the first time, astronomers have observed evidence of a magnetic field on an Earth-like exoplanet.
This was possible thanks to its extremely low orbit: the planet passes so close to its star that unusual analogues of the auroras appear in its atmosphere.
The magnetic field of our planet is extremely important for life on it. It deflects streams of high-energy particles from space, protecting both the atmosphere and living organisms from this bombardment.
Therefore, the presence of a global magnetic field is considered one of the key features of any potentially habitable planet, along with a suitable size and distance from the star.
However, the magnetosphere is not visible through a telescope, and it is almost impossible to determine its presence from a large distance.
It was first noticed in YZ Ceti b by an unusual set of circumstances, due to which the planet causes bright changes on its mother star.
Sebastian Pineda and Jackie Villadsen used the VLA radio telescope array to observe the red dwarf YZ Ceti, which is located 12 light years from the Sun.
At least three planets are known in his system, the sizes of which are comparable to the Earth, but the orbits are extremely close to the star, which makes them unsuitable for life.
Nevertheless, for new observations, this situation turned out to be a great success.
YZ Kita b is slightly smaller than the Earth and completes a full annual orbit in less than two days. At the same time, it passes through regions of sufficiently dense plasma rising from the star’s atmosphere.
The planet’s magnetic field causes disturbances in them, which are reflected in the dynamics of the magnetic field and the star itself.
This leads to the emergence of radio signals – they were able to register with the VLA telescopes.
Something similar happens on Earth, when solar plasma flows interact with the magnetic field of our planet in the upper layers of its atmosphere, causing the appearance of auroras.
“We actually see auroras on a star, in the form of radio waves,” said Sebastian Pineda. “If the planet had an atmosphere, they would also appear on it.”
Thus, scientists were able to demonstrate for the first time the presence of a magnetosphere around a distant planet.
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