Spanish researchers discover a new planet that may harbor life

Researchers from the University of Oviedo in Asturias, together with the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands, have discovered a new exoplanet that could harbor life within it.

The new planet discovered by the Spanish researchers from the University of Oviedo has been classified in the category of “super-Earth“. It is therefore an exoplanet that may harbor life within it, with a mass 1 to 10 times greater than that of the Earth.

Its name is K2-286, a name given by the Kepler Space Telescope. The study of its body was carried out by the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands, using instruments such as OSIRIS and HARPS-N, which are available and installed at the Gran Telescopio Canarias, and the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo, both located at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory on La Palma.

The radius of K2-286 is 2.1 times that of the Earth, which gives us an idea of its colossal dimensions. Its orbital period around its star lasts 27.36 days, and its average temperature is around 60 degrees Celsius, that is, temperatures suitable for harboring life, similar to those found in the Sahara Desert, not to mention elsewhere.

Furthermore, at these temperatures the existence of liquid water, one of the indispensable elements for life, is perfectly feasible.

Another of the signs that allow us to infer the possible existence of life on K2-286 is its distance from its star, lying within the habitable zone, that is, neither too far nor too close.

It is great news to see that, although they are merely speculations, Spain is contributing its grain of sand to the field of space research. In the end, all science is pure speculation until it is proven, but it could not exist without this critical step.

It seems that every day that passes we realize more not only of the vastness of the cosmos, but also of the infinite possibilities for the existence not only of life, but also of incredible and fascinating planets, stars and other wonders of the infinite universe.

Incredible mysteries and discoveries await us, many of which we may witness during the course of this century.