GLIESE 12 B (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: Astronomers have discovered a potentially habitable exoplanet, Gliese 12 b, located 40 light-years away in the constellation Pisces.

Gliese 12 b

• About: Gliese 12 b offers a prime opportunity to investigate whether Earth-sized planets orbiting cool stars can maintain their atmospheres, a pivotal inquiry in our quest to understand habitability beyond our solar system.
• Size and Temperature: Slightly smaller than Earth and akin in size to Venus, Gliese 12 b maintains an estimated surface temperature of 42°C (107°F), warmer than Earth's average yet cooler than many other exoplanets.
• Host Star Characteristics: Orbiting a host star just 27% the size of our Sun, with a surface temperature around 60% of our star's, Gliese 12 b resides in a unique stellar environment.
• Proximity to Host Star: Despite its size, Gliese 12 b orbits its star at only 7% of the Earth-Sun distance, receiving 1.6 times more energy than Earth and approximately 85% of what Venus experiences.
• Impact of Solar Radiation on Temperature: The close proximity to its star means Gliese 12 b's surface temperature is significantly influenced by its atmosphere, leading to a higher estimated surface temperature compared to Earth's.