For a long time, NASA has been monitoring and studying the whereabouts of a red star called TRAPPIST-1. This star is where several earth-sized planets move around in a single solar system. As SlashGear reports, the TRAPPIST-1 is estimated to be about 40 light-years away from Earth. There are about seven plants that come around this fascinating star. Scientists are amazed at the diversity of these planets. Just this week, a new study was published showing conclusions that these planets have the same appearance and density.
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About the seven planets TRAPPIST-1
The quest to find the planets around TRAPPIST-1 began in 2016. Forbes notes that it was accomplished by NASA’s Transiting Planets and Planetesimals Small Telescope or TRAPPIST. Different observations were made and recorded using the retired Spitzer Space Telescope and ground-based telescopes. For years, a scientist has been studying the exterior of these planets. It is only until recently that the density of tehse planets was studied.
TRAPPIST-1 Seven planets have the same shape, very different from those on Earth
according to NASA, the same density of these planets, although they differ in appearance, means that the same production and ratio of materials such as silicon, iron, oxygen and magnesium at these planets. Moreover, these findings also suggest that the combination of these planets differs from the EArths in that these seven planets have eight percent less density compared to the shape of the Earth. Therefore, they may not have the same ratio and nature of materials.
Prior to its decommissioning mission in January 2020, Spitzer has been moving around the system for more than 1000 hours. NASA has used most of its devices using the Hubble and Kepler to study the planetary system. As results have been examined, they have concluded that there is very little difference in the seven TRAPPIST-1 planets, which is as small as three percent.
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The difference between these planets and the Earth is about eight percent, according to an important statement on planetary scale. TRAPPIST-1 planets may have lower iron densities, with the study showing a density of about 21 percent compared to 32 percent on Earth. The study also states that the planets may not contain solid iron ore. NASA acknowledges that the response could be a combination of the two conditions, involving some oxidized iron.
On a planetary scale, the difference is huge compared to planet Earth. The eight percent difference means that the TRAPPIST-1 planets may have a lower iron density. As the study found, the iron density could be around 21 percent compared to the Earth’s density. In addition, the study also finds that the planets may have hardened iron cones. They also suggest that the smay plante contains some oxidized iron.
This discovery of difference is a major leap for astronomy, as it could mean that seven other planets could be more inhabited or more dangerous than Earth. More research is needed into the combination of these planets. So far, experts are starting with what they have to form a hypothesis on these conclusions.
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This article is by Techtimes
Written by Nikki D.
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