Meet GI 410 b: A Puffy Sub-Neptune Exoplanet Found Orbiting a Sun-Like Star
Date: 16-apr-2025
Disclaimer: This image is provided solely for illustrative purposes and may not depict the actual individuals, events, or locations described in the article.
Astronomers have confirmed the discovery of GI 410 b, a hot, puffy sub-Neptune planet orbiting a nearby M-dwarf star just 39 light-years from Earth. The planet, officially classified as a warm sub-Neptune, was detected using precise radial velocity measurements—a technique that tracks tiny movements in a star caused by orbiting planets.
According to researchers, GI 410 b has a minimum mass of 8.4 Earth masses and completes one orbit around its host star every 6.02 days. This tight orbit places the planet at about 0.053 AU from its star, meaning it receives more than 20 times the radiation Earth receives from the Sun.
The Star: GI 410 (Gliese 410)
GI 410, also known as Gliese 410, is an M-dwarf star about half the Sun’s size and mass. Though cooler than the Sun, its close proximity to GI 410 b results in a high-energy environment, potentially contributing to the planet’s swollen or "puffy" atmospheric profile.
Discovery Method and Instruments
The planet was identified through radial velocity measurements using two high-precision spectrographs: SPIRou and SOPHIE. These instruments, installed at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope and the Observatoire de Haute-Provence respectively, allowed scientists to detect minute shifts in the star's spectrum caused by the gravitational tug of GI 410 b.
Also Read
Atmosphere and Potential for Further Study
Because of its size and temperature, GI 410 b falls into a rare category of exoplanets that are prime candidates for atmospheric analysis. Its proximity to Earth and bright host star make it a promising target for future missions, including possible follow-ups with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and ground-based observatories.
Hints of a Multi-Planet System
Intriguingly, scientists also detected weak signals that may indicate the presence of two additional planets in the GI 410 system—with estimated orbital periods of 2.99 and 18.7 days. While not yet confirmed, these candidates suggest GI 410 could host a compact planetary system worthy of further observation.
Conclusion
The discovery of GI 410 b adds to the growing diversity of known exoplanets and highlights the capabilities of modern instruments in detecting small, low-mass worlds around nearby stars. As astronomers continue to explore these systems, findings like GI 410 b help deepen our understanding of planetary formation and the potential for habitable environments beyond our solar system.
💬 Leave a Comment
📝 Recent Comments
No comments yet! Be the first one to comment.
🔄 Read More
⬅ Previous: Trump’s Mixed Relationship With Japan: Diplomacy, Trade & Rising Tensions in 2025
Date: 16-Apr-2025
President Trump’s recent tariffs on Japanese imports highlight a complex U.S.-Japan relationship marked by both strategic cooperation and economic tension.
Next: Justice B.R. Gavai to Become 52nd Chief Justice of India, Oath Scheduled for May 14 ➡
Date: 16-Apr-2025
Justice B.R. Gavai will be sworn in as the 52nd Chief Justice of India on May 14, 2025, following the retirement of CJI Sanjiv Khanna.
