
New planet discovered 35 light years away
The team utilised NASA's TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) space telescope to identify the planet, named L 98-59 f. It is one of five planets orbiting a red dwarf star in the L 98-59 system.
Located in the habitable zone
L 98-59 f lies within the star's habitable zone, the region where liquid water could potentially exist. It receives a similar amount of stellar energy as Earth does from the Sun, making it a candidate for possible habitability.
A compact and diverse planetary system
The L 98-59 system was previously believed to host only four planets. However, after extensive analysis of data from both space- and ground-based telescopes, the fifth planet was identified.
Detected through stellar motion
Unlike the other planets in the system, L 98-59 f does not transit between its star and Earth, making it invisible to standard transit detection methods. Instead, scientists detected it by observing subtle shifts in the motion of its host star — a method known as the radial velocity technique.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Broadcast Pro
15 hours ago
- Broadcast Pro
Senegal becomes 56th nation to join Artemis Accords
Senegal is the 56th country to sign the Artemis Accords, which establish a practical set of principles to guide space exploration cooperation among nations participating in NASAs Artemis programme. Senegal has joined the Artemis Accords, becoming the 56th nation to endorse the global framework for peaceful and transparent space exploration. The signing took place during a ceremony hosted by NASA at its headquarters in Washington. Maram Kairé, Director General of the Senegalese Agency for Space Studies (ASES), signed the accords on behalf of Senegal, with participation from Jonathan Pratt, senior bureau official for African Affairs at the US Department of State, and Abdoul Wahab Haidara, Senegals ambassador to the United States. The event follows a recent Washington meeting between Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and former US President Donald Trump, as part of broader discussions on US-Africa engagement. Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy said: 'Following a meeting between Senegal President Faye and President Trump, today, NASA built upon the strong relations between our two nations as the Senegalese Agency for Space Studies signed the Artemis Accords. With Senegal as the 56th signatory, I am proud to further President Trumps strong legacy of global cooperation in space.' 'Senegals adherence to the Artemis Accords reflects our commitment to a multilateral, responsible, and transparent approach to space,' added Kairé. 'This signature marks a meaningful step in our space diplomacy and in our ambition to contribute to the peaceful exploration of outer space.' Senegal's astronomers have previously collaborated with NASA on scientific missions, including a 2021 campaign to observe asteroid Orus from the ground. During the event, astronomers used telescopes to measure the asteroids dimensions as it passed in front of a star. This data will support NASAs Lucy mission, which will fly by Orus in 2028 as part of its exploration of Jupiters Trojan asteroids. The Artemis Accords, established in 2020 by the United States and seven founding partners, set forth guiding principles for civil space exploration. These include commitments to peaceful use, transparency, international cooperation, scientific data sharing, non-interference and the preservation of space heritage. The accords also encourage development of best practices for sustainable space activity. With growing global interest in lunar and deep space missions, NASA anticipates that more countries will join the Artemis Accords, reinforcing the shared goal of a secure, cooperative and beneficial space environment for all humanity.


Khaleej Times
a day ago
- Khaleej Times
Trump job cuts: US space agency Nasa to lose nearly 4,000 employees, 20% of workforce
The US space agency National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) will lose about 3,900 employees under Donald Trump's sweeping effort to trim the federal workforce — at the same time as the president prioritises plans for crewed missions to the Moon and Mars. In an emailed statement, Nasa said around 3,000 employees took part in the second round of its deferred resignation programme, which closed late Friday. Combined with the 870 who joined the first round and regular staff departures, the agency's civil servant workforce is set to drop from more than 18,000 before Trump took office in January to roughly 14,000 — a more than 20 per cent decrease. Those leaving the National Aeronautics and Space Administration on the deferred resignation programme will be placed on administrative leave until an agreed departure date. An agency spokesperson said the figures could shift slightly in the coming weeks. "Safety remains a top priority for our agency as we balance the need to become a more streamlined and more efficient organization and work to ensure we remain fully capable of pursuing a Golden Era of exploration and innovation, including to the Moon and Mars," the agency said. Earlier this year, the Trump administration's proposed Nasa budget put a return to the Moon and a journey to Mars front and centre, slashing science and climate programs. The White House says it wants to focus on "beating China back to the Moon and putting the first human on Mars." China is aiming for its first crewed lunar landing by 2030, while the US program, called Artemis, has faced repeated delays. Nasa is still run by an acting administrator after the administration's initial pick to lead the agency, tech billionaire Jared Isaacman — endorsed by former Trump advisor Elon Musk — was ultimately rejected by the Republican president.


Sharjah 24
a day ago
- Sharjah 24
New planet discovered 35 light years away
Discovery made using NASA's TESS Telescope The team utilised NASA's TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) space telescope to identify the planet, named L 98-59 f. It is one of five planets orbiting a red dwarf star in the L 98-59 system. Located in the habitable zone L 98-59 f lies within the star's habitable zone, the region where liquid water could potentially exist. It receives a similar amount of stellar energy as Earth does from the Sun, making it a candidate for possible habitability. A compact and diverse planetary system The L 98-59 system was previously believed to host only four planets. However, after extensive analysis of data from both space- and ground-based telescopes, the fifth planet was identified. Detected through stellar motion Unlike the other planets in the system, L 98-59 f does not transit between its star and Earth, making it invisible to standard transit detection methods. Instead, scientists detected it by observing subtle shifts in the motion of its host star — a method known as the radial velocity technique.