KOI 5715.01 explained

KOI-5715.01
Orbit Ref:[1]
Apsis:astron
Aphelion:Unknown
Perihelion:Unknown
Eccentricity:Unknown
Star:KOI-5715
Single Temperature:Teq

(260K)

KOI-5715.01 is an exoplanet candidate that orbits the K-type dwarf star KOI-5715, located approximately 2,964 light-years from Earth in the constellation of Cygnus. It was identified in 2015 through an analysis of light curve data obtained by the Kepler space telescope. While the exoplanet is yet to be confirmed, preliminary data suggests that it is one of the more promising superhabitable planet candidates.

Detection and status

In April 2015, KOI-5715.01 was included in a published catalog of candidate planets identified by the Kepler space telescope but was initially classified as a false positive.[2] [3] Following this, a 2016 study of transit-timing events from over 2,500 Kepler objects of interest (KOIs) re-identified KOI-5715.01 as a potential exoplanet.[4] In September 2018, the NASA Exoplanet Archive re-evaluated the dispositions of hundreds of KOIs, employing a more varied vetting approach aimed at achieving the most accurate disposition for each KOI.[5] Subsequently, KOI-5715.01 was reclassified as a candidate planet.[6]

Host star

The planet orbits the faint orange dwarf star KOI-5715, which has a spectral type of K3V. It is located approximately 2,964 light-years from Earth in the constellation of Cygnus.[7] The effective temperature of the star is roughly 5123 K,[1] relatively cooler than the Sun's temperature of 5780 K.[8] KOI-5715 is also smaller than the Sun, possessing 74% of its mass and 86% of its radius.[1]

Habitability

In 2020, Dirk Schulze-Makuch and colleagues recognized KOI-5715.01 as one of the top contenders for planets they deemed "superhabitable," defined as a planet that offers more favorable conditions for life than what is found on Earth.[9] It meets most of the criteria for superhabitable planets due to the characteristics of its host star and the planet's estimated age (~5.5 Ga) and surface temperature (~11.6 °C).[9] Although its surface temperature is slightly colder than the Earth's average of 15 °C,[10] it may still have superhabitable conditions if it is experiencing a comparatively stronger greenhouse effect.[9]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: KOI-5715 Overview . Nasa Exoplanet Archive . 27 December 2023.
  2. Mullally . F. . Coughlin . Jeffrey L. . Thompson . Susan E. . Rowe . Jason . Burke . Christopher . Planetary Candidates Observed by Kepler. VI. Planet Sample from Q1--Q16 (47 Months) . The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series . April 2015 . 217 . 2 . 31 . 10.1088/0067-0049/217/2/31 . 14 January 2024. 1502.02038 . 2015ApJS..217...31M . 38448081 .
  3. Web site: Q1-Q16 KOI Table . Nasa Exoplanet Archive . 13 January 2024 . 18 December 2014.
  4. Holczer . Tomer . Mazeh . Tsevi . Nachmani . Gil . Jontof-Hutter . Daniel . Ford . Eric B. . Fabrycky . Daniel . Ragozzine . Darin . Kane . Mackenzie . Steffen . Jason H. . Transit Timing Observations from Kepler. IX. Catalog of the Full Long-cadence Data Set . The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series . July 2016 . 225 . 1 . 9 . 10.3847/0067-0049/225/1/9. free . 1606.01744 . 2016ApJS..225....9H .
  5. Web site: Purpose of Kepler Objects of Interest (KOI) Activity Tables. Q1-Q17 DR 25 KOI Supplemental . NASA Exoplanet Archive . 14 January 2024.
  6. Web site: Q1-Q17 DR 25 Supplemental Table . NASA Exoplanet Archive . 14 January 2024 . 27 September 2018.
  7. News: Carter . Jamie . Stop Looking For An 'Earth 2.0,' Say Scientists As They Detect An Even Better 'Superhabitable' World . Forbes . 7 October 2020.
  8. News: Williams . D. R. . Sun Fact Sheet . NASA Goddard Space Flight Center . 1 July 2012.
  9. Schulze-Makuch . Dirk . Heller . René . Guinan . Edward . In Search for a Planet Better than Earth: Top Contenders for a Superhabitable World . Astrobiology . December 2020 . 20 . 12 . 1393–1404 . 10.1089/ast.2019.2161. 32955925 . 7757576 . 2020AsBio..20.1394S .
  10. News: Stein . Vicky . Sharp . Tim . What is the average temperature of Earth? . Space.com . 20 September 2023.