A space telescope gives a rare glimpse of an extraterrestrial planet

(Reuters) – Direct observations from a NASA space telescope have revealed for the first time an empty atmosphere around a rocky planet the size of the Earth outside of our solar system orbiting around Earth. A star in the galaxy.

According to a study published Monday by the journal Nature, the surface of the distant planet will probably resemble that of the arid outer moon or the surface of Mercury, possibly covered with dark volcanic rock.

Located 48.6 light-years from Earth, the planet is one of more than 4,000 objects called extrasolar planets. It has been discovered over the past two decades orbiting distant stars in our galaxy, the Milky Way.

Scientists call the planet LHS 3488B, about 1.3 times the size of the planet and have an 11-hour orbit period. In the galaxy.

The study indicates that the planet's lack of atmosphere may be due to the intense radiation of the mother's red dwarf star, which emits high levels of ultraviolet radiation, even if it is opaque to stellar standards.

The study is likely to spark debate among astronomers as to whether the search for conditions conducive to life outside our solar system should target the planets close to the red dwarfs, which account for about 75% of the stars of the Way. Milky or less common and larger stars. And hotter than the sun.