This newly identified exoplanet is a super-Earth, several times more massive than our own planet, and potentially rocky. The planet, named GJ 251 c, orbits an M-dwarf star only about 18 light-years from Earth, making it an excellent candidate for future direct imaging investigations.

M-dwarf stars are abundant in the Milky Way and are known for pronounced stellar activity, including starspots and flares, which can mimic signals typically used to detect exoplanets. The proximity of GJ 251 c gives scientists a prime opportunity to observe the planet with advanced tools such as the Thirty Meter Telescope, which may directly image faint worlds like GJ 251 c and search for signs of water.

Corey Beard, lead author and data scientist, emphasized: "TMT will be the only telescope with sufficient resolution to image exoplanets like this one. It's just not possible with smaller telescopes." Paul Robertson, co-author and associate professor at UC Irvine, noted: "What makes this especially valuable is that its host star is close by, at just about 18 light-years away. Cosmically speaking, it's practically next door."

The discovery relied on high-precision observations from the Habitable-zone Planet Finder and NEID instruments. These devices detect the subtle light variations caused by an orbiting planet's gravitational influence. By capturing radial velocity signatures, the instruments enabled researchers to confirm GJ 251 c as a strong exoplanet candidate.

Infrared observations helped reduce false positives from stellar activity, enhancing confidence in the findings. The team's modeling produced statistically significant evidence for the existence of the planet, while also highlighting the need for next-generation telescopes to further verify and study GJ 251 c.

The research team included scientists from UCLA, Pennsylvania State University, the University of the Netherlands, and the University of Colorado, Boulder. Funding was provided by the NSF (grant AST-2108493) and NASA/NSF NN-EXPLORE and ICAR programs.

Beard commented: "While its discovery is quite statistically significant, we are still determining the status of the planet due to the uncertainty of our instruments and methods. We need the next generation of telescopes to directly image this candidate, but what we also need is community investment."

Research Report:Discovery of a Nearby Habitable Zone Super-Earth Candidate Amenable to Direct Imaging

Related Links
University of California - Irvine
Lands Beyond Beyond - extra solar planets - news and science
Life Beyond Earth