A nearby star system hosts seven Earth-sized worlds, three potentially holding liquid water.
Astronomers have discovered seven Earth-sized planets orbiting the ultracool dwarf star TRAPPIST-1, located 40 light-years from Earth. This video explores the significance of this system, which contains the highest number of Earth-sized planets and potentially habitable worlds ever identified in a single star system.
The TRAPPIST-1 system was observed using both space and ground-based telescopes, including the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope. Researchers identified the seven planets by monitoring their transits as they passed in front of their parent star.
Three of these planets are situated within the star's habitable zone, suggesting they could possess surface oceans. While the video features artist impressions, these visuals are grounded in the known physical parameters of the planets and star, drawing on extensive astronomical data.
