After years of searching, astronomers have found strong evidence of four small planets orbiting Barnard’s Star, the closest single-star system to Earth. These planets, much smaller than Earth, are estimated to be between 19% and 34% of our planet’s mass, according to recent research. (International Gemini Observatory/NSF's NOIRLab/International Gemini Observatory via CNN Newsource)


March 18, 2025 Tags:

After years of speculation, astronomers have finally confirmed the existence of four planets orbiting Barnard’s Star, a red dwarf just six light-years from Earth. This breakthrough marks one of the strongest pieces of evidence yet of exoplanets near our solar system. The newly identified planets are classified as sub-Earths, meaning they are smaller than our home planet, with masses ranging from 19% to 34% of Earth’s.

A Cosmic Neighbor with Hidden Worlds

Barnard’s Star, first identified in 1916, has long intrigued astronomers. It is the closest single-star system to Earth and has been a prime candidate in the hunt for exoplanets. However, previous searches have failed to confirm any planets.

“It’s a truly exciting discovery,” said Ritvik Basant, the study’s lead author and a doctoral student at the University of Chicago. “Barnard’s Star is practically in our cosmic backyard, yet we’ve known so little about it. This finding showcases the power of next-generation instruments.”

Advanced Tech Unveils the Hidden Planets

Astronomers detected subtle movements in Barnard's Star using the MAROON-X instrument on the Gemini North telescope in Hawaii. This method, known as the radial velocity technique, identifies the tiny gravitational wobbles stars experience due to orbiting planets.

Among the findings, scientists pinpointed the least massive exoplanet ever discovered, a milestone that could pave the way for identifying more small worlds across the galaxy. Smaller planets tend to have diverse compositions, and studying them may unlock new insights into planetary formation and habitability.

The findings were published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters on March 11.

Tiny Planets with a Harsh Reality

Despite their promising discovery, these planets are unlikely to support life. “Compared to our solar system, all four planets orbit much closer to their star than Mercury does to the Sun,” Basant explained. The closest one completes its orbit in less than three days, while the farthest takes just under a week.

Due to their proximity, these planets endure intense radiation and scorching temperatures. Edward Guinan, an astronomy professor at Villanova University, noted that Barnard’s Star likely blasted these planets with high-energy radiation during its younger years. As a result, they may have lost their atmospheres and any possibility of sustaining liquid water.

A Historic Milestone in Planet Hunting

For decades, astronomers suspected planets might orbit Barnard’s Star, but previous attempts produced false positives due to limited technology. The latest discovery, confirmed by data from both the MAROON-X and ESPRESSO instruments in Chile, finally proves their existence.

“This is an incredible moment for exoplanet research,” said Jacob Bean, a coauthor of the study. “It’s one of those discoveries that humanity will always remember.”

With this revelation, astronomers now know that planets orbit the two nearest star systems to our solar system, bringing us one step closer to understanding the vast and mysterious universe around us.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

You may also like

Nvidia’s AI Vision: Jensen Huang Unveils Future at GTC 2025

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang took center stage at the GTC 2025 conference, often dubbed “AI Woodstock,” to discuss the rapid....

Texas AI Boom: TPG-Backed Intersect Eyes Huge Data Centers

Intersect Power, a clean-energy firm backed by private equity giant TPG Inc., is in discussions with major tech companies to....

Elon Musk and OpenAI Head to Court Over Profit Dispute

OpenAI and Elon Musk have agreed to speed up their courtroom battle over the AI company’s shift to a for-profit....

Apple's AI Missteps: Siri Chief Admits Delays Are Embarrassing

Apple's struggle to enhance Siri has hit a rough patch, with top executives admitting that delays in AI features have....

Saturn’s Moon Count Surges to 274, Outpacing Jupiter

A team of researchers, including Canadian astronomers, has confirmed Saturn’s dominance as the planet with the most moons in the....

TikTok’s Future in the U.S. Remains Uncertain Amid Talks

The fate of TikTok in the United States remains in the air, as former President Donald Trump hinted at an....

Google Chromecast Users Face Streaming Issues for Second Day

For the second consecutive day, Google Chromecast users are struggling with an issue that has rendered their devices useless for....

Elon Musk Claims X Faces ‘Massive Cyberattack’ Amid Outage

Thousands of users found themselves unable to access X (formerly Twitter) on Monday due to a widespread outage. Later that....

Automation in Home Building: Robots Tackle Labour Shortages

In Gananoque, Ontario, a construction site is witnessing a new kind of worker—one that doesn’t tire, doesn’t take breaks, and....

Microsoft Develops AI Models to Compete with OpenAI’s Tech

Microsoft has developed its own artificial intelligence model, known as MAI, which the company believes can rival top AI products....

Kraken Gears Up for 2026 IPO Amid Changing US Crypto Policies

Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken is making preparations to go public, aiming for an initial public offering (IPO) in early 2026. The....

 SpaceX's Starship Explodes in Space Again, FAA Halts Flights

SpaceX’s ambitious Starship project faced another setback as the massive spacecraft exploded in space just minutes after launch from Texas....