Astronomy:Kepler-438
Kepler-438 is a red dwarf in the constellation Lyra, about 590 light years from Earth.[1] It is notable for its planetary system, which includes Kepler-438b, a possibly Earth-size planet within Kepler-438's habitable zone. Kepler-438 is a flare star that undergoes random, dramatic increases in brightness due to flare activity. It emits strong superflares every few hundred days, with each flare being stronger than the most powerful flare recorded on the Sun.[2]
Planetary system
The system has one confirmed planet. However, transit timing observations of Kepler-438b indicate the possible presence of additional planets.[3]
| Companion (in order from star) |
Mass | Semimajor axis (AU) |
Orbital period (days) |
Eccentricity | Inclination | Radius |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| b | — | 0.166 +0.051−0.042 | 35.23319 +0.00025−0.00029 | 0.03 +0.10−0.03 | 89.86 +0.14−0.32° | 1.12 +0.16−0.17 R⊕ |
In 2022, a preprint described a narrowband radio signal that "[met] initial criteria for extraterrestrial intelligence" emitted from one of the Kepler-438 planets and received by astronomers at the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) in China.[6] The signal was later determined to be of terrestrial origin.[7]
References
- ↑ Vallenari, A. et al. (2022). "Gaia Data Release 3. Summary of the content and survey properties". Astronomy & Astrophysics. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202243940 Gaia DR3 record for this source at VizieR.
- ↑ "Most Earthlike exoplanet is uninhabitable". https://earthsky.org/space/most-earthlike-exoplanet-is-uninhabitable/. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
- ↑ Kipping, D. M. et al. (2014). "The Hunt for Exomoons with Kepler (HEK). IV. A Search for Moons around Eight M Dwarfs". The Astrophysical Journal 784 (1): 28. doi:10.1088/0004-637X/784/1/28. Bibcode: 2014ApJ...784...28K.
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedTorres - ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedEU - ↑ Ling Xin (June 15, 2022). "Alien hunters detect mystery radio signal from direction of Earthlike planet". South China Morning Post. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3181832/alien-hunters-detect-mystery-radio-signal-direction-earthlike. "Narrowband signal picked up from direction of the Kepler-438 star meets initial criteria for extraterrestrial intelligence, preprint says; orbiting Kepler-438 in its habitable zone is one of the most Earthlike planets ever found outside the solar system."
- ↑ Overbye, Dennis (June 18, 2022). "A Chinese Telescope Did Not Find an Alien Signal. The Search Continues.". The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/18/science/china-alien-signal.html.
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