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Discovery of new rocky exoplanet near Earth opens path to unravel atmospheric evolution mysteries in alien solar systems
Astronomers have identified the rocky exoplanet TOI-4616 b, a world with dimensions similar to Earth that orbits a nearby red dwarf star. Located about 91 light-years away, the system offers a rare opportunity for scientists to understand planetary evolution and atmospheric loss processes. The discovery was statistically validated through observations from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS).
The planet transits a type M star, a class of small, cool stars that are abundant in the galaxy. Due to its characteristics and proximity, TOI-4616 b is described by researchers as a valuable reference system for future investigations. The research, led by Francis Zong Lang from the University of Bern, has been submitted to the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
Atmospheric challenges of the rocky exoplanet
The rocky exoplanet TOI-4616 b faces extreme radiation conditions due to its proximity to its host star. With an orbital period of just 1.55 days, this Earth-like world has an estimated equilibrium temperature of 525 Kelvin. This high-irradiation environment puts the planet’s atmosphere at constant risk of total dissipation due to stellar pressure.
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M dwarf stars take between 1 to 2 billion years to reach the main sequence, during which their luminosity is much more intense. This initial phase exerts severe dissipative pressure on primordial hydrogen-rich atmospheres, which are easily stripped away. However, the study indicates that denser atmospheres composed of CO₂ have a greater capacity to withstand this wear process.
There is also the possibility that the rocky exoplanet could develop secondary atmospheres through geological processes such as volcanism and degassing. A robust magnetic field could also act as protection, helping the planet retain essential gases over time. These variables make the system an informative test case for scientific models of volatile retention and internal composition.
Characteristics of the TOI-4616 stellar system
The host star TOI-4616 has approximately 0.1889 solar radii and a mass equivalent to 0.1881 times that of the Sun. With a temperature of about 3150 Kelvin, it is classified as a typical small, cool M dwarf. The rocky exoplanet has a radius 1.22 times that of Earth, placing it in an intermediate observational regime.
This intermediate position occurs between planets orbiting early M dwarfs and those situated around ultra-cool host stars. Due to this configuration, TOI-4616 b serves as a fundamental comparison standard for planetary structure and evolution. Although most of its original atmosphere may have disappeared, the imminent danger to which the planet is exposed makes it scientifically attractive.
Researchers highlight that the brightness of the host star and well-defined stellar parameters facilitate detailed monitoring. The system stands out from other targets due to its precise measurements that allow for deeper dynamic studies. The rocky exoplanet thus becomes a natural laboratory to test how terrestrial worlds behave under strong irradiation regimes.
Observation history and potential for the JWST
The relevance of this rocky exoplanet is enhanced by an extensive database collected over decades. Archive records of the star TOI-4616 date back to 1954, totaling over 60 years of accumulated information. More recent observations were conducted by PanSTARRS in 2011 and by SNO/Artemis in 2025, using different technological capabilities.
This long-term coverage offers a significant advantage for future studies with instruments such as the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). Not all Earth-like planets orbiting M dwarfs are ideal candidates for the telescope, often due to a lack of consistent data about the star. In the case of TOI-4616 b, the combination of transit measurements in multiple bands favors detailed atmospheric investigations.
The study of this rocky exoplanet helps fill gaps regarding the abundance of terrestrial worlds around M dwarf stars. With over 6,000 exoplanets already confirmed by science, patterns indicate that M-type stars frequently host multiple rocky planets. The analysis of TOI-4616 b provides the necessary context to compare how these atmospheres evolve in comparison to other known systems, such as TRAPPIST-1.
With information from: SciTechDaily
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