TRAPPIST-1, the ultra-cool dwarf star system is the center of studies by scientists who are looking for habitable zones other than the planet Earth. This star system is host to the seven planets with almost the same size as earth. The reports reveal that three of these planets maybe habitable and therefore has potential to support life.
According to LiveScience, the researchers of the University of Liège in Belgium had been studying the star with the use of TRAPPIST, otherwise known as the TRAnsiting Planets and Planetesimals Small Telescope. The team leader Michael Gillion and his team had observed dimming events in the solar system caused by three planets, which are passing by the face of the star. Gillon called the three exoplanets as TRAPPIST-1b, TRAPPIST-1c and TRAPPIST-1d.
Meanwhile, very recently the NASA Spitzer Space Telescope have also provided information from data taken in its 21-day observation of the star system. It was revealed by Dizkover that three planets, which have almost the same size as Earth are in the habitable zone. The smallest is about 75 percent as big as Earth. Meanwhile, the largest planet is just 10 percent heavier than Earth. They have rocky areas, where liquid water might exist and therefore maybe habitable.
TRAPPIST-1 system is located at approximately 39 light-years away from Earth. However, for scientists that are looking for Earth's potential substitute in the future, the three exoplanets are the best answer at present. For additional information and update on the search for habitable planets, stay tuned to Telegiz.