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Space

Two planets orbiting a nearby star could have oceans and maybe life

By Leah Crane

4 August 2019

planets orbiting a star

Two planets around Teegarden’s Star might have oceans

University of Göttingen, Institute for Astrophysics

A pair of planets orbiting a nearby star called Teegarden’s star may be just right for liquid water, and perhaps even life. The planets, discovered in June 2019, could support water on their surfaces if they have very thin atmospheres or relatively thick ones.

Teegarden’s star – named after Bonnard Teegarden, the leader of the team that discovered it – is about 12.5 light years away, and it has two planets called Teegarden’s star b and c. It is a small and dim star, and its planets have tight…

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