On the Habitability of Teegarden's Star planets
arXiv:1906.07704 · doi:10.3847/2041-8213/ab2df7
The paper evaluates whether the two Earth‑mass planets orbiting the nearby ultra‑cool M dwarf Teegarden's Star could maintain surface liquid water, using an analytical habitability model and discussing atmospheric retention.
Abstract
We study the habitability of the two 1-2 Earth-mass planets, recently detected by the CARMENES collaboration, around the ultra-cool nearby M dwarf Teegarden's Star. With orbital periods of 4.9 and 11.4 days, both planets are likely to be within the Habitable Zone and tidally locked. They are among the most Earth-like exoplanets yet discovered. Applying an analytical habitability model we find that surface liquid water could be present on both planets for a wide range of atmospheric properties, which makes them attractive targets for bio-signature searches. The prospects of the planets retaining such an atmosphere over their history are discussed.
7 pages, 2 figures, published in ApJL