24/7 Space News
EXO WORLDS
Earth sized planets frequently orbit red dwarf stars study finds
illustration only
Earth sized planets frequently orbit red dwarf stars study finds
by Robert Schreiber
Berlin, Germany (SPX) Jun 30, 2025

Astronomers from Heidelberg University have found that Earth-like planets are especially common around low-mass stars, according to new results based on data from the CARMENES project. The international team identified four previously unknown exoplanets and revealed a strong trend: stars with less than one-sixth of the Sun's mass often host multiple small rocky planets.

These results stem from precise radial velocity measurements captured using the CARMENES spectrograph at the Calar Alto Observatory in Spain. Designed and constructed at Heidelberg's Konigstuhl Observatory, the instrument targets M-dwarfs-cool, low-mass stars that are the most common type in our galaxy. Their slight wobbles caused by orbiting planets allow astronomers to detect otherwise invisible worlds.

In the current study, scientists selected 15 stars from a catalog of 2,200 M-dwarfs surveyed by CARMENES. By analyzing their high-resolution spectra, they confirmed four new exoplanets. One is 14 times the mass of Earth with a 3.3-year orbit. The other three are much smaller, ranging from 1.03 to 1.52 Earth masses, and circle their stars in under six days.

The statistical data suggests that stars under 0.16 solar masses typically have about two planets smaller than three Earth masses. "It is quite remarkable how often small planets occur around very low-mass stars," said lead researcher Dr Adrian Kaminski of Heidelberg's Konigstuhl Observatory. He added that larger planets remain uncommon in such systems.

Although none of the roughly 5,000 known exoplanets are exact Earth analogs, the newly detected planets share several key traits, including size, mass, and suitable temperatures. Prof. Dr Andreas Quirrenbach, director of the Konigstuhl Observatory, emphasized the significance: "Small, rocky planets in the so-called habitable zone... are potential candidates for habitable worlds." Because M-dwarfs are both numerous and stable over long timescales, they offer promising targets in the search for life beyond Earth.

Research Report:The CARMENES search for exoplanets around M dwarfs. Occurrence rates of Earth-like planets around very low-mass stars

Related Links
Konigstuhl Observatory of Heidelberg University
Lands Beyond Beyond - extra solar planets - news and science
Life Beyond Earth

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
EXO WORLDS
James Webb reveals sub-Saturn mass exoplanet in young star system
Paris, France (SPX) Jul 08, 2025
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has directly imaged a previously unknown exoplanet, marking a significant milestone since the telescope's launch in 2022. Led by a CNRS researcher at the Observatoire de Paris-PSL and Universite Grenoble Alpes, the discovery was enabled by a coronagraph developed in France and installed on JWST's MIRI instrument. This technology, created through a CNRS-CEA collaboration, functions by masking a star's light to reveal nearby, dimmer objects-similar to what occur ... read more

EXO WORLDS
Michelin-star chef prepares ISS meals for French astronaut

Investments rise in data, AI, outpacing physical assets: UN

NASA to live-stream launches, spacewalks on Netflix

Blue Origin launches six tourists on 13th passenger flight

EXO WORLDS
Gilmour Space again delays launch of Australia's first orbital rocket

NASA prepares sensor breakthrough for upcoming hypersonic rocket flights

K2 Space validates satellite systems in orbit and fires record-breaking thruster

Competing wave patterns may unlock turbulent secrets in hypersonic vehicle design

EXO WORLDS
Continuing the Quest for Clays

Bioplastic habitats could sustain algae growth for space colonization

European students complete immersive analog Mars mission in Portugal

Was Mars doomed to be a desert? Study proposes new explanation

EXO WORLDS
International deep space alliance launched in Hefei China

Chinese Long March Rockets Make International Debut at Paris Air Show

China launches international association to boost global access to deep space research

China Shenzhou XX crew advances cognitive and biotech research aboard Tiangong

EXO WORLDS
AST SpaceMobile adds 100 million in non dilutive funding to support manufacturing expansion

Globalstar selects SpaceX to launch final replacement satellites

Collaboration aims to protect radio astronomy from satellite signal interference

Boeing expands SES O3b mPOWER fleet with latest satellite delivery

EXO WORLDS
Houses made from rice: Kyrgyzstan's eco-friendly revolution

OKI offers custom long flexible circuits for low-volume space tech production

A New Alloy is Enabling Ultra-Stable Structures Needed for Exoplanet Discovery

Heat sink technology put to the test aboard Australian satellite mission

EXO WORLDS
Scientists uncover mechanism that causes formation of planets

Meteorite amino acid triggers nanocavity formation in common clay

James Webb reveals sub-Saturn mass exoplanet in young star system

Clingy exoplanet may be triggering destructive stellar flares

EXO WORLDS
Unexpected Dust Patterns Found on Uranus Moons Confound Scientists

SwRI study shows Europa's icy surface constantly reshaping

The hunt for mysterious 'Planet Nine' offers up a surprise

Jupiter Was Formerly Twice Its Current Size and Had a Much Stronger Magnetic Field

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.