Barnard’s Star System May Host Dry, Rocky Worlds
New research published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society indicates that the four sub-Earth planets orbiting Barnard’s star are likely composed of the deep-Earth mineral periclase and lack atmospheres. According to University of Cambridge astronomer Xander Byrne and his colleagues, these rocky worlds—located just 6 light-years away—are too hostile to support life … Read more