A recurring radio signal from an exoplanet and the star it is orbiting, both 12 light-years from Earth, has been discovered by astronomers. The signal shows that the Earth-sized planet could have an atmosphere and a magnetosphere.How important is the discovery of a magnetic fieldBy diverting powerful particles and plasma that pour out from the sun, Earths magnetic field protects the planets atmosphere and helps to support life. Discovering atmospheres around planets beyond our solar system could indicate the existence of alien planets with the potential to harbour life.Using the Karl G. Jansky Array of telescopes in New Mexico, astronomers observed the star YZ Ceti and the rocky exoplanet known as YZ Ceti b. They found powerful radio signals originating from these entities. The radio signal, according to the experts, was produced by collisions between the magnetic field of the planet and the star.The journal Nature Astronomy on Monday released research outlining the conclusions. According to lead researcher Sebastian Pineda, an astrophysicist at the University of Colorado Boulder, “We witnessed the initial explosion, and it looked beautiful.” “When we noticed it again, it was highly suggestive that perhaps we actually have something.” According to Pineda, magnetic flux can stop a planets atmosphere from deteriorating and effectively eroding away over time as space debris bombards it.Unusually strong radio wavesThe radio waves must be extremely powerful, according to the experts, in order to be picked up on Earth. Whether or not a planet has a powerful magnetic field can determine whether or not it can support life with an atmosphere, according to Pineda.In the past, scientists have discovered magnetic fields on exoplanets with sizes comparable to Jupiter, our solar systems largest planet. Yet, because magnetic fields are basically invisible, discovering magnetic fields on smaller planetary bodies the size of Earth is more challenging.According to researcher Jackie Villadsen, “Were searching for planets that are about as big as Earth and are really near to their stars,” she said. These planets are far too near to their stars for them to be habitable, but because of this, the planet is sort of cutting through a lot of material coming from the star. The star will emit strong radio waves if the planet has a magnetic field and ploughs through enough stellar material.One orbit of YZ Ceti bs star is completed in just two days on Earth. The planet Mercury, whose orbit around the sun lasts 88 Earth days, has the shortest orbit in our solar system. Plasma from the star strikes the magnetic field of YZ Ceti b, rebounds, and interacts with the stars magnetic field as the planet rotates around its star. Strong radio waves are produced and released by each of these intense processes, which can be seen on Earth.Is YZ Ceti b the answer to an alien planet with lifeThe researchers believe that YZ Ceti b is a great option for a rocky exoplanet with a magnetic field discovered thus far. Villadsen stated, “This could actually plausibly be it.” “But before truly good evidence of radio waves being created by a planet is released, I believe there will need to be a lot of follow-up studies.”According to the researchers, new radio telescopes that will go into service this decade may enable astronomers to detect magnetic field-related signals more frequently. Joe Pesce, programme director at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, states that “the search for possibly livable or life existing worlds in other solar systems relies in part on being able to identify if rocky, Earth-like exoplanets truly have magnetic fields.” This study demonstrates not just that this specific rocky exoplanet probably possesses a magnetic field but also offers a feasible approach to discovering more.
