Astronomers have recently discovered a new exoplanet, LHS 3844 b, that is tidally locked to its M-type star. This alien world has one side always in sunlight while the other side is in darkness. The confirmation of this phenomenon on an exoplanet is a first for scientists and highlights the possibility of similar occurrences in our galaxy.
The research on LHS 3844b, also known as Kua’kua, was published in The Astrophysical Journal. It reveals that the planet is located too close to its star to sustain life as we know it. However, this discovery is significant in showing that tidally locked exoplanets are feasible and potentially widespread in the universe.
Tidal locking occurs when a celestial body always presents the same face towards another due to gravitational forces. Exoplanets in close proximity to their stars are more likely to experience tidal locking, as exhibited by Kua’kua. By comparing observations of the planet’s temperature taken with the Spitzer Space Telescope to a model of an atmosphere-free exoplanet, researchers concluded that Kua’kua is tidally locked. While further investigation is necessary using advanced telescopes, this finding provides the strongest evidence yet of the existence of tidally locked exoplanets.
