Science & Tech · Space · 2 hrs ago
Simulations Suggest an Earth-Mass Planet Could Orbit One Star in 70 Ophiuchi
70 Ophiuchi is a two-star system about 16 light-years from Earth.
Its stars are smaller, cooler K dwarfs, and the system may be around 3 billion years old.
Researchers studied whether an Earth-mass planet could orbit the primary star without being destabilized by its companion.
They combined decades of measurements with computer simulations, including tests of planets at 2,000 distances from the primary star over 10 million years.
Their results suggest that an Earth-mass planet could have a stable orbit in that star’s habitable zone, where conditions might allow liquid water.
This is a simulation result, not a discovery of a planet in the system.
The findings indicate that having two stars does not necessarily rule out a long-lived, potentially habitable planet.
Simulations suggest an Earth-mass planet could maintain a stable orbit around one star in the 70 Ophiuchi binary system.
The system’s two K-dwarf stars are about 16 light-years from Earth.
Researchers used radial-velocity measurements of both stars, including data from eight instruments for the primary star.
They simulated Earth-mass planets at 2,000 distances from the primary star and tracked each for 10 million years.
The study examined whether a planet could orbit within the primary star’s habitable zone.
- Who
- An astronomy team from more than a dozen institutions studied the 70 Ophiuchi system.
- What
- Researchers used observations and simulations to test whether an Earth-mass planet could maintain a stable orbit around the primary star.
- When
- The article was published on October 12, 2026. The study’s date is not stated.
- Where
- The 70 Ophiuchi binary star system, about 16 light-years from Earth.
- Why
- To assess whether an Earth-mass planet could survive in the primary star’s habitable zone despite the presence of a companion star.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
You might imagine that second star coming through like a wrecking ball and making it impossible for an Earth-sized planet to survive in the habitable zone. But these simulations show that isn't necessarily the case.
William Herschel identified 70 Ophiuchi as a binary system.
Researchers compiled radial-velocity measurements of both stars, including data from eight instruments for the primary star.
The team simulated Earth-mass planets at 2,000 distances from the primary star, tracking each for 10 million years.
- System
- 70 Ophiuchi (70 Oph AB)
- Distance from Earth
- About 16 light-years
- Stars
- Two K dwarfs, about 88% and 73% of the Sun’s mass
- Simulated distances
- 2,000 distances from the primary star
- Simulation duration
- 10 million years per simulated planet
Sources
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