Bulgarian scientist discovers nearby "super-Earth" exoplanet

published on 3/5/21 12:02 PM

Photo: RenderArea

A Bulgarian planetary scientist has discovered a new nearby "super-Earth" exoplanet. The rocky-surface Gliese 486b is only 26 light years from Earth and is suitable for analysis.

The discovery was published in the prestigious journal Science, as the leading author is Dr. Trifon Trifonov - an astronomer from the Max Planck Institute of Astronomy in Heidelberg, and a graduate of Sofia University, BTA reported.

Gliese 486b is one of the few exoplanets that can help scientists study the composition of the atmosphere rocky earth-like alien world and provide important information about the origin and evolution of earth-like planets, Trifonov said in an interview with the Bulgarian National Television.

The scientist is part of the CARMENES consortium, uniting 11 scientific institutions in Spain and Germany. Their goal is to track more than 350 red dwarf stars.

Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!

Radio Bulgaria Life astromony astronomer Earth Gliese 486b Heidelberg Max Planck planet planetary scientist red dwarfs science scientist stars

More from category

Ivo Ivanov from Radio Bulgaria is among the graduates of BNR's 11th Radio Journalism Master Class

The diplomas from the 11th master class in radio journalism of the Bulgarian National Radio – BNR Academy were awarded at a solemn ceremony on November 14. The lectures and practical classes in modern forms of radio journalism build on the professional..

published on 11/15/25 10:10 AM

Balkan Developments

Italy investigates claims of hunting of people in Sarajevo in the 1990s The prosecutor's office in Milan has launched an investigation into shocking reports of organized "sniper safaris" in Bosnia during the war in..

published on 11/14/25 4:35 PM

Bulgarian doctors conduct reproductive health checkups in Albania

Albania and Bulgaria have joined forces in the name of one more child being born. In the late afternoon of November 7, the first-ever free reproductive medicine checkups, led by Bulgarian specialists, began in the Albanian town of Korçë — a region..

published on 11/14/25 11:02 AM