LP 816-60

LP 816-60 is a red dwarf star located in the constellation Octans. It gained prominence in 2023 due to the discovery of two confirmed exoplanets orbiting it, LP 816-60 b and LP 816-60 c. These exoplanets are of particular interest to astronomers studying the atmospheres of terrestrial exoplanets and their potential habitability.

LP 816-60 is a relatively small and cool star, which is typical for red dwarfs. Its low luminosity allows for potentially habitable zones to exist much closer to the star than in our solar system. This proximity, in turn, makes the planets more amenable to observation for atmospheric characterization using transit spectroscopy, where scientists analyze starlight that passes through the planet's atmosphere.

LP 816-60 b is a super-Earth with an orbital period of approximately 24.6 days. LP 816-60 c is slightly smaller than Neptune and has an orbital period of around 50 days. The discovery of these planets was facilitated by data from NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS).

The system’s proximity and the properties of the planets make LP 816-60 a significant target for future observations using telescopes like the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), as astronomers seek to determine the composition and habitability of exoplanetary atmospheres.