Trappist-1 system art

The Trappist-1 system, 40 light-years from Earth, hosts seven Earth-sized rocky planets, three in the habitable zone.

About this subject

Discovered in 2016 by the TRAPPIST (Transiting Planets and Planetesimals Small Telescope) in Chile, the Trappist-1 system revolutionized the search for extraterrestrial life. It is an ultracool red dwarf with about 8% of the Sun's mass, located in the constellation Aquarius. Its seven planets, all similar in size and mass to Earth, were detected via the transit method. Three of them (e, f, and g) orbit within the habitable zone, where temperatures allow liquid water on the surface.

The planets are remarkably close to each other: all would fit within Mercury's orbit. This compact configuration allows gravitational interactions, enabling studies of orbital dynamics. Observations from the Hubble and Spitzer telescopes suggest the planets may be rocky with possible oceans. However, the star emits intense flares that could erode atmospheres, making habitability uncertain.

The name TRAPPIST honors the Trappist monastic order (famous for brewing beer), since the telescope is at La Silla Observatory, operated by ESO. The system is a prime target for the James Webb Space Telescope, which will search for atmospheric signatures like oxygen and methane.

Fun fact: the system was discovered during an observing campaign that also revealed three additional planets in 2017, totaling seven. Artistic representations often show the planets with varied colors, but their true appearances remain unknown.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many planets does the Trappist-1 system have?

Seven Earth-sized rocky planets, three of which are in the habitable zone: Trappist-1e, 1f, and 1g.

Where is the Trappist-1 system located?

40 light-years from Earth, in the constellation Aquarius. Its star is an ultracool red dwarf.

Why is the system called TRAPPIST?

The name comes from the telescope that discovered it, the TRAPPIST (Transiting Planets and Planetesimals Small Telescope), and honors the Trappist monks of Belgium, known for brewing beer.