Introduction

For four years, the NEID spectrograph, housed at the WIYN 3.5-meter Telescope at the Kitt Peak National Observatory—operated by the U.S. National Science Foundation—has been achieving its primary scientific mission: confirming exoplanet candidates identified by other missions and providing detailed characterizations of known planets.

NEID Earth Twin Survey (NETS)

In an exciting new chapter, NEID is spearheading the NEID Earth Twin Survey (NETS), which aims to push the boundaries of exoplanet detection beyond what previous instruments could achieve. The goal is to uncover low-mass exoplanets orbiting bright, nearby stars that have previously gone undetected. This ambitious initiative has reached a milestone with the confirmation of the exoplanet HD 86728 b, a significant find presented by a team led by postdoctoral researcher and NOIRLab astronomer, Arvind Gupta, in a forthcoming publication in AAS Journals.

NEID's Unique Capabilities

NEID is particularly adept at observing minute movements caused by the gravitational interaction between a star and its orbiting planets. As a planet revolves around a star, its gravitational pull induces a slight wobble in the star’s position, detectable through radial velocity measurements. NEID boasts the capability to measure these velocities with astonishing precision—less than 3.5 kilometers per hour (2 miles per hour), comparable to a gentle stroll. This superior sensitivity places NEID at the forefront of exoplanet detection.

Challenges Overcome in Detection

Despite extensive observations of its host star over three decades, HD 86728 b had remained elusive due to its small mass and the constraints of existing technology. Although tentatively classified as a candidate in 2021, findings were inconclusive until NEID definitively detected it in just 137 nights of observation. This rapid confirmation underscores NEID's exceptional sensitivity and its potential to discover Earth-like planets more efficiently than ever before.

Characteristics of HD 86728 b

HD 86728 b, categorized as a super-Earth, exhibits an orbital period of 31 days and possesses a mass approximately nine times that of Earth. Intriguingly, it appears to be the only planet in its orbit; however, there’s a possibility of smaller, undetected companions with longer orbital periods. The research team intends to continue their follow-up investigations to unveil more about its planetary system.

Significance of the Discovery

This discovery marks a historic first for the NETS initiative and represents NEID’s initial success in uncovering exoplanets independently of any prior missions or surveys. The implications of this achievement demonstrate NEID's formidable capabilities and highlight the exciting potential for future celestial discoveries.

Future Prospects

With the ongoing advancements in exoplanet detection technology, researchers are eagerly anticipating what other hidden worlds await beyond our solar system. The excitement surrounding HD 86728 b and the capabilities of NEID could herald a new era in the search for Earth-like planets capable of harboring life. Stay tuned as we unravel more cosmic mysteries in the coming months!