Overview

• The discovery was made using the MAROON-X instrument on the Gemini North telescope and confirmed with data from the ESPRESSO instrument on the Very Large Telescope in Chile.
• The planets, named Barnard b, c, d, and e, range from 19% to 34% of Earth's mass and complete their orbits in just 2.3 to 6.7 days.
• All four planets orbit too close to Barnard's Star, resulting in extreme surface temperatures that preclude the possibility of liquid water and habitability.
• This marks a significant achievement in detecting sub-Earth-sized exoplanets, which are among the smallest ever found using the radial velocity method.
• Barnard's Star, a red dwarf located 6 light-years away, has long been a target for exoplanet hunters due to its proximity and potential for hosting rocky planets.