TOI 700 d is a super cool planet that isn’t in our solar system. It’s called an exoplanet, and it’s located 101.4 light-years away from us in a group of stars known as the Dorado constellation. It was discovered in January 2020 by a smart astronomer named Emily Gilbert. What’s really exciting about TOI 700 d is that it’s the first planet about the size of Earth that was found orbiting its star, which is called TOI 700. This star is a red dwarf, which means it’s smaller and cooler than our Sun.
TOI 700 d is quite far from us, at 101.4 light-years away. That’s a huge distance, but finding it is a big deal because scientists are always looking for planets that might be like Earth. Its spot in the Dorado constellation makes it even more interesting to look at in the night sky.
One of the coolest things about TOI 700 d is that it orbits in what’s called the “habitable zone” of its star. This means it might have the right conditions for liquid water, which is important for life as we know it. The star it orbits, TOI 700, is smaller and cooler than our Sun, with about 40% of the Sun’s mass and 55% of its temperature. This could mean that TOI 700 d has a chance to support life!
TOI 700 d isn’t alone! It’s one of three planets orbiting the TOI 700 star. The other two are called TOI 700 b and TOI 700 c. All these planets might be tidally locked, which means they always show the same side to their star, just like how the Moon always shows the same face to Earth.
TOI 700 d was found using a special satellite called TESS, which is designed to find planets like Earth around nearby stars. After TESS spotted it, NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope took a closer look and confirmed that TOI 700 d is really there.
Nasa is on a mission to find more Earth-like planets out in space. TOI 700 d is just one example of the exciting discoveries that might be waiting for us. As scientists continue to explore, they open up new possibilities for learning about planets beyond our solar system.
TOI 700 d is an amazing Earth-sized exoplanet that has captured the imagination of scientists and space fans everywhere. As we discover more about this distant world, it makes us wonder about the possibility of life beyond Earth and the incredible vastness of the universe.
Star Gazing Adventure: On a clear night, go outside with your family and try to find the Dorado constellation where TOI 700 d is located. Use a star map or a stargazing app to help you. Once you find it, imagine what it would be like to live on a planet in that constellation. Write a short story or draw a picture of your imagined life on TOI 700 d.
Model the Solar System: Create a simple model of the TOI 700 system using clay or playdough. Make the star TOI 700 and its three planets: TOI 700 b, TOI 700 c, and TOI 700 d. Arrange them to show how they might orbit their star. Discuss with your family or friends why TOI 700 d is special because it is in the “habitable zone” and what that means for the possibility of life.
Light-Year Leap: A light-year is the distance light travels in one year. Since TOI 700 d is 101.4 light-years away, calculate how many kilometers that is, knowing that light travels about 9.46 trillion kilometers in one year. Use the equation:
$$ text{Distance in kilometers} = 101.4 times 9.46 times 10^{12} $$
Discuss with your classmates or family how far that is compared to distances on Earth, like the distance from New York to Los Angeles, which is about $3,944$ kilometers.
