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Type of Star: Spectral Class: Distance: Luminosity: Mass: Surface Temperature: |
Red Dwarf M2V 8,3 Lightyears 0,024 L Low 3000 K |
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Mass: Orbital Radius: Orbital Period: Temperature: Eccentricity: |
0,9 Jupiter Masses 2 AU 5,8 Years -150°C Unknown |
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Mass: Orbital Radius: Orbital Period: Temperature: Eccentricity: |
1,6 Jupiter Masses 10 AU 30 Years -220°C Unknown |
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The system may contain a third planet on a wider orbit. |
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Both Lalande 21185 b and c could have been ideal Jovian worlds - were it not for their parent star. Lalande 21185 is a Red Dwarf, a cosmic glowworm rather than a bright fire as our own sun. The two worlds of Lalande 21185 are cold and dark. Both planets have been discovered by directly observing the star's motion across the sky. |
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Lalande 21185 b may resemble Jupiter in composition, only somewhat colder. Any moons are frozen, barren worlds, covered with ice and frozen ammoniak. Tidal friction on the inner moons may drive geysirs of liquid methane. Nowhere on the worlds of Lalande 21185 could water exist in its precious liquid form. |
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Farther outside, on an orbit similar to Saturn's, is Lalande 21185 c. But Lalande 21185 c would not be as bright as our own ringed beauty - with a sun 40 times dimmer than ours, this world would more resemble Uranus or Neptune, and nothing more spectacular than a winter snowstorm of frozen methane may be seen on its moons. Cast in a dim, red light and incredibly cold, the worlds of Lalande 21185 are unsuitable for any kind of life. |
