East Texas A&M Professor Contributes to Major Discovery of Planet Candidate in Nearby Star System

A newly accepted scientific paper involving East Texas A&M University’s Dr. Billy Quarles, an assistant professor of physics and astronomy, details the possible discovery of a planet orbiting Alpha Centauri A, the closest star system to Earth. The research, conducted in collaboration with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA Ames Research Center and the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI), has been accepted for publication in Astrophysical Journal Letters, one of the most respected journals in the field.

Using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, scientists identified a potential planet located in the habitable zone of Alpha Centauri A, a region where temperatures might allow liquid water to exist. The object appears to be similar in size to Jupiter and is situated just over four light-years away, making it the most Earth-adjacent candidate of its kind ever observed. While the object was seen in one observation and not detected in follow-ups, researchers believe its movement along an orbit may explain the missing sightings.

If confirmed, the discovery would mark a milestone in the study of planets beyond our solar system, particularly around stars that resemble our own. It would also open exciting new paths for future exploration using both current and upcoming space telescopes.

Dr. Quarles, who says his research interests include unraveling the mysteries of exoplanets, led the orbital analysis for the project by combining astrometry and numerical simulations of gravity, which helped determine that the object could be following one of several possible orbital paths. While additional observations will be needed to confirm the object’s nature, the current findings strongly support the idea of a large planet orbiting about 1.67 astronomical units from Alpha Centauri A.

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at East Texas A&M gives students hands-on research experience, with opportunities to contribute to major space science collaborations. This discovery highlights the department’s growing role in cutting-edge astronomy and offers exciting possibilities for students interested in studying planets beyond our solar system.

To read more about this incredible discovery, you can check out the news releases by Webb Space Telescope or NASA.

Featured Photo: Artist’s Concept of Planet Candidate | Webb Space Telescope