description Luyten's Star Overview
Luyten's Star is a nearby red dwarf situated roughly 12.5 light-years away from Earth in the constellation Canis Minor. Named after the astronomer Willem Jacob Luyten, it is a moderately active M-type star with roughly a quarter of the Sun's mass. In 2017, astronomers confirmed the presence of two exoplanets orbiting the star, designated GJ 273b and GJ 273c. The larger planet, GJ 273b, is a super-Earth that orbits within the star's habitable zone, making it a frequent target in searches for potential biosignatures.
help Luyten's Star FAQ
Where is Luyten's Star, and can you see it without a telescope?
Luyten's Star, also called GJ 273, lies about 12.4 light-years away in Canis Minor. Despite being nearby, the red dwarf is too faint for unaided-eye viewing and requires a telescope.
What makes planet GJ 273b potentially habitable?
GJ 273b is a super-Earth orbiting within an estimated habitable zone, where surface liquid water could be possible under suitable atmospheric conditions. Its detection was reported in 2017 through radial-velocity measurements, not direct photography.
How many planets were originally announced around Luyten's Star?
The 2017 discovery paper reported two planets, GJ 273b and the shorter-period GJ 273c. Later research has discussed additional signals, but the architecture beyond the original pair has required further confirmation.
Did scientists send a message toward Luyten's Star?
Yes. The Sónar Calling GJ 273b project transmitted music and mathematical messages toward the system in 2017 using the EISCAT antenna at Ramfjordmoen, Norway.
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