description Teegarden's Star Overview
Teegarden's Star is an M-type red dwarf star situated approximately 12.5 light-years from the Solar System in the constellation Aries. Classified as an ultra-cool dwarf, it is exceptionally faint and was only discovered in 2003 despite its close proximity to Earth. In 2019, an astronomical team utilizing the CARMENES spectrograph announced the discovery of two Earth-mass exoplanets orbiting the star within its habitable zone. Due to the star's age and stability, its planetary system is considered a highly relevant subject for studying the atmospheric conditions necessary to support liquid water.
help Teegarden's Star FAQ
How close is Teegarden's Star to Earth?
Teegarden's Star lies about 12.5 light-years away in the direction of Aries. Despite being nearby, it is too faint to see with the unaided eye because it is a small, cool red dwarf.
What planets orbit Teegarden's Star?
A German-led team announced two roughly Earth-mass planets, Teegarden b and Teegarden c, in 2019. They were detected through radial-velocity measurements rather than by watching the planets cross the star.
Could Teegarden b support liquid water?
Teegarden b receives enough stellar energy to make surface liquid water conceivable under some atmospheric conditions. Its actual atmosphere, climate and water inventory have not been established, so "potentially habitable" describes orbital conditions rather than confirmed life-friendly terrain.
Why was Teegarden's Star discovered so recently despite being nearby?
The star emits very little visible light and has high proper motion across the sky, making it easy to overlook in older surveys. It was identified in 2003 through a search of existing astronomical data.
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