New Super-Earth in La Palma: Discovery at Roque de los Muchachos Observatory

La Palma once again takes its place on the global astronomy map with the discovery of a New Super-Earth in La Palma, detected thanks to observations carried out at the Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos, part of the Observatorio de La Palma. This astronomical complex, one of the most important in the Northern Hemisphere, played a key role in identifying a new planet orbiting the star HD 176986, located about 91 light-years away.

The discovery was led by the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) and published in the scientific journal Astronomy and Astrophysics, one of the leading publications in astrophysics.

HD 176986: A Nearby Star with Three Planets

The image above is an artistic impression of the HD 176986 planetary system. It is not a real photograph, but a scientific illustration representing how the system might look. Credit: Gabriel Pérez Díaz (IAC).

HD 176986 is an orange dwarf star (K-type), slightly smaller and cooler than our Sun. At a distance of about 91 light-years, it is relatively close in astronomical terms.

This planetary system has been known since 2018, when an IAC-led study revealed two planets:

• HD 176986 b, with an orbital period of 6.5 days
• HD 176986 c, with an orbital period of 16.8 days

Now, an international research team has identified a third planet: a new super-Earth, bringing the total number of known planets in this system to three.

What Is a Super-Earth?

A super-Earth is an exoplanet with a mass greater than Earth’s but smaller than that of ice giants like Neptune. The term refers only to its size and mass — it does not automatically mean the planet is habitable.

What Does “Habitable” Really Mean?

When scientists speak about habitability, they do not mean confirmed life. Instead, they refer to the potential for conditions that could allow liquid water to exist on a planet’s surface — a key ingredient for life as we know it.

For a planet to be considered potentially habitable, several factors are important:

• It must orbit within the habitable zone of its star (not too close, not too far).
• Surface temperatures must allow liquid water.
• A suitable atmosphere should be present.
• The orbit must be stable over long timescales.

Space agencies such as NASA and European Space Agency actively study exoplanets to understand how common potentially habitable worlds might be in our galaxy.

In the case of HD 176986, the newly discovered planet is classified as a super-Earth, but this does not necessarily imply habitability.

The Role of the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo and HARPS-N

The crucial observations were made using the HARPS-N spectrograph installed at the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo (TNG), located at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory.

HARPS-N (High Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher – North) is one of the most precise instruments in the world for detecting exoplanets using the radial velocity method.

This technique measures tiny variations in a star’s motion caused by the gravitational pull of orbiting planets. These variations are incredibly small — yet detectable thanks to high-precision instruments like HARPS-N.

More technical information about HARPS-N can be found on the official IAC website:
https://www.iac.es/es/observatorios-de-canarias/telescopios-y-experimentos/high-accuracy-radial-velocity-planet-searcher

We have also previously covered HARPS-N and its work on our blog:
https://lapalmastars.com/tag/harps-n-2

The Importance of Long-Term Observations

One of the key messages of this study is the importance of long-term monitoring.

Small planets with longer orbital periods can take years to confirm. Continuous observation of HD 176986 allowed researchers to distinguish the planetary signal from the star’s natural activity — a challenging task when dealing with extremely subtle measurements.

Such research contributes to answering fundamental questions:

• How do planetary systems form?
• What types of planets are most common?
• How diverse are planetary systems across our galaxy?

Each new discovery expands our understanding of the architecture and evolution of planetary systems.

Can We See This Star from La Palma?

HD 176986 is too faint to be seen with the naked eye. However, during our stargazing tours and astrotourism experiences in La Palma, we explain:

• How exoplanets are detected.
• Which instruments operate at the Observatory of La Palma.
• The difference between professional research telescopes and amateur instruments.
• How to interpret the night sky like astronomers do.

The protected environment of the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory, combined with the Canary Islands Sky Law and La Palma’s exceptional atmospheric conditions, allows scientists to conduct world-class research.

And remember: the sky of La Palma is not only beautiful — it is scientifically extraordinary.

When you take part in an astrotourism experience in La Palma, you are observing the same sky used by professional astronomers to discover new worlds.

Experience the Sky Where New Worlds Are Discovered

If you would like to experience the night sky from one of the best astronomical locations on Earth, you are welcome to join our guided stargazing tours and astrotourism experiences in La Palma (LaPalmastars.com).

Here, under the same sky where new super-Earths are discovered, astronomy becomes more than something you read about — it becomes something you experience. ✨