Astronomers found a Super-Earth that could potentially harbor liquid water and support life!
Astronomers found a Super-Earth that could potentially harbor liquid water and support life!
Named HD 20794 d, this exoplanet is six times Earth's mass and orbits a Sun-like star just 20 light-years away.
A Super-Earth is a planet larger than Earth but smaller than gas giants.
The discovery, first detected in 2022 using data from the HARPS spectrograph in Chile, has now been confirmed after two decades of observations. Scientists are particularly excited about its proximity to Earth, which could make it a prime candidate for future space missions seeking to capture direct images and detect biosignatures—chemical traces of life.
Despite its promising location in the habitable zone, HD 20794 d’s elliptical orbit raises questions about its ability to maintain stable conditions for life. However, its unusual characteristics make it an important target for future research. Dr. Michael Cretignier, the lead researcher, emphasized that this planet could play a pivotal role in the search for extraterrestrial life, offering new insights into planetary habitability. The findings, published in Astronomy & Astrophysics, mark a significant milestone in the hunt for Earth-like worlds beyond our solar system.
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~Hashem AG
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