{"id":153170,"date":"2025-10-30T10:57:07","date_gmt":"2025-10-30T10:57:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/153170\/"},"modified":"2025-10-30T10:57:07","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T10:57:07","slug":"super-earth-18-light-years-away-sparks-hope-for-life-in-space","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/153170\/","title":{"rendered":"Super-Earth 18 light-years away sparks hope for life in space"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/GJ251c-exoplanet-super-Earth-October-23-2025.png\" alt=\"Super-Earth: Bluish planet with clouds on the left and bright reddish star on the right. A smaller planet or moon is between them.\" width=\"800\" height=\"553\" class=\"size-full wp-image-526100\"  \/><a href=\"https:\/\/psu-gatsby-files-prod.s3.amazonaws.com\/s3fs-public\/styles\/4_3_1500w\/public\/2025\/10\/planet-sized-uci.png?h=19ad3fdd&amp;itok=I7HCB8Jh\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">View larger<\/a>. | Artist\u2019s concept of GJ 251 c, a potentially habitable world, a <a href=\"https:\/\/earthsky.org\/space\/super-earth-mini-neptune-and-sub-neptune-exoplanets-definitions\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">super-Earth<\/a> type <a href=\"https:\/\/earthsky.org\/astronomy-essentials\/what-are-exoplanets\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">exoplanet<\/a> only <a href=\"https:\/\/earthsky.org\/astronomy-essentials\/how-far-is-a-light-year\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">18 light-years<\/a> away. It orbits in the <a href=\"https:\/\/exoplanets.nasa.gov\/search-for-life\/habitable-zone\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">habitable zone<\/a> of its <a href=\"https:\/\/earthsky.org\/astronomy-essentials\/what-is-a-red-dwarf-star-most-common\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">red dwarf star<\/a>. Read <a href=\"https:\/\/earthsky.org\/space\/habitable-zone-world-exoplanet-definition\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">what \u201chabitable\u201d means to astronomers<\/a>. Image via Michael Marcheschi \/ m2design\/ <a href=\"https:\/\/news.uci.edu\/2025\/10\/23\/uc-irvine-astronomers-discover-nearby-exoplanet-in-habitable-zone\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">University of California Irvine<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/helpsupportearthsky.org\/2025-donation-campaign\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Millions come to EarthSky for night sky news and trusted science.<\/strong><br \/>Your donation keeps us free and accessible for all.<\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>GJ 251 c is a super-Earth exoplanet<\/strong> 18 light-years from Earth. It is one of two known planets in its planetary system.<\/li>\n<li><strong>It could be potentially habitable,<\/strong> meaning \u2013 to an astronomer \u2013 its physical conditions might allow life, perhaps <a href=\"https:\/\/hmnh.harvard.edu\/microbial-life-universe-edge-sight\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">microbial life<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The planet is an ideal target for future observations<\/strong> with existing and new telescopes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Meet super-Earth GJ 251 c<\/p>\n<p>Astronomers have discovered another potentially habitable <a href=\"https:\/\/earthsky.org\/astronomy-essentials\/what-are-exoplanets\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">exoplanet<\/a> orbiting a nearby star. A team of researchers, led by the University of California Irvine, <a href=\"https:\/\/news.uci.edu\/2025\/10\/23\/uc-irvine-astronomers-discover-nearby-exoplanet-in-habitable-zone\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">said<\/a> on October 23, 2025, that the planet \u2013 GJ 251 c \u2013 is in the <a href=\"https:\/\/exoplanets.nasa.gov\/search-for-life\/habitable-zone\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">habitable zone<\/a> of its <a href=\"https:\/\/earthsky.org\/astronomy-essentials\/what-is-a-red-dwarf-star-most-common\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">red dwarf<\/a> star, <a href=\"https:\/\/earthsky.org\/astronomy-essentials\/how-far-is-a-light-year\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">18 light-years<\/a> away. The habitable zone is the region of space around a star in which liquid water might exist. This newly discovered planet is likely rocky, like Earth. But it\u2019s about four times more massive: hence, a <a href=\"https:\/\/earthsky.org\/space\/super-earth-mini-neptune-and-sub-neptune-exoplanets-definitions\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">super-Earth<\/a>. It orbits its star every 54 days.<\/p>\n<p>The researchers used the Habitable Zone Planet Finder (<a href=\"https:\/\/hpf.psu.edu\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">HPF<\/a>) instrument on the <a href=\"https:\/\/mcdonaldobservatory.org\/research\/telescopes\/HET\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Hobby-Eberly Telescope<\/a> at the McDonald Observatory in Texas. They further confirmed the discovery with the <a href=\"https:\/\/exoplanets.psu.edu\/a-journey-of-exoplanet-discovery-begins-as-penn-states-neid-spectrometer-starts-its-scientific-mission\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">NEID<\/a> spectrometer on a telescope at the Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona.<\/p>\n<p>In the habitable zone, temperatures on a rocky planet could allow liquid water to exist, depending on other conditions as well.<\/p>\n<p>The new discovery is <a href=\"https:\/\/journals.aas.org\/professional-and-ethical-standards-for-the-aas-journals\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">peer-reviewed<\/a> and The Astronomical Journal <a href=\"https:\/\/iopscience.iop.org\/article\/10.3847\/1538-3881\/ae0e20\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">published<\/a> it on October 23, 2025.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/earthsky.org\/space\/habitable-zone-world-exoplanet-definition\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Read more: Here\u2019s what \u201chabitable\u201d means to astronomers<\/a><\/p>\n<p>An exciting new discovery<\/p>\n<p>The discovery is just the latest of a potentially <a href=\"https:\/\/earthsky.org\/space\/habitable-zone-world-exoplanet-definition\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">habitable<\/a> exoplanet. But GJ 251 c is exciting because it is ideal for follow-up studies by other telescopes. And its closeness at only 18 light-years makes that task easier. Co-author <a href=\"https:\/\/faculty.sites.uci.edu\/robertson\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Paul Robertson<\/a> at UC Irvine <a href=\"https:\/\/news.uci.edu\/2025\/10\/23\/uc-irvine-astronomers-discover-nearby-exoplanet-in-habitable-zone\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">said<\/a>:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>We have found so many exoplanets at this point that discovering a new one is not such a big deal. What makes this especially valuable is that its host star is close by, at just about 18 light-years away. Cosmically speaking, it\u2019s practically next door.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Radial velocity method<\/p>\n<p>The researchers found the planet using the <a href=\"https:\/\/lco.global\/spacebook\/exoplanets\/radial-velocity-method\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">radial velocity method<\/a>. Simply put, that\u2019s when astronomers can detect a planet because its gravity tugs slightly on the star and that \u201cwobble\u201d can be measured. But more is still needed to learn more about this world, however. As lead author <a href=\"https:\/\/ps.uci.edu\/news\/3124\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Corey Beard<\/a>, an astrophysicist at the University of California Irvine noted:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>We are at the cutting edge of technology and analysis methods with this system. While its discovery is quite statistically significant, we are still determining the status of the planet due to the uncertainty of our instruments and methods. We need the next generation of telescopes to directly image this candidate, but what we also need is community investment.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>In addition, the researchers used the radial velocity measurements of another inner planet, GJ 251 b, as a baseline.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Corey-Beard-UC-Irvine.jpg\" alt=\"Smiling man with scruffy beard and moustache, wearing a dark blue shirt.\" width=\"500\" height=\"564\" class=\"size-full wp-image-526112\"  \/>Astrophysicist <a href=\"https:\/\/ps.uci.edu\/news\/3124\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Corey Beard<\/a> at the University of California Irvine is the lead author of the new paper about the discovery of GJ 251 c. Image via Lucas Van Wyk Joel\/ <a href=\"https:\/\/ps.uci.edu\/news\/3124\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">UC Irvine<\/a>.<br \/>\nSuper-Earth 18-light-years away \u2026 and habitable?<\/p>\n<p>So, is GJ 251 c habitable? We don\u2019t know yet. The researchers said it is potentially habitable since it is rocky and in the habitable zone of its star. Yet there is still a lot we don\u2019t know about it. Co-author <a href=\"https:\/\/science.psu.edu\/astro\/people\/sqm107\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Suvrath Mahadevan<\/a> at Pennsylvania State University <a href=\"https:\/\/www.psu.edu\/news\/research\/story\/newly-discovered-super-earth-offers-prime-target-search-alien-life\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">said<\/a>:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>We look for these types of planets because they are our best chance at finding life elsewhere. The exoplanet is in the habitable or the \u2018Goldilocks Zone,\u2019 the right distance from its star that liquid water could exist on its surface, if it has the right atmosphere.<\/p>\n<p>We call it the Habitable Zone Planet Finder, because we are looking for worlds that are at the right distance from their star that liquid water could exist on their surface. This has been the central goal of that survey. This discovery represents one of the best candidates in the search for atmospheric signature of life elsewhere in the next five to 10 years.<\/p>\n<p>While we can\u2019t yet confirm the presence of an atmosphere or life on GJ 251 c, the planet represents a promising target for future exploration. We made an exciting discovery, but there\u2019s still much more to learn about this planet.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Habitable-Zone-Planet-Finder-Penn-State-October-23-2025.jpg\" alt=\"Long rectangular metallic container with various boxes and instruments inside it.\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" class=\"size-full wp-image-526117\"  \/><a href=\"https:\/\/psu-gatsby-files-prod.s3.amazonaws.com\/s3fs-public\/styles\/4_3_2000w\/public\/2025\/10\/hpf_low2-sized.jpg?h=19ad3fdd&amp;itok=A_VuRxuP\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">View larger<\/a>. | The <a href=\"https:\/\/hpf.psu.edu\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Habitable Zone Planet Finder<\/a> instrument on the <a href=\"https:\/\/mcdonaldobservatory.org\/research\/telescopes\/HET\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Hobby-Eberly Telescope<\/a> at the McDonald Observatory in Texas. Image via Gu\u00f0mundur Stef\u00e1nssonn\/ <a href=\"https:\/\/www.psu.edu\/news\/research\/story\/newly-discovered-super-earth-offers-prime-target-search-alien-life\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Penn State<\/a>.<br \/>\nA prime target for future observations<\/p>\n<p>GJ 251 c is ideal for follow-up observations on other telescopes. As the paper <a href=\"https:\/\/iopscience.iop.org\/article\/10.3847\/1538-3881\/ae0e20\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">notes<\/a>:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>GJ 251\u2019s proximity to Earth and its favorable spectral type make it a prime target for future direct imaging missions on next generation telescopes, and it is a particularly valuable northern target.<\/p>\n<p>Because GJ 251 c orbits in the habitable zone of a nearby star, it is likely one of the most promising places to search for biosignatures with next generation telescopes. We show using climate simulations that temperate surface conditions could exist on GJ 251 c, and we highlight spectral features that may be observed via direct imaging.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/science.psu.edu\/astro\/people\/ebf11\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Eric Ford<\/a> at Penn State\u2019s Institute of Computational &amp; Data Sciences (ICDS) added:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>The combination of exquisite data and state-of-the art statistical methods enabled our interdisciplinary team to transform data into an exciting discovery that paves the way for future observatories to search for evidence of life beyond our solar system.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Until then, current telescopes and instruments like the Habitable Zone Planet Finder are already helping to find potentially habitable worlds around other stars.<\/p>\n<p>Bottom line: Astronomers have found a new super-Earth 18 light-years away. Exoplanet GJ 251 c is both nearby and in the habitable zone of its star.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/iopscience.iop.org\/article\/10.3847\/1538-3881\/ae0e20\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Source: Discovery of a Nearby Habitable Zone Super-Earth Candidate Amenable to Direct Imaging<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/news.uci.edu\/2025\/10\/23\/uc-irvine-astronomers-discover-nearby-exoplanet-in-habitable-zone\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Via University of California, Irvine<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.psu.edu\/news\/research\/story\/newly-discovered-super-earth-offers-prime-target-search-alien-life\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Via Pennsylvania State University<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/earthsky.org\/space\/ocean-world-lhs-1140-b-exoplanets-astrobiology\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Read more: Eyeball ocean world? Webb reveals an intriguing super-Earth<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/earthsky.org\/space\/super-earths-may-have-long-lasting-oceans\/\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Read more: Super-Earths may have long-lasting oceans<\/a><\/p>\n<p>                    Paul Scott Anderson<br \/>\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/earthsky.org\/author\/paul-scott-anderson\/\" class=\"post-author-link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">View Articles<\/a><\/p>\n<p>                    About the Author:<\/p>\n<p>Paul Scott Anderson has had a passion for space exploration that began when he was a child when he watched Carl Sagan\u2019s Cosmos. He studied English, writing, art and computer\/publication design in high school and college. He later started his blog The Meridiani Journal in 2005, which was later renamed Planetaria. He also later started the blog Fermi Paradoxica, about the search for life elsewhere in the universe.&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<br \/>\nWhile interested in all aspects of space exploration, his primary passion is planetary science and SETI. In 2011, he started writing about space on a freelance basis with Universe Today. He has also written for SpaceFlight Insider and AmericaSpace and has also been published in The Mars Quarterly. He also did some supplementary writing for the iOS app Exoplanet.&#13;<br \/>\n&#13;<br \/>\nHe has been writing for EarthSky since 2018, and also assists with proofing and social media.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"View larger. | Artist\u2019s concept of GJ 251 c, a potentially habitable world, a super-Earth type exoplanet only&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":153171,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[77],"tags":[18,6123,85080,89718,19,17,133,451],"class_list":{"0":"post-153170","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-science","8":"tag-eire","9":"tag-exoplanets","10":"tag-gj-251-c","11":"tag-habitable-world","12":"tag-ie","13":"tag-ireland","14":"tag-science","15":"tag-space"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@ie\/115462763098413931","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/153170","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=153170"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/153170\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/153171"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=153170"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=153170"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=153170"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}