{"id":319666,"date":"2026-02-04T11:21:18","date_gmt":"2026-02-04T11:21:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/319666\/"},"modified":"2026-02-04T11:21:18","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T11:21:18","slug":"did-nasa-just-find-ets-home-scientists-detect-an-earth-like-planet-orbiting-a-sun-like-star","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/319666\/","title":{"rendered":"Did NASA Just Find ET’s Home? Scientists Detect an Earth-like Planet Orbiting a Sun-like Star"},"content":{"rendered":"

NASA scientists have announced the detection of an Earth-like planet<\/a> orbiting a Sun-like star<\/a> with a size and orbital period similar to Earth\u2019s. Dubbed HD 137010 b, the newly spotted exoplanet<\/a> may also lie within the star\u2019s habitable zone<\/a>, adding to its list of similarities to Earth.<\/p>\n

Although future observations are needed to confirm the candidate Earth-like planet\u2019s<\/a> existence, the quality of data originally captured over a decade ago by the Kepler Space Telescope<\/a> has the research team behind the discovery optimistic about any potential follow-up studies.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the first planet candidate with Earth-like radius and orbital properties transiting a Sun-like star bright enough for substantial follow-up observations,\u201d they explain in their recently published study.<\/p>\n

Elusive Search for Earth-like Planets in Habitable Zone of Sun-like Stars<\/strong><\/p>\n

According to a NASA statement<\/a>, a team led by astrophysics Ph.D. student Alexander Venner of the University of Southern Queensland, Australia, began searching for Earth-like exoplanets orbiting Sun-like stars within the habitable zone (HZ) by taking a fresh look at Kepler data captured during its 4-year operational period.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe search for Earth-sized exoplanets in the HZs of Sun-like stars was \u201cthe core scientific aim\u201d of the Kepler mission,\u201d the NASA statement explains.<\/p>\n

During its \u2018quasi-continuous\u2019 northern sky observation period, Kepler made several key discoveries, including the first potential Earth-sized HZ planet orbiting a Sun-like star. However, the researchers note, the majority of the stars targeted during the Kepler mission were faint. As a result, detecting these planets as they pass in front of their host star (the transit method) lies \u201cclose to the detection limits\u201d for Sun-like exoplanets.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe validity of some of these planets has been questioned,\u201d the study authors note, adding that the lack of data was \u201cexacerbated\u201d by Kepler\u2019s premature demise at the end of 2013 due to instrument failure.<\/p>\n

Now, Venner and colleagues have employed new techniques to reanalyze data collected during Kepler\u2019s operational period, resulting in a planet candidate similar to Earth in several critical ways.<\/p>\n

New Analysis and Observations \u2018Strongly Indicate\u2019 Astrophysical Event<\/strong><\/p>\n

During the search, the team spotted the tell-tale signs of a planetary transit around a Sun-like star roughly 146 light-years from Earth. Although the signal strength of the candidate planet was comparatively shallow, the researcher said it was detected at a high signal-to-noise ratio \u201cthanks to the exceptionally high photometric precision\u201d of the observation.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur analysis of the K2 photometry, historical and new imaging observations, and archival radial velocities and astrometry strongly indicate that the event was astrophysical, occurred on-target, and can be best explained by a transiting planet candidate, which we designate HD 137010 b,\u201d they write.<\/p>\n

Further analysis revealed a planet transiting across its star\u2019s face for approximately 10 hours. For comparison, an Earth transit to an outside observer would take around 13 hours.<\/p>\n

To exclude false positives that can mimic the presence of a planet, the team said they performed a \u201ccomprehensive analysis of the K2 observations, historical low-resolution imaging and new high-resolution speckle imaging data, archival HARPS RVs, and Hipparcos\u2013Gaia astrometry,\u201d resulting in a transiting exoplanet as the \u2018most plausible explanation\u2019 for Kepler\u2019s detected signal.<\/p>\n

New Planet Shares Several Features with Earth<\/strong><\/p>\n

Along with a similar orbit to Earth, which models suggest the new planet 355 takes days to complete, the new analysis found numerous other striking similarities. For example, the planet is likely only a few percent larger than Earth. It is also orbiting a star similar to ours. The majority of Earth-sized exoplanets have been discovered orbiting much dimmer red and brown dwarf stars, and few of those have an orbital period close to Earth\u2019s. If confirmed, the new candidate planet would be the first to boast all three characteristics.<\/p>\n

Another potential similarity to Earth that requires further analysis involves the possibility that it lies within its host star\u2019s habitable zone. A star\u2019s habitable zone is defined as an orbital distance where life-sustaining liquid water can exist on an orbiting planet\u2019s surface.<\/p>\n

When modelling the star\u2019s habitable zone, the researchers suggested that its slight dimness compared to our Sun (about 80%) may mean the new planet\u2019s average surface temperature is closer to that of Mars. Specifically, they note that the planet\u2019s surface high could be \u201cno higher than minus 90 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 68 degrees Celsius).\u201d For comparison, the average surface temperature on Mars is about minus 85 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 65 degrees Celsius).<\/p>\n

Still, the researchers say many of their models suggest the planet could still have liquid water on its surface. For example, if HD 137010 b has an atmosphere richer in carbon dioxide than Earth, it could maintain surface liquid water.<\/p>\n

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After modelling the possibilities, the team gave their new planet a 40% of falling within the conservative estimate of the star\u2019s habitable zone. When they expanded that to include the \u201coptimistic\u201d habitable zone, the odds increased to 51%.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe estimate that the planet candidate receives a low incident flux, which may place it near the outer edge of the HZ, or potentially even beyond,\u201d they explained.<\/p>\n

A Small Milestone in the Search for Earth-like Exoplanets<\/strong><\/p>\n

Due to the planet\u2019s nearly year-long orbit, follow-up observations that could confirm its presence and further characterize its composition and orbit are not likely to come soon. For example, the team notes that finding the types of planets that share so many similarities with Earth is \u201clargely beyond the reach\u201d of NASA\u2019s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS).<\/p>\n

The team also suggested that the European Space Agency\u2019s CHEOPS (CHaracterising ExOPlanets Satellite) could confirm the discovery. If not, NASA said that gathering any additional data on HD 137010 b \u201cmight have to wait for the next generation of space telescopes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the near future, missions such as PLATO and Earth 2.0 aim to detect Earth-sized planets orbiting in the HZs of Sun-like stars through a Kepler-like \u2018stare\u2019 observing strategy,\u201d the research team writes. \u201cIf past Kepler results provide a comparable benchmark, the detection of planets with Earth-like orbital periods will require several years of observations.\u201d<\/p>\n

When discussing the implications of locating an exoplanet with an unprecedented number of similarities to Earth, the researchers said their finding represents a \u2018significant addition\u2019 to the relatively small sample of previously discovered cool Earth-sized exoplanets, and \u201cpresents a small milestone in the search for Earth-like exoplanets around nearby Sun-like stars.\u201d<\/p>\n

The study \u201cA Cool Earth-sized Planet Candidate Transiting a Tenth Magnitude K-dwarf From K2<\/a>\u201d was published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters.<\/p>\n

Christopher Plain is a Science Fiction and Fantasy novelist and Head Science Writer at The Debrief. Follow and connect with him on <\/strong>X<\/strong><\/a>, learn about his books at <\/strong>plainfiction.com<\/strong><\/a>, or email him directly at <\/strong>christopher@thedebrief.org<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

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