Summary
Astronomers might have found a new planet similar in size to Earth orbiting a star about 146 light-years away. The planet, named HD 137010 b, is very cold due to its star being cooler and dimmer than our Sun. More research is needed to confirm the discovery.
Key Facts
- The planet is called HD 137010 b and is an exoplanet candidate.
- It orbits a star similar to the Sun but cooler and dimmer.
- The planet's temperature might be around -90 degrees Fahrenheit.
- It could lie within a zone where liquid water can form, but its atmosphere must contain a lot of carbon dioxide to retain heat.
- HD 137010 b has a 40% chance of being in the "conservative" habitable zone and a 51% chance of being in a more "optimistic" habitable zone.
- It was identified using NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope data from a single "transit" event.
- Further observations are necessary to confirm if HD 137010 b is an actual planet.
