The discovery was made based on data collected by NASA's Kepler space telescope during the K2 mission, which began in 2017. Research showed that the new object is only 6% larger than Earth, and its orbital period is 355 days. Scientists estimate that the likelihood of HD 137010 b being in the "habitable zone"—the area where water can exist in liquid form—is about 50%.
Despite some similarities to Earth, conditions on the planet may be much harsher. The parent star of the exoplanet resembles our Sun but is less bright and cooler.
Researchers note that the temperature on the surface of HD 137010 b is likely close to that of Mars and could drop to -70 degrees Celsius.
Dr. Sarah Webb from Swinburne University of Technology suggests that there may be a significant amount of water on the planet, although most of it could be in frozen form.
According to Dr. Chelsea Huang from the University of Southern Queensland, the significance of this discovery lies in the proximity and brightness of the star, which is located about 150 light-years from Earth. In comparison, the previously known closest exoplanet, Kepler-186f, is four times farther away and nearly 20 times less bright. This will allow scientists in the future to study the atmosphere and living conditions on the new planet in detail using next-generation telescopes.
