Washington, D.C.: In a groundbreaking revelation, NASA scientists have identified a ‘super-Earth,’ a celestial body with the potential to sustain life. Named TOI-715 b, this planet resides 137 light-years away and boasts a diameter approximately one and a half times that of Earth. Orbiting within the conservative habitable zone of its parent star, it holds the promise of possessing the right conditions for liquid water to exist on its surface, according to NASA reports.
NASA’s detailed report emphasizes, “Several other factors would have to line up, of course, for surface water to be present, especially having a suitable atmosphere. But the conservative habitable zone – a narrower and potentially more robust definition than the broader ‘optimistic’ habitable zone – puts it in prime position, at least by the rough measurements made so far. The smaller planet could be only slightly larger than Earth and also might dwell just inside the conservative habitable zone.”
TOI-715 b’s parent star is a red dwarf, characterized by its smaller and cooler nature compared to the Sun. Red dwarfs are presently the most promising candidates for discovering habitable worlds. Their smaller and colder attributes allow planets to orbit closer while remaining within the star’s habitable zone, making them potentially conducive to life.
As per NASA, “The tighter orbits also mean those that cross the faces of their stars – that is, when viewed by our space telescopes – cross far more often. In the case of planet b, that’s once every 19 days, a ‘year’ on this strange world.”
TOI-175 b has earned a spot on the list of planets within the habitable zone that the Webb telescope could closely examine, potentially revealing clues about its atmosphere. Much hinges on the additional characteristics of the planet.
