Archive · 31 Jan 2026
Astronomers Discover Earth-Like Planet Near Solar System
Scientists have found a new planet called HD 137010 b that is about 146 light-years away from Earth.
It is roughly the size of Earth, about 6% larger, and takes 355 days to go around its star.
The planet is special because it is close to our solar system and orbits a star similar to our Sun.
Scientists think it might be in a zone where life could exist, but it is very cold, similar to Mars.
The planet was discovered using data from a space telescope called Kepler.
A team of scientists and even some citizen scientists, including a high school student, helped find this planet.
They are excited because this planet could be studied further with new telescopes in the future.
Astronomers discovered an Earth-like planet, HD 137010 b, about 146 light-years away, 6% larger than Earth, with a 355-day orbit around a sun-like star.
The planet was found using data from NASA's Kepler Space Telescope's extended mission, K2, observed in 2017.
An international team of scientists, including Dr. Chelsea Huang and Dr. Alexander Weiner, made the discovery with help from citizen scientists.
HD 137010 b has a 50% chance of being in its star's habitable zone, with surface temperatures potentially below -70°C, similar to Mars.
The planet could be visible with next-generation telescopes, making it a prime target for future observation.
- Who
- International team of scientists from Australia, the UK, the US, and Denmark, including Dr. Chelsea Huang and Dr. Alexander Weiner
- What
- Discovery of an Earth-like planet, HD 137010 b, with conditions similar to Mars
- When
- Planet observed in 2017, research published this week
- Where
- 146 light-years away from Earth, orbiting a sun-like star
- Why
- To search for potentially habitable planets and understand planetary systems
- Planet Name
- HD 137010 b
- Distance from Earth
- 146 light-years
- Size Comparison to Earth
- 6% larger
- Orbital Period
- 355 days
- Discovery Method
- Transit method using Kepler Space Telescope data
- Discovery Year
- 2017
- Research Publication
- Astrophysical Journal Letters
- Surface Temperature Estimate
- Similar to Mars, potentially below -70°C