Archive · 28 Jan 2026
Scientists Find Potentially Habitable Earth-Like Planet
Scientists in Australia have found a new planet that might be like Earth.
It's called HD 137010 b and is about 150 light-years away.
This planet is a bit bigger than Earth and orbits a star like our Sun.
Scientists think it might be cold, like Mars, but it's in a place where water could exist as a liquid, which is important for life.
They need to study it more to be sure, but it's an exciting discovery because it could help us find life beyond Earth.
Scientists discovered a potentially habitable Earth-sized planet candidate, HD 137010 b, about 150 light-years from Earth.
The planet is 6% larger than Earth and orbits a Sun-like star, earning the nickname 'where Earth meets Mars'.
Researchers believe it could be colder than Mars but is in a habitable zone where liquid water might exist.
The discovery was published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters on January 27 by a team from Australia's University of Southern Queensland.
Further observations are needed to confirm the planet's status and understand its mass and atmospheric conditions.
- Who
- Scientists from Australia's University of Southern Queensland
- What
- Discovered a potentially habitable Earth-sized planet candidate, HD 137010 b
- When
- January 27, 2024
- Where
- 150 light-years from Earth
- Why
- To search for extraterrestrial life and understand planetary habitability
- Planet Name
- HD 137010 b
- Distance from Earth
- 150 light-years
- Size Comparison to Earth
- 6% larger
- Host Star Type
- Sun-like
- Discovery Team
- University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ)
- Publication Date
- January 27
- Publication Journal
- Astrophysical Journal Letters
- Habitability Chance
- 50%