Scientists have made an amazing discovery in astronomy that has sparked excitement.
Through a meticulous analysis of data, they have identified a planet located 1,200 light-years away, known as Kepler-442b, which holds the potential to be more habitable than Earth.
Scientists discovered potentially more habitable planet than Earth through data comparison
Kepler-442b was initially detected by NASA's Kepler spacecraft between 2009 and 2012.
It orbits within the habitable zone, also known as the "Goldilocks zone," of its host star Kepler-442.
This zone refers to the range of orbits around a star where conditions are considered suitable for the existence of liquid water, a crucial element for life as we know it.
The newfound planet, described as a super-Earth, possesses a mass and radius larger than our own planet but smaller than Uranus and Neptune.
With an equilibrium temperature of -40 degrees, it has been assigned a habitability rating of 0.836, surpassing Earth's rating of 0.829, according to a recently published paper in the Astrophysical Journal.
Scientists have created a new method to assess the habitability of planets like Kepler-442b.
They developed an index that takes into account different factors like transit data, properties of the host star, and limits on the amount of energy a planet emits.
This index helps them prioritize which planets to study more closely and explore further.
It becomes especially useful as the number of potential planets to investigate keeps growing.
Using this index, scientists can focus their efforts on planets that are more likely to be habitable, increasing our chances of discovering places where life could exist beyond Earth.
Even though Kepler-442b has a higher habitability rating than Earth, we still don't know for sure if it can support life.
Scientists haven't collected enough data about its atmosphere and surface conditions, which are crucial factors in determining a planet's suitability for life.
Without this information, it's difficult to determine if Kepler-442b can truly sustain living organisms.
Recent findings indicate that Mars is deemed unsafe for human habitation.
Despite NASA's efforts to send humans to the red planet, it has been discovered that prolonged exposure to radiation poses a significant threat.
Both particle radiation from the Sun and distant celestial bodies, such as stars and galaxies, contribute to this danger.
As a result, scientists have determined that no human could live on Mars for more than four years due to the potential health risks of radiation exposure.
