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Earth remains our only accessible home, but Kepler-442b, Teegarden b, TOI 700 d, and LHS 1140 b draw attention for combining rare characteristics such as a habitable zone, rocky composition, possible liquid water, and cooler, more stable stars
Scientists have identified 4 potentially more habitable planets than Earth, all outside the Solar System and located between 12.5 and 1,200 light-years away. These worlds, known as exoplanets, draw attention because they may combine conditions considered essential for life, such as liquid water, a rocky surface, stable climate, and milder temperatures.
The planets mentioned are Kepler-442b, Teegarden b, TOI 700 d, and LHS 1140 b. They orbit stars smaller and cooler than the Sun, are in habitable zones, and in some cases, have sizes and masses similar to Earth’s. The major obstacle is that even the closest ones are still separated by enormous distances, making any attempt at colonization impossible with current technology.
Earth is used as a comparison to measure if a planet can be habitable
To assess whether a planet can harbor life, scientists observe if it is in its star’s so-called habitable zone. This is the range of distance where the planet is neither too hot nor too cold, allowing for the possible existence of liquid water on its surface.
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Earth serves as the main reference in this comparison. In addition to the correct distance from the star, factors such as the presence of an atmosphere, rocky composition, and orbital stability are included in the analysis. Gaseous planets, like Jupiter, do not offer a solid surface similar to Earth’s.
Another criterion mentioned is the ESI, Earth Similarity Index. The closer to 1, the greater the planet’s similarity to our world and, theoretically, the greater its habitability potential.
Kepler-442b is 1,200 light-years away and may have a more stable climate than Earth
The first highlight is Kepler-442b, located about 1,200 light-years from Earth, in the constellation Lyra. It was discovered in 2015 by NASA’s Kepler mission, created to detect exoplanets with habitable characteristics.
Kepler-442b orbits a K-type orange dwarf star, smaller and cooler than the Sun. This type of star can live for tens of billions of years, offering more time for biological processes to evolve and less exposure to aggressive radiation.
The planet receives about 70% of the light Earth receives from the Sun, is in the habitable zone, and may have suitable temperatures for liquid water. It has about 1.34 times Earth’s radius and an estimated mass of up to 2.3 times Earth’s, classifying it as a rocky super-Earth.
Teegarden b is only 12.5 light-years away and is similar in size to Earth
Teegarden b is one of the most impressive cases due to its relative proximity. It is 12.5 light-years from Earth, in the constellation Aries, orbiting a small red dwarf star called Teegarden’s Star.
The discovery was announced in 2019 by European astronomers, using the radial velocity method. This method identifies small gravitational oscillations caused by the planet on its star.
Teegarden b has a mass and radius very similar to Earth’s. Therefore, it is described as an exoterra, meaning an exoplanet that combines a habitable zone, size, density, and gravity close to those of our planet.
Even orbiting very close to its star, at about 0.025 astronomical units, this distance may be adequate because the star is much less energetic than the Sun. Its year lasts only 4.9 Earth days.
TOI 700 d was found by NASA and may retain liquid water in different scenarios
TOI 700 d was discovered in January 2020 by NASA’s TESS space telescope. It drew attention for being an Earth-sized planet located in its star’s habitable zone.
The star TOI 700 is a red dwarf about 40% the size and mass of the Sun. As it emits less energy, nearby planets can still remain in a suitable range for temperatures compatible with liquid water.
TOI 700 d is about 1.14 times the size of Earth and is considered a rocky planet, possibly a light super-Earth. Its year lasts 37 Earth days.
Climate models made by NASA scientists simulated different atmospheres and oceans for TOI 700 d. Some scenarios indicate that it could retain liquid water on its surface, especially if it had a dense atmosphere with gases like carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and water vapor.
LHS 1140 b may hide abundant water 49 light-years from Earth
LHS 1140 b was discovered in 2017 and is approximately 49 light-years from Earth, in the constellation Cetus. It orbits an M-type red dwarf star, smaller, cooler, and longer-lived than the Sun.
The planet was identified by the transit method, when it passes in front of its star and causes a slight drop in observed brightness. Afterwards, radial velocity measurements helped estimate its mass.
LHS 1140 b is about 1.7 times the radius of Earth and almost 7 times more massive, being classified as a dense, rocky super-Earth. Surface gravity could be almost three times that of Earth, which would be a challenge for humans.
Even so, the planet remains within the habitable zone and may have a thick atmosphere capable of balancing temperatures and protecting the surface. According to the data, it may hide an essential element: abundant water.
Why we don’t yet live on these potentially better planets than Earth
The answer is simple and frustrating: distance still makes everything unfeasible. Even the closest planet on the list, Teegarden b, is 12.5 light-years from Earth, an impossible scale for human travel with current technology.
To reach these worlds, it would be necessary to develop spacecraft capable of traveling at fractions of the speed of light. Furthermore, it would be necessary to keep humans alive for decades or centuries in space.
There is also no certainty that these planets actually have life. What exists are indications of habitability, based on distance from the star, size, mass, composition, and the possibility of liquid water.
What this means for the search for life beyond Earth
The discovery of these 4 planets does not mean that humanity has found a new home ready to be occupied. What it shows is that Earth may not be the only world with conditions favorable to life.
Kepler-442b, Teegarden b, TOI 700 d, and LHS 1140 b help scientists understand where to look for signs of life in the universe. They also reinforce a powerful idea: rocky planets, in habitable zones and with the potential for liquid water, may be more common than previously thought.
Still, for now, Earth remains the only accessible and demonstrably habitable planet for us. These worlds continue to be fascinating scientific targets, but too distant for any real colonization plan.
Do you believe any of these planets could truly harbor life beyond Earth? Leave your answer in the comments.
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