Space Exploration News


NASA Announces Discovery of New Exoplanet in Habitable Zone

Science & Technology

Artist's concept of newly discovered exoplanet

Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery in the search for habitable worlds beyond our solar system. A new exoplanet has been identified orbiting within the habitable zone of its host star, where conditions could potentially support liquid water.

The planet, designated K2-18b, is located approximately 124 light-years from Earth in the constellation Leo. Observations suggest it’s a super-Earth with a radius about 2.7 times that of our planet and a mass roughly 8.6 times greater.

Key Facts About K2-18b

  • Distance from Earth: 124 light-years
  • Orbital period: 33 days
  • Planet type: Super-Earth
  • Host star: K2-18 (red dwarf)
  • Surface temperature: Estimated -73°C to 47°C

Advanced spectroscopic analysis has revealed the presence of water vapor in the planet’s atmosphere, marking the first time atmospheric water has been detected on a planet within its star’s habitable zone. This finding significantly increases the possibility that K2-18b could support some form of life.

“This represents a major step forward in our search for potentially habitable worlds,” stated the research team. “While we cannot yet determine if life exists on K2-18b, the presence of water vapor and the planet’s location in the habitable zone make it one of the most promising targets for future study.”

The discovery was made using data from the Hubble Space Telescope, combined with advanced computer modeling techniques. Researchers analyzed starlight filtering through the planet’s atmosphere during transits to identify the chemical signatures of water molecules.

Hubble Space Telescope in orbit

Future observations with the James Webb Space Telescope, scheduled for launch next year, are expected to provide even more detailed information about K2-18b’s atmosphere and potential surface conditions.

This discovery comes as part of an ongoing survey of exoplanets around red dwarf stars, which are the most common type of star in our galaxy. Scientists estimate there could be billions of potentially habitable planets orbiting these stars throughout the Milky Way.


Hubble Space Telescope

The Hubble Space Telescope is a powerful orbital observatory launched by NASA in 1990. It was named after astronomer Edwin Hubble and has revolutionized astronomy by providing incredibly clear and deep images of the universe, free from the distortion of Earth’s atmosphere. Despite a flawed mirror initially requiring a servicing mission to correct, Hubble has made countless discoveries, from determining the age of the universe to observing distant galaxies.

James Webb Space Telescope

The James Webb Space Telescope is a large infrared space observatory launched in 2021 as the scientific successor to the Hubble Space Telescope. Developed by NASA with its partners, the ESA and CSA, it is designed to look further back in time to observe the first galaxies that formed in the early universe. Located a million miles from Earth, its revolutionary design allows it to study every phase of cosmic history.

Milky Way

The Milky Way is the name of our home galaxy, a vast barred spiral system containing hundreds of billions of stars, including our Sun. The term originates from Greek mythology, where it was seen as a river of spilled milk from the goddess Hera. It has been observed and interpreted by various cultures throughout history, long before its galactic nature was confirmed by astronomers like Galileo.