Earth-Sized World With Potential For Life Discovered Just 40 Light-Years Away
NDTV
Astronomers have discovered Gliese 12 b, an exoplanet potentially habitable due to its size and temperature similarity to Earth and Venus.
Astronomers have discovered a potentially habitable exoplanet, Gliese 12 b, located 40 light-years away in the constellation Pisces. The finding, detailed in a new paper published today in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, has scientists excited about the possibility of life beyond our solar system.
As per the research paper, Gliese 12 b is slightly smaller than Earth and similar in size to Venus. With an estimated surface temperature of 107 degrees Fahrenheit (42 degrees Celsius), it's warmer than Earth's average but cooler than many other exoplanets. This temperature range raises the possibility of liquid water existing on the planet's surface, a key ingredient for life as we know it.
However, the big question remains: does Gliese 12 b have an atmosphere? The planet could have an Earth-like atmosphere, making it a potential haven for life. But it could also have a scorching atmosphere like Venus, or no atmosphere at all. The possibility of an entirely different kind of atmosphere is also on the table.
