Introverts, rejoice! A new earth is here for you…
Gone are the days when Elon Musk will plan his holidays on the moon or in space. Scientists have discovered a new ‘earth’ which possibly has the potential to support human life. So, pack your bags for your next trip to this star; here’s everything you need to know beforehand.
Scientists at the University of Oxford have found the closest Earth-like planet in our solar system and it has left the entire world of astronomy spellbound. Known as HD 20794 d, this newly discovered exoplanet is just next door if we look at it in cosmic terms. Yes, it is just 20 light-years away from our planet and surprisingly, there are chances that it has liquid water on its surface. The ‘Super-Earth’ is a massive exoplanet that could potentially host human life and researchers are busy scratching their heads learning more about the possibilities.
HD 20794 d is a planet 6 times the size of our Earth. It is orbiting a sun-like star in the solar system and it resides in the habitable zone of this ‘star’. This discovery is quite crucial and thrilling because life can only exist on a planet that has liquid water, and this new super planet might support extraterrestrial life on it. HD 20794 d was discovered in a fascinating story. It was first ‘spotted’ in 2022 by a PhD research assistant at the University of Oxford, Dr. Michael Cretignier. A team of international researchers then confirmed the planet’s existence after carrying out extensive examinations. But at last, it was joyfully made certain. But here’s a catch.
Although HD 20794 d might have liquid water for human survival, it is still not a cakewalk. What’s crucial for human existence is its orbit. Yes, the exoplanet has an unusual orbit wherein it follows an elliptical path unlike our Earth that has a circular orbit. This results in quite a farther distance of the planet from its star and the distance keeps varying significantly throughout the orbit. So, what has it got to do with human existence? Well, this variation in the distance causes extreme seasonal changes, which results in a big question mark on the planet’s habitability.
Dr. Cretignier, however, thinks that this new ‘world’ might be a crucial discovery supporting future space missions. It will help scientists and researchers looking for ‘signs of life’. HD 20794 d’s atmosphere will be the focus of study in the future missions to understand its potential to support human life. Its closeness to the Earth, though, makes it a prime target for these investigations.
