New Earth-Sized Planet HD 137010 b Found 146 Light-Years Away May Be Colder Than Mars

A new planet candidate, HD 137010 b, is Earth-sized but may be much colder than Mars. This is a new discovery from Kepler's K2 mission.
By Newsroom | Astronomy, Space |

Recent astronomical observations have identified a potential Earth-sized exoplanet, designated HD 137010 b, located approximately 146 light-years away. While sharing similarities with Earth in size, its distant orbit around a cooler, dimmer star suggests it might experience temperatures colder than Mars. The planet's status remains a "candidate," requiring further confirmation through repeat observations.

This finding arises from data gathered by the Kepler Space Telescope's K2 mission. The planet's existence is inferred from a single observed transit – a brief dip in its host star's light. This event, seen as a potential hallmark of an Earth-like world, is also the primary reason for its tentative classification. The implications of this discovery are being carefully considered by astronomers, with particular interest in its potential for harboring liquid water or possessing a temperate climate, despite initial indications of extreme cold.

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Details of the Candidate Exoplanet HD 137010 b

HD 137010 b is described as being only slightly larger than Earth, with a diameter estimated at 1.06 times that of our planet. It orbits a K-type star, HD 137010, which is noted to be cooler and less luminous than our Sun. This difference in stellar energy output means that HD 137010 b receives significantly less energy than Earth does.

The candidate planet's orbit is said to be at a distance comparable to Earth's. However, the similarity appears to end there. A striking aspect of this discovery is the limited data available.

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  • Size: Approximately 1.06 times Earth's diameter.

  • Star Type: K-type dwarf star (cooler and dimmer than the Sun).

  • Distance from Earth: 146 light-years.

  • Orbital Distance: Appears similar to Earth's.

  • Detection Method: Single observed transit.

Temperature Projections and Habitable Zone Questions

A key point of discussion surrounding HD 137010 b is its projected surface temperature. Estimates suggest it may not rise much above -90 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature is colder than Mars, which has an average surface temperature of approximately -80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Despite this seemingly frigid outlook, researchers are cautious in their conclusions.

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  • Potential for Water: There remains a 50-50 chance that HD 137010 b could fall outside the habitable zone altogether.

  • Alternative Scenarios: Authors of the study also suggest that the planet could still turn out to be a temperate or even a watery world. This possibility hinges on factors not yet fully understood, such as the presence and composition of an atmosphere.

  • Atmospheric Influence: For an icy world to be potentially habitable, it might require an atmosphere richer in carbon dioxide than Earth's to retain heat. The thin atmosphere of Mars, in contrast, prevents it from retaining heat effectively.

Confirmation Challenges and Citizen Science

The current status of HD 137010 b is that of a candidate exoplanet. To be officially confirmed, it requires follow-up observations. The single transit observed makes it highly favorable for such follow-up studies with current and future telescopes.

The discovery itself highlights the contribution of citizen scientists. Several volunteers from NASA's Planet Hunters project, including Hans Martin Schwengeler and Martti H. Veneer, were involved in the study. Veneer had previously participated in the Planet Hunters project before completing his Ph.D.

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The need for repetition in astronomical findings is crucial. A single transit event means that another transit might not occur for about a year, a factor that complicates the confirmation process.

Comparisons to Other Exoplanet Discoveries

HD 137010 b is not the first Earth-sized exoplanet candidate to be identified, but its projected cold climate sets it apart. For instance, Gliese 12 b, discovered earlier, is also Earth-sized and potentially habitable but is warmer than Earth's average surface temperature. Another system, TRAPPIST-1, has seen intensive study with the James Webb Space Telescope, focusing on the atmospheres of its seven planets, with TRAPPIST-1 e being a strong candidate for hosting liquid surface water. However, results for TRAPPIST-1 are described as "exciting, incomplete."

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Expert Analysis and Future Prospects

The potential for HD 137010 b to be colder than Mars, despite its Earth-like size and orbital distance, underscores the diverse range of planetary environments that may exist. While the preliminary data points towards a frigid world, the scientific community acknowledges the uncertainty inherent in initial discoveries.

"Despite the possibility of a frigid climate, HD 137010 b also could turn out to be a temperate or even a watery world, say the authors of the paper on this exoplanet."

This statement from one of the articles encapsulates the ongoing scientific dialogue, balancing initial observations with the potential for future data to reveal a different picture. The reliance on single transit events for initial detection means that confirmation requires significant additional effort and time.

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Conclusion and Next Steps

The identification of HD 137010 b presents an intriguing, albeit tentative, addition to the growing catalog of exoplanets. Its Earth-like size, coupled with projections of extreme cold, poses unique questions about planetary formation and habitability around cooler stars.

  • Status: Candidate exoplanet.

  • Key Characteristic: Projected to be colder than Mars.

  • Primary Evidence: Single transit event detected by Kepler's K2 mission.

  • Next Steps: Require dedicated follow-up observations to confirm its existence and characterize its atmosphere and climate.

The scientific community awaits further data to determine if HD 137010 b is indeed a frozen world, a temperate planet, or something else entirely. Its confirmation or refutation will add to our understanding of the potential for Earth-like worlds beyond our solar system.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the new planet candidate HD 137010 b?
HD 137010 b is a potential planet found about 146 light-years from Earth. It is about the same size as Earth.
Q: How was HD 137010 b found?
It was found using data from the Kepler Space Telescope's K2 mission. Scientists saw a small dip in the light from its star, which could mean a planet passed in front of it.
Q: What is special about HD 137010 b's climate?
Based on its distance from its star, HD 137010 b might be very cold, possibly colder than Mars. Its temperature could be around -90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Q: Is HD 137010 b confirmed to exist?
No, it is currently a candidate planet. Scientists need to see another transit event, which might take about a year, to confirm it is a real planet.
Q: Could HD 137010 b still have water or be habitable?
It's possible. Even though it might be cold, if it has a thick atmosphere, it could still hold heat and potentially have liquid water. More study is needed to know for sure.