Hey space fans! 🚀 A team of scientists from the Chinese mainland and Germany has just unveiled a fascinating discovery: a potential Earth-like exoplanet, Kepler-725c, residing in the habitable zone of a sun-like star.
Using an innovative method known as Transit Timing Variation (TTV), researchers analyzed timing irregularities in the orbit of a neighboring gas giant, Kepler-725b, to deduce the mass and path of this hidden planet. Kepler-725c has about 10 times the mass of Earth and orbits its star every 207.5 days – a sweet spot where temperatures might allow liquid water to exist. ⭐
Sun Leilei from the Yunnan Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences explained, "It demonstrates the potential of the TTV technique to detect low-mass planets in habitable zones of sun-like stars." Although the planet ticks many boxes for habitability, further exploration is needed to confirm whether it could support Earth-like life.
Located about 2,472 light-years away, the Kepler-725 system mirrors our own sun in temperature and luminosity, sparking excitement in the ongoing search for life beyond our solar system. This breakthrough not only expands our cosmic horizons but also celebrates the power of international collaboration and innovative science. So, keep your eyes on the stars—there’s a whole universe of surprises waiting to be discovered!
Reference(s):
New Earth-sized planet detected in habitable zone with novel method
cgtn.com
