Super-Earth Discovered in Habitable Zone of Sun-like Star
2025-01-28
The Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) has confirmed the discovery of a super-Earth, designated HD 20794 d, orbiting within the habitable zone of the Sun-like star HD 20794. This six-Earth-mass planet has a 647-day orbital period and an elliptical orbit. The discovery, based on over two decades of radial velocity measurements, opens exciting possibilities for future studies of terrestrial planet atmospheres and makes it a prime target for next-generation telescopes. While residing in the habitable zone, its high mass and eccentric orbit suggest a vastly different environment than Earth, yet offering a unique perspective on how habitability conditions vary over time.
Read more