Scientists Confirm Nearby 'Super-Earth' in Habitable Zone

Researchers identify HD 20794 d, a rocky exoplanet 20 light-years away, as a potential candidate for hosting liquid water.

HD 20794 d, a 'super-Earth' six times the mass of Earth, orbits a Sun-like star in the habitable zone, where liquid water could potentially exist.
The exoplanet's elliptical orbit causes it to move in and out of the habitable zone, raising questions about its ability to maintain stable conditions for life.
Its discovery was confirmed after two decades of data analysis using advanced instruments like HARPS and ESPRESSO, alongside new algorithms to reduce noise.
The planet's proximity to Earth, at just 19.7 light-years, makes it an ideal candidate for future space missions to study its atmosphere and search for biosignatures.
Scientists emphasize that while HD 20794 d is a promising laboratory for studying habitability, further research is needed to determine if it can support life.