5 Habitable Exoplanets

Scientists have been making remarkable discoveries of exoplanets outside our solar system for many years. As of 2023, over 5,000 exoplanets have been identified, and some of them have the potential to sustain life. Now, let's embark on an exhilarating journey through space to explore the recently discovered potentially habitable planets.

Our first destination is LP 890-9, a red dwarf star situated astonishing 105-light years away from Earth. Compared to our sun, this star has a cooler temperature of approximately 4,700 degrees Fahrenheit. Although small, LP 890-9 surprises us with the presence of two rocky exoplanets in orbit.

The first exoplanet, LP 890-9b, was initially detected in 2022 using the test telescope and later confirmed by the speculoos telescope. This super-Earth weighs around 13 times the mass of our planet and is slightly larger, with a radius approximately 1.3 times greater. LP 890-9b completes an orbit around its star in just three days, resulting in extreme temperature variations from freezing winters to scorching summers.

The showstopper in this star system is LP 890-9c, discovered by the speculoos telescope. This exoplanet orbits further away from the star and has a longer orbital period—2.5 times that of LP 890-9b. It is larger than Earth and lies within the habitable zone, suggesting the potential for liquid water and a favorable climate. LP 890-9c presents an excellent opportunity for studying its atmosphere using the James Webb Space Telescope. However, it faces challenges such as radiation proximity and being tidally locked, with one side always facing the star, resulting in extreme heat on one side and bitter cold on the other. Scientific models indicate similarities to Venus in terms of its atmosphere and climate, which are not ideal for human habitation. Nonetheless, LP 890-9c remains an intriguing exoplanet worthy of further exploration to unveil its secrets.

Moving on to the next candidates, GJ1002b and GJ1002c, an international team of scientists led by researchers at the Instituto de Astrophysica de Canaria have discovered two Earth-like planets merely 16 light years away from our solar system. Both exoplanets orbit a red dwarf star named GJ1002. Although cooler and fainter than our sun, GJ1002's proximity ensures that these planets experience suitable temperatures and illumination.

Both GJ1002b and GJ1002c fall within the habitable zone of their star, indicating the potential to sustain life. They possess masses similar to Earth and offer promising opportunities for studying their atmospheres, potentially revealing signs of life. The close proximity of these exoplanets raises the exciting prospect of future missions, although human exploration remains uncertain. Perhaps one day, we may encounter extraterrestrial life on these neighboring planets. Such a discovery would be truly remarkable.

Next on our list is Kepler 1649c, also known as The Lost Exoplanet, which scientists rediscovered in 2022 using data from NASA's Kepler spacecraft. Located approximately 300 light years away from Earth, Kepler 1649c orbits a small cool star named Kepler 1649. Similar in size to Earth and positioned within the habitable zone of its star, this terrestrial planet presents intriguing possibilities.

Initially disregarded as a false positive by a computer program, further analysis rescued Kepler 1649c. While there are still uncertainties surrounding its atmosphere and surface characteristics, the presence of water could offer favorable conditions. However, caution is necessary as this planet might also be tidally locked, resulting in extreme conditions. Kepler 1649c demands further study to determine its potential suitability for future human habitats.

In summary, Scientists have made remarkable discoveries of exoplanets outside our solar system, including LP 890-9 with two rocky exoplanets and the potentially habitable LP 890-9c. GJ1002b and GJ1002c, two Earth-like planets, offer promising opportunities for studying habitability. The rediscovered Kepler 1649c presents intriguing possibilities, but caution is needed due to potential tidal locking. These findings fuel our curiosity and push us to explore the mysteries of the universe, expanding our understanding of distant worlds and our place within them.