Chasing a Frozen World: A New Exoplanet Candidate May Be Colder Than Mars
How a distant, icy world could challenge our understanding of “Earth-like” planets.
Astronomers are abuzz with the potential discovery of a new exoplanet candidate that may be colder than Mars — and yet, it’s roughly the size of Earth and orbits a sun-like star. This intriguing finding comes from reanalyzing old data from NASA’s retired Kepler Space Telescope, showing just how much treasure still hides in archival data.
A Cold Earth Emerges from Old Data
Even though Kepler officially ended its mission in 2018, its observations continue to reveal surprising planetary candidates. Among the latest is HD 137010 b — a rocky world slightly larger than Earth orbiting a star about 146 light-years away.
What’s striking is the planet’s potential temperature. Early estimates suggest that HD 137010 b receives less than a third of the light and heat Earth gets from the Sun. Without an atmosphere, its surface temperature could drop to –90°F (≈–68°C) — even colder than Mars, where the average temperature hovers around –85°F (≈–65°C).
“This could be one of the coldest terrestrial-size exoplanets we’ve ever found,” said one of the astronomers studying the data. If confirmed, this discovery could expand our ideas of what “Earth-like” truly means.
Orbiting on the Edge of Habitability
HD 137010 b circles a K-type dwarf star — slightly cooler and dimmer than our Sun. The planet’s orbit takes almost a full Earth year to complete, placing it near the outer edge of the star’s habitable zone.
The habitable zone is the range where liquid water could exist — a key ingredient for life as we know it. But being in this zone doesn’t guarantee warmth. Because HD 137010 b’s star is relatively faint, the planet likely remains a frigid, icy world.
Depending on its atmosphere, the planet might barely qualify as habitable. In many scenarios, it’s likely a harsh, frozen world — an extreme version of an Earth-size planet.
Why This Discovery Matters
Finding a planet colder than Mars around a sun-like star is unusual for several reasons:
1. Rare for Earth-Sized Planets
Most exoplanets detected so far are gas giants or close-orbiting rocky worlds. HD 137010 b is unusual: it orbits at a distance comparable to Earth’s but remains profoundly cold.
2. Candidate Status
HD 137010 b is still a candidate. The dip in starlight detected by Kepler suggests a planet, but more observations are needed to confirm it. Astronomers are especially keen on follow-ups using next-generation telescopes.
3. A Prime Target for JWST
Its bright host star makes HD 137010 b ideal for observation by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and upcoming missions like ESA’s PLATO. Future studies could confirm the planet’s existence, study its orbit, and even detect a potential atmosphere.
Cold Worlds and the Search for Life
A planet colder than Mars might seem unlikely to host life, but cold doesn’t mean lifeless. Consider Mars, Europa, or Enceladus — icy worlds that may harbor subsurface oceans.
HD 137010 b could teach us how planets respond to extreme cold. A thick greenhouse atmosphere might make it slightly warmer than expected, but even then, it’s likely an icy, challenging environment.
Redefining “Earth-Like”
This discovery reminds us that Earth-size does not equal Earth-like. Exoplanets can be hotter, colder, or more extreme than anything in our Solar System. HD 137010 b may not host bustling alien life, but it expands our understanding of planetary diversity.
As astronomers study more distant worlds, we’re discovering planets that defy expectations — from sizzling hot super-Earths to bone-chilling frozen rocks like HD 137010 b.
Conclusion:
HD 137010 b is a fascinating peek into the extremes of the galaxy. Whether it’s eventually confirmed or not, this icy world challenges our assumptions about habitability and reminds us that the universe is far stranger and colder than we imagine.
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