Space agency NASA has discovered a distant planet, which, according to planetary scientists, is indeed very similar to Earth. This event significantly increases the chances of discovering life outside our planet and the solar system.
Analysis of data from the Kepler telescope, decommissioned in 2018, revealed an exoplanet that has almost all the factors for possible habitability. The planet was named Kepler-1649c, located more than 300 light-years from Earth.
Nevertheless, despite such a staggering distance, NASA experts have concluded that it is “the most similar to Earth in size and calculated temperature.” All this information was provided by Kepler.
A planet about the same as Earth, perhaps slightly larger. In addition, her star provides 75% of the amount of light that the Sun provides to the Earth. Here is what Thomas Zurbuchen, assistant administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate in Washington, said:
'This intriguing, distant world gives us even greater hope that a second Earth is among the stars and waiting for us to visit. The data collected by missions such as Kepler and our Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) will continue to provide amazing discoveries to humankind as the scientific community is improving its ability to search for promising planets year after year. '
Scientists have found that the newly discovered world is only 1.06 times larger than our own planet and is located in the so-called habitable zone. In addition, the amount of starlight it receives from its host star is 75 percent of the amount of light that the Earth receives from our Sun – which means that the temperature on an exoplanet could be similar to Earth's.
However, unlike Earth, the planet revolves around a red dwarf. This type of star is known for radiation flares that can make the planet's environment difficult for any potential life to exist.
Also, it is not yet known what the planet's atmosphere consists of. To obtain more information, further observations of the object are required, which the researchers intend to do.
