Nasa has drawn fresh attention to a nearby exoplanet, dubbed the super-Earth GJ 3378b, after astronomers confirmed it sits in a 'sweet spot' around its host star where conditions could, in theory, support alien life. The planet, located around 25 light-years from Earth, was identified by researchers at the University of California, Irvine, with findings published in the Astrophysical Journal in late June.
Scientists have been steadily cataloguing planets beyond our solar system for decades, but only a small fraction fall within what is often called the 'Goldilocks zone,' the narrow orbital range where temperatures allow liquid water to exist. GJ 3378b now joins that shortlist, and its relative proximity, at least in cosmic terms, has sharpened interest.
