Scientists have discovered a so-called “super-Earth” planet, potentially capable of supporting life, orbiting a sun-like star just 20 light-years away.
This “super-Earth,” dubbed HD 20794 d, boasts a mass six times that of our planet and resides within the star’s “habitable zone.” The zone represents the optimal distance from a star where liquid water could exist on a planet’s surface. However, HD 20794 d follows an elliptical, rather than circular, orbit, meaning its distance from its star varies. This makes it difficult to definitively determine its life-supporting potential at this stage.
