Super-Earth, a new alien planet, could potentially support life, astronomers announced Monday. The planet is among 50 other planets discovered by a new telescope from the European Southern Observatory (ESO).
Scientist discovered a group of alien planets that include 16 super-Earths, which are more massive that Earth. One alien planet, called HD 85512 b, orbits at the edge of its star’s habitable zone where water could exist, the Washington Post reported. This phenomenon has caught astronomer’s attention because it suggests that conditions on the planet could support life.
“If we are really, really lucky, this planet could be a habitat” like Earth, said Lisa Kaltenegger of the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy in Heidelberg, Germany, according to the Post.
Astronomers have not determined whether the new super-Earth has an atmosphere. To establish this, astronomers need to capture an image of the planet and study the light for signs of water, carbon dioxide and other gases.
There is no existing telescope that can handle the task, but astronomers are scheduled to construct a new telescope next year.
