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Earth-Sized Exoplanet Discovered Near Habitable Zone

1/30/2026

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Summary

Exoplanet Transit Identified

HD 137010 b is a candidate exoplanet identified from a single transit, a potential first in exoplanet detection using this method.
The planet is Earth-sized and orbits a K-dwarf star.
It has an estimated orbital period of 355 days and may lie near the edge of the habitable zone.
Confirmation is required because only one transit has been detected, and the discovery relies on data from NASA's retired Kepler telescope.

History

Historical Context

Launched on March 7, 2009, NASA's Kepler Space Telescope revolutionized the search for exoplanets using the transit method, identifying over 2,778 planets by June 2023. This mission, led by principal investigator William Borucki, has significantly enhanced our understanding of planetary systems and continues to influence research, exemplified by the recent identification of HD 137010 b as a potential Earth-sized exoplanet.

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Exoplanet Transit Identified

HD 137010 b is a candidate exoplanet identified from a single transit, a potential first in exoplanet detection using this method.
The planet is Earth-sized and orbits a K-dwarf star.
It has an estimated orbital period of 355 days and may lie near the edge of the habitable zone.
Confirmation is required because only one transit has been detected, and the discovery relies on data from NASA's retired Kepler telescope.

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