Mild Temps On Earth-Sized World Just 11 Light-Years Away

This artist’s impression shows Ross 128 b, the second closest temperate planet to Earth. (Credit: ESO/M. Kornmesser) The discovery of any Earth-like exoplanet evokes excitement in the science community, but the hype is definitely heightened when a possible rocky world is found close to home. Last year, researchers announced the discovery of an exoplanet just 11 light-years from Earth — practically in our own backyard. And now, a detailed study published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters reveals crucial details about its composition and potential habitability. ESO’s High Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher (HARPS) first spotted the prosperous exoplanet while observing its host star, Ross 128, in 2017. Early observations suggested that the exoplanet, dubbed Ross 128 b, was similar in size to Earth and likely had a temperate climate. This would make it the second-closest temperate world to Earth, trailing behind Proxima b, which sits just four light years away. ...