Astronomers Discover New Class of Habitable Planet

These giant, ocean worlds are likely to be significantly more abundant than Earth-like exoplanets.

The Physics arXiv Blog iconThe Physics arXiv Blog
By The Physics arXiv Blog
Aug 30, 2021 1:56 PMAug 30, 2021 7:56 PM
sunset over the sea - shutterstock 1084769414 (1)
(Credit: ustas7777777/Shutterstock)

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In the search for potentially habitable worlds, astronomers have focused on Earth-like planets orbiting Sun-like stars. These rocky worlds have a similar radius and mass to Earth and must be warm enough to allow liquid water to exist on the surface.

But although astronomers have found a number of promising candidates—for example Trappist-1d or Proxima Centauri b, which both orbit nearby stars-- the necessary conditions are stringent and this significantly limits their number.

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