NASA discovers ‘super-Earth’ planet

NASA has made a significant discovery of a ‘super-Earth’ planet named TOI-715b, located 137 light-years away in the habitable zone, suggesting it could be a potential candidate for hosting life.

The exoplanet is 1.5 times larger than Earth and orbits a small, reddish star that emits temperatures suitable for liquid water to exist on the surface — a crucial component for supporting life. Scientists, led by the University of Birmingham, utilized Earth-based telescopes in conjunction with NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), which launched six years ago.

TESS observed ‘transiting’ planets, and once it hinted at TOI-715b’s existence, telescopes were employed to pinpoint its location. The super-Earth has a tighter orbit than Earth, completing one orbit every 19 days, and always presents the same side to its star. (Foreign Agencies)

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