Nearby ‘Super-Earth’ capable of supporting human life, NASA reveals

American space agency NASA suggests that a newly discovered alien planet dubbed ‘Super-Earth’ is potentially capable of supporting human life.

The exoplanet in question, GJ 357 d, is on the outer limits of the star’s “habitable zone,” which means it likely gets the same amount of energy that Mars gets from the Sun, said the study’s co-author, Diana Kossakowski.

“If the planet has a dense atmosphere, which will take future studies to determine, it could trap enough heat to warm the planet and allow liquid water on its surface.”

READ ALSO: Sony moves to develop wearable air conditioner

“This is exciting, as this is humanity’s first nearby super-Earth that could harbor life — uncovered with help from TESS, our small, mighty mission with a huge reach,” said one of the study’s co-authors, Lisa Kaltenegger, in a separate statement.

The government space agency has also posted a video to its YouTube page in relation to the discovery.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now