Scientists Discover Potentially Habitable Super-Earth

Key Facts:

• Discovery:  A new exoplanet, GJ 251 c, has been identified.

• Location:  Approximately 20 light-years from Earth.

• Type:  Classified as a "Super-Earth," with a mass about four times that of our planet.

Discovery Details:

• The planet was discovered using the Habitable-Zone Planet Finder (HPF) instrument on the Hobby-Eberly Telescope in Texas.

• It orbits within its star's "habitable zone," where conditions could allow for liquid water to exist on the surface.

• The research, led by an international team including Penn State scientists, was published in  The Astronomical Journal .

Significance:

• GJ 251 c is considered a prime candidate for future atmospheric study.

• Its relative proximity and characteristics make it a promising target in the search for potential signs of life beyond our solar system.

Next Steps:  Scientists plan to use advanced telescopes to analyze the planet's atmosphere for biosignatures.