
Meet HD 20794 d: The 'Super-Earth' That Could Support Life—But There's a Catch!
2025-05-10
Author: Arjun
Exciting news from the cosmos: astronomers have identified a potential ‘super-Earth’ exoplanet, HD 20794 d, just waiting to be explored. Located a mere 20 light years away and orbiting a star resembling our Sun, this planet could possess the right conditions to host life.
Originally discovered two years ago by Dr. Michael Cretignier from Oxford University, its existence has now been confirmed by a global team of researchers. This celestial body boasts a mass six times that of our own planet, making it a fascinating object of study.
Why the Excitement?
Super-Earths are defined as planetary bodies more massive than Earth but smaller than the ice giants like Neptune and Uranus. What sets HD 20794 d apart is its position within the habitable zone of its solar system—ideal for maintaining liquid water, a crucial ingredient for life as we understand it.