Earth-Like Planet Candidate HD 137010 b Found – Potential Ice World?

Astronomers have identified a potential planet, HD 137010 b, exhibiting striking similarities to Earth. The discovery stems from re-analysis of data collected by NASA’s Kepler space telescope, which concluded its mission in 2018. Published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters on January 27, 2026, research indicates this newly identified world is a rocky planet, approximately 6% larger than Earth, but significantly colder than even the frozen desert of Mars.

Orbit and Potential Habitability

Located 146 light-years from our solar system, HD 137010 b orbits a star comparable to our Sun, though dimmer and cooler. This results in surface temperatures estimated to be similar to those on Mars, potentially falling below -70°C. Remarkably, the planet’s orbital period is 355 days, closely mirroring Earth’s year.

Did You Know? The signal indicating the planet’s existence was initially detected by a team led by doctoral student Alexander Venner, with assistance from volunteers participating in the citizen science project, Planet Hunters.

Despite residing within the so-called habitable zone, HD 137010 b sits at its outer edge, receiving only one-third the heat Earth receives. This has led to speculation that the planet may be a massive ice world or a permanent “snowball” planet.

Detection and Future Research

The team, led by Alexander Venner of University of Southern Queensland and now at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, employed the transit method – observing the slight dimming of a star’s light as a planet passes in front of it. Although the transit event was observed only once during Kepler’s second mission, the precision of the data provides a strong foundation for future research on this exoplanet.

Expert Insight: The single transit detection highlights the challenges of confirming exoplanets with long orbital periods. Continued observation will be crucial to establish the planet’s existence and characterize its properties.

Currently classified as a candidate, HD 137010 b requires further observation for confirmation. The planet’s lengthy orbit makes transit events infrequent, demanding patience or the capabilities of next-generation telescopes.

Should its existence be confirmed, HD 137010 b could become a high-priority target for future space missions like the TESS telescope or CHEOPS. While currently beyond our reach, its discovery offers renewed hope in the search for worlds with atmospheres and the potential for water beyond our galaxy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the size of HD 137010 b compared to Earth?

HD 137010 b is a rocky planet approximately 6% larger than Earth.

How long does it take HD 137010 b to orbit its star?

The planet’s orbital period is 355 days, very close to the length of a year on Earth.

What method did scientists use to detect HD 137010 b?

Scientists used the transit method, observing the slight dimming of the star’s light as the planet passed in front of it.

What implications might the discovery of a potentially habitable, yet frigid, world like HD 137010 b have for our understanding of planetary formation and the prevalence of life in the universe?