The Discovery

Congratulations to the international team of scientists in Australia, the UK, the US and Denmark on the identification of HD 137010 b, a compelling Earth-sized exoplanet candidate orbiting a Sun-like star 146 light-years away.

Detected in Kepler’s post-mission data, this world appears to have a near-Earth-length year and may lie at the outer edge of its star’s habitable zone. Though likely colder than Mars, models suggest it could still be temperate with the right atmosphere. This finding is a striking reminder of Kepler’s enduring legacy and the promise of future confirmation by next-generation missions.