NASA discovers potential alien world in distant star’s habitable zone

The discovery of an Earth-like planet orbiting a red dwarf star has fuelled hopes it could support life.

Aliens are real. Well, maybe.

Scientists have found yet another tantalising clue that we might not be alone in the universe.

NASA has confirmed the discovery of an Earth-sized planet parked right in the “habitable zone” of a distant red dwarf star.

Called TOI 700 e (which honestly sounds like something Elon Musk would name his child), it’s about 100 light-years away in the constellation Dorado, and roughly 95 per cent the size of Earth.

TOI 700 e is 100 light-years away in the constellation Dorado. Picture: NASA

Being in the habitable zone means it gets just the right amount of light and warmth from its star to potentially allow liquid water on its surface, one of the key ingredients for life as we know it.

TOI 700 e isn’t even the only one.

There’s another Earth-sized planet in the same system, TOI 700 d, which scientists spotted earlier.

TOI 700 d was spotted by scientists last year. Picture: NASA

According to NASA, this discovery was made using its Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), which is basically a cosmic surveillance camera watching for planets crossing in front of their stars.

Scientists are keen to study the system more closely to figure out if these worlds really could be life-friendly.

The discovery was made using NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite. Picture: NASA

Meanwhile, in another breakthrough, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope snapped a direct image of a giant exoplanet called TWA 7b orbiting a different red dwarf star about 34 light-years away.

This planet is much larger than Earth, over 100 times its mass, and has average temperatures near 48 degrees Celsius.

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope snapped a direct image of a giant exoplanet called TWA 7b. Picture: NASA

Although it’s not Earth-like, the fact astronomers could directly photograph it showcases just how powerful the Webb telescope is for exploring distant worlds in extraordinary detail.

It also hints at just how many hidden planets might be lurking around these dim, reddish stars.

Red dwarfs are the most common type of star in our galaxy, and they’re proving to be rich hunting grounds for planet-spotters.

Red dwarfs are the most common type of star in our galaxy. Picture: NASA

Recent studies, including work with the CARMENES spectrograph, suggest they often have multiple small, rocky planets — some right in those life-friendly zones.

The more we look, the more potential homes for life we seem to find.

It’s enough to make even the most sceptical stargazer wonder what’s really out there.

So, while we’re not exactly rolling out the welcome mat for alien neighbours just yet, discoveries like these are undeniably exciting.

I mean, a planet with none of my exes? Sign me up.

Originally published as NASA discovers potential alien world in distant star’s habitable zone