A New Earth… Maybe?
NASA has discovered TOI 700 e, an Earth-sized planet orbiting in the habitable zone of a distant red dwarf star just 100 light-years away in the constellation Dorado. It’s about 95% the size of Earth and gets just the right amount of light and warmth for liquid water to potentially exist.
How It Was Found
The planet was spotted by NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), a space telescope designed to detect tiny dips in light as planets pass in front of stars. TOI 700 e isn’t alone, either. It joins its planetary sibling, TOI 700 d, another Earth-sized world in the same star system’s habitable zone.
That’s two potentially life-friendly planets in one place. Not bad, universe.
The Bigger Picture
NASA’s powerful James Webb Space Telescope recently took a direct image of a giant exoplanet orbiting a different red dwarf. Though not habitable, the feat shows how far our space surveillance game has come and how many more planets might be hiding out there.
Red dwarfs, the most common stars in our galaxy, seem to be prime real estate for rocky, Earth-like worlds.
So… Are We Alone?
Not yet rolling out the welcome mat for aliens, but discoveries like this seriously shift the odds. With more planets like TOI 700 e showing up, it’s becoming harder to believe Earth is the only game in town.
And honestly? A planet with no rent, no traffic, and none of my exes? Yes, please.
