Astronomers Discover Two Super-Earths Orbiting a Star Nearby

Using NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), a group of astronomers were able to discover two super-Earths that revolve around a nearby red dwarf known as TOI-2095 within its habitable zone, Phys.org reports. The star lies around 137 light-years from our solar system.

The nearest planet to the red dwarf is TOI-2095 b. It is about 25% larger than Earth and orbits the star in 17.66 days. Its equilibrium temperature is +73.85°C.

The second planet is called TOI-2095 c and orbits the star every 28.17 days. The equilibrium temperature of the planet is about +23.85°C. Its maximum mass was calculated to be 7.4 Earth masses.

The parent star TOI-2095 is about half the size of the Sun. Its age is estimated to be about one billion years. Both of its planets are located within its habitable zone, so astronomers will be interested in observing the two newly discovered super-Earths further to find out whether there is water on them and whether they can sustain life.

Super-Earth is a class of planets that are more massive than Earth but lighter than ice giants like Neptune and Uranus.