According to the study, published by Science Alert and cited by The Astronomical Journal, this planet is only 18 light-years away, and is a "super-Earth" called GJ 251c. Its minimum mass is about 3.84 times that of Earth .
According to scientists, this planet lies perfectly within the habitable zone around its star, the orbital distance that is neither too close nor too far from the star to allow life to exist.
"The planet is located in what's known as the habitable zone, the right distance from its star where liquid water could exist on its surface if the right atmosphere was present," explains astronomer Suvirath Mahadev of Pennsylvania State University.
"What makes GJ 251c particularly valuable is that its host star is so close, only about 18 light-years away, " says astronomer Paul Robertson of the University of California , Irvine. "In cosmic terms, it's very close."
This planet orbits a star called GJ 251, a red dwarf about one-third the mass and diameter of the Sun.
Since the star is small and cool, the habitable zone is much closer to the star than the habitable zone in the solar system.
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