Science

In a groundbreaking discovery, astronomers have identified a fascinating super-Earth exoplanet, HD 20794d, located just 19.7 light-years away from our solar system. This intriguing planet orbits its star in a highly eccentric path, dipping in and out of the habitable zone—a region where conditions may allow for liquid water to exist.

HD 20794d’s orbit is particularly remarkable, as it varies significantly in distance from its star, ranging from as far out as Mars is from the Sun to as close as Venus. This means that during its journey, the planet experiences extreme temperature fluctuations, starting in a frigid zone where liquid water cannot exist, before passing through the habitable zone where conditions may briefly support life.