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Facts, Information, and Images related to Space and Astronomy.

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In short: GJ 251 c is closer than most exoplanet targets, big enough to study in detail, and in the habitable zone. If we want to find alien life, this is one of the best shots we have right now. Exciting times ahead for exoplanet research.

More:
www.psu.edu/news/researc...
Newly discovered ‘super-Earth’ offers prime target in search for alien life | Penn State University
The discovery of a possible “super-Earth” less than 20 light-years from our own planet is offering scientists new hope in the hunt for other worlds that could harbor life, according to an international team including researchers from Penn State.
www.psu.edu
October 24, 2025 at 3:01 PM
That said, GJ 251 c orbits a red dwarf star—these stars are prone to flares and variable activity that could strip atmospheres or make life less likely. So while the discovery is thrilling, habitability is far from confirmed.
October 24, 2025 at 3:01 PM
The planet orbits at just the right distance where liquid water could exist—provided it has an atmosphere. While we cannot yet probe that atmosphere, the team argues this candidate offers one of the best chances in the next 5-10 years to search for life elsewhere.
October 24, 2025 at 3:01 PM
GJ 251 c’s location makes it a high-priority target for future observatories. Using the HPF spectrograph at the Hobby-Eberly Telescope, scientists amassed >20 years of data capturing the host star’s “wobble” to identify this planet’s presence.
October 24, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Astronomers have found a “super-Earth” designated GJ 251 c, orbiting a nearby dwarf star just ~18-20 light-years from Earth. The planet is nearly 4× Earth’s mass, likely rocky, and lies in the habitable “Goldilocks” zone.
October 24, 2025 at 3:01 PM