A New 'Earth' Is Born: Scientists Discover Potentially Habitable Planet Near Alpha Centauri

Scientists using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have made a groundbreaking discovery: an exoplanet orbiting Alpha Centauri A, the closest sun-like star to our solar system. This planet, temporarily named Alpha Centauri Ab, is located in the Alpha Centauri triple-star system and is generating worldwide excitement among astronomers.

Why Is This Discovery Historic?

• First Potentially Habitable Exoplanet Next Door: If confirmed, Alpha Centauri Ab will be the first Earth-like, potentially habitable exoplanet identified around our solar system’s nearest sun-like neighbor.

• Goldilocks Zone: The planet orbits within the so-called "Goldilocks zone"—the region around a star where conditions may be just right for liquid water and, potentially, life as we know it.

Key Findings About Alpha Centauri Ab

• Direct Imaging: This planet’s possible presence was made visible through direct imaging with JWST—an amazing feat previously thought impossible for such distant worlds.

• Water on the Surface? Preliminary evidence hints at the possibility of water on the planet’s surface, which is a crucial ingredient for life.

• Mass and Orbit: Simulations reveal the planet’s mass is roughly the same as Saturn, and it follows an elliptical orbit that ranges between one and twice the Earth-Sun distance.

• Temperature and Age: The planet is similar to the gas giants in our solar system in terms of temperature and age, setting it apart from previously discovered exoplanets.

• Prime Target for Further Study: Its proximity and characteristics make it a promising target in the ongoing search for life beyond Earth.

What Scientists Are Saying

Aniket Sanghi, an astronomer at Caltech involved in the discovery, emphasized the importance of the planet’s orbit and visibility to JWST. While confirmation is still pending, Sanghi notes that if Alpha Centauri Ab is proven real, it will become a milestone in the quest to study and perhaps one day visit Earth’s cosmic neighbors.