Does Earth 2.0 exist? New discovery points to yes
Does Earth 2.0 exist? New discovery points to yes
05 May, 2025
Credit: Nasa, Getty
Using the Korea Microlensing Telescope Network (KMTNet), scientists found that super-Earths—planets larger than Earth but smaller than Neptune—are more common in the universe than previously believed.
New Discovery
The discovery was made using microlensing, a method that detects planets by observing how their gravity bends and brightens the light of a distant star.
Microlensing Technique
One such planet, OGLE-2016-BLG-0007, has twice Earth's mass and orbits farther from its star than Saturn does from the sun.
Key Finding
The study grouped exoplanets into two broad types—super-Earths/Neptune-like planets and gas giants—and found that roughly one in three stars likely hosts a super-Earth with a wide orbit.
Planet Patterns
These findings give new insights into how planetary systems form, but researchers say more data is needed to confirm which planet formation theories are correct.
Scientific Impact
The study was led by teams in China, Korea, and the U.S., including scientists at Ohio State University who helped design the KMTNet cameras. It was published in Science and supported by multiple international science institutions.
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