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A portion of the newly discovered Earth-sized planet TOI-700 e orbits within the habitable zone of its star in this illustration.

January 11, 2023

Ask the expert: Breaking down the discovery of an Earth-sized planet

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Ask the expert, astronomy, exoplanet

Working with data from NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, or TESS, Michigan State University has helped discover an Earth-sized exoplanet — a planet outside of our solar system. This planet, named TOI-700 e, falls within its star’s habitable zone, meaning the newfound planet could be capable of supporting life as we know it. The research team announced the finding Jan. 10 at the American Astronomical Society meeting in Seattle.