Kepler-62 f

Kepler-62 f is a super-Earth discovered in 2013 by NASA’s Kepler telescope in the habitable zone of a K-type star. About 1.4 times Earth’s size, it orbits every 267 days, receiving slightly less light than Earth—enough for liquid water if it has a greenhouse atmosphere. Likely rocky with possible oceans or ice sheets, it’s in […]

TRAPPIST-1 e/f/g

The TRAPPIST-1 system, discovered 2016-2017, has seven Earth-sized planets around a cool red dwarf. e, f, and g (~0.8-1.0 x Earth) are in the habitable zone—rocky with possible water. Three chances for oceans in one system—red dwarf sunsets on multiple worlds! Best multi-planet habitable candidates—JWST is studying their atmospheres now.

Teegarden’s Star b/c

Teegarden’s Star b and c, discovered in 2019, are ~1.0-1.1 times Earth’s size orbiting a quiet red dwarf every 4.9 and 11.4 days. Both in the habitable zone—Earth-like sunlight. One of the closest potentially habitable pairs—just 12.5 light-years! Super calm star means no flares stripping life away—prime for oceans.

LHS 1140 b

LHS 1140 b, discovered in 2017, is a dense super-Earth ~1.7 times Earth’s size orbiting a red dwarf every 25 days. In the habitable zone—good for thick atmosphere. Likely rocky with possible oceans—great life candidate. Might have an “eyeball” pattern: hot ocean side, frozen side, habitable ring between.

TOI-700 d

TOI-700 d, discovered in 2020 by TESS, is ~1.2 times Earth’s size in the habitable zone of a quiet red dwarf every 37 days. Rocky with potential water. In a calm system—no big flares disrupting life. One of the best Earth-sized candidates for future atmosphere studies.

Proxima Centauri b

Proxima Centauri b, discovered in 2016, is ~1.1-1.3 times Earth’s size orbiting the nearest star (red dwarf) every 11 days. In the habitable zone—possible rocky with water. Our closest exoplanet neighbor—just 4.2 light-years away! Red sunsets and potential atmosphere make it a top target for future probes.

Kepler-452 b

Kepler-452 b, discovered in 2015, is a super-Earth ~1.6 times Earth’s size orbiting a Sun-like star every 385 days. In the habitable zone—”Earth 2.0.” Might have volcanoes, oceans, and continents like home. The closest “twin” to Earth around a similar star—our best look at what a mature Earth-like planet could be.

Kepler-186 f

Kepler-186 f is often called the “first Earth-sized habitable zone world”—discovered in 2014 by NASA’s Kepler telescope. It’s about 1.2 times Earth’s size and orbits a cool red dwarf star every 130 days, receiving just enough light to possibly have liquid water. On the outer edge of the habitable zone, it might be rocky with […]

Kepler-22 b

Kepler-22 b, discovered in 2011, is a super-Earth ~2.1 times our size in the habitable zone of a Sun-like star every 290 days. Possibly a global ocean world. First confirmed habitable zone planet—could have deep water with no land. Inspired dreams of endless alien seas and kicked off the “water world” search.