Distant star TOI-700 has two potentially habitable planets orbiting it – making it an excellent candidate in the search for life

With more than 5,000 known exoplanets, astronomers are shifting their focus from discovering additional distant worlds to identifying which are good candidates for further study.

Andrew Vanderburg, Assistant Professor of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) • conversation
March 8, 2023 • ~8 min

Super-Earths are bigger, more common and more habitable than Earth itself – and astronomers are discovering more of the billions they think are out there

Newly discovered super-Earths add to the list of planets around other stars that offer the best chance of finding life. An astronomer explains what makes these super-Earths such excellent candidates.

Chris Impey, University Distinguished Professor of Astronomy, University of Arizona • conversation
Sept. 19, 2022 • ~8 min

How Europe's CHEOPS satellite will improve the hunt for exoplanets

The primary objective of CHEOPS is to better understand the planets that we’ve already found. And its mission is now in full swing.

Jason Steffen, Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nevada, Las Vegas • conversation
May 27, 2020 • ~6 min

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