Worlds beyond Earth that may host oceans, atmosphere, chemistry โ or life itself.
Scientists estimate there could be billions of potentially habitable worlds in the universe. Some orbit nearby stars, others float alone in darkness, and a few may be more Earth-like than Earth itself.
These arenโt confirmed living worlds โ but they are our best candidates.
The closest potentially habitable exoplanet โ only 4.24 light-years away.
Pros: Right temperature range, similar mass to Earth.
Challenge: Host star emits strong radiation.
A system of seven Earth-sized planets โ three in the habitable zone.
One of the best known โmini-solar systemsโ for life research.
Nicknamed โEarth 2.0โ โ slightly larger than Earth and orbits a Sun-like star.
Its climate stability makes it a prime candidate for long-term habitability.
Not planets โ but possibly the most promising places for microbial life.
Hidden oceans under ice, hydrothermal vents โ similar to Earthโs deep-sea origins.
๐ Estimated exoplanets: 100+ billion
๐งฌ Confirmed habitable-zone worlds: 60+
๐ฝ Confirmed life: None (yet).