Mega-Earth – A Whole New Class of Planet
When searching for planets like our own – those that have the potential to house life – astronomers look at very specific criteria. From the size of its star to whether or not the planet would fall into the thin band of space around its sun known as the ‘circumstellar habitable zone’, there are many things that scientists look at to ascertain whether or not a planet is likely to have given rise to life in the same way our own planet did.