Astronomers have discovered a new planet that may be capable of supporting life. Located around 146 light-years from Earth, the planet is close to Earth in size and is believed to have environmental conditions similar to those on Mars. The planet, named HD 137010 b, orbits a star similar to the Sun and is approximately six per cent larger than Earth, according to a report by the Guardian.

An international group of astronomers from Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States and Denmark has identified the planet using data collected in 2017 by NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope during its extended K2 mission.

Dr. Chelsea Huang of the University of Southern Queensland said the planet follows an Earth-like orbit, completing one revolution around its host star in about 355 days. Scientists estimate there is nearly a 50 per cent chance that the planet lies within its star’s Hoble zone. Huang noted that the discovery is significant as the star is located only around 150 light-years from the solar system. She added that the closest comparable planet around a sun-like star in the Hoble zone, Kepler-186f, is four times more distant and 20 times less luminous.

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HD 137010 b was detected as it passed briefly in front of its star, producing a slight dip in brightness. The signal was first identified by citizen scientists, including lead author Dr. Alexander Weiner, who began working on the Planet Hunters project while in high school.

Huang said the team initially doubted the finding but confirmed it as a clear planetary transit. Owing to the star’s brightness and proximity, the planet could be studied with next-generation telescopes. The research was published this week in the Astrophysical Journal Letters.

With inputs from BBC