A colder sun, a colder planet
The biggest unknown comes from the star itself.
Unlike Earth’s Sun, which is a G-type yellow dwarf, HD 137010 is a smaller and cooler orange dwarf star. That means the planet likely receives much less warmth and light. Estimates suggest surface temperatures could dip below minus 90 degrees Fahrenheit — colder than Mars.
Such frigid conditions would make liquid water difficult to maintain unless the planet has a thick, heat-trapping atmosphere rich in greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide.
If that atmospheric blanket exists, temperatures could rise enough to support a milder climate. Without it, the planet may be frozen and inhospitable.
The tidal locking question
Planets orbiting smaller stars often circle very close to remain in the so-called habitable zone. That tight orbit can cause “tidal locking,” where one side permanently faces the star and the other remains in darkness.
In that scenario, one hemisphere could be scorching and the other extremely cold, creating harsh conditions for life as we know it.
Scientists are still debating whether such worlds could maintain stable climates or oceans under those circumstances.
