Future Observations and Atmosphere Search
HD 137010b’s host star is relatively bright (magnitude 10), making it accessible for both professional observatories and advanced amateur telescopes. Detecting the planet’s atmosphere would involve measuring starlight filtered through the planet during transit and subtracting the star’s light when the planet is hidden behind it.
NASA’s TESS, ESA’s CHEOPS, and the upcoming PLATO mission, scheduled for launch in December 2026, could provide the next opportunity to observe transits and gather data on the planet’s size, orbit, and possible atmosphere.
Could HD 137010b Support Life?
Researchers estimate a 40% chance that HD 137010b is within the “conservative” habitable zone, where conditions are more restrictive for liquid water. There is a 51% chance it lies in the broader “optimistic” habitable zone, where rotational effects and geothermal heat could keep the planet warmer. Even so, there remains a significant possibility—around 50%—that the planet is outside the habitable zone entirely.
While the surface may be frozen without an atmosphere, a CO₂-rich atmosphere or other greenhouse gases could allow for liquid water and moderate temperatures. Scientists emphasize that more data is needed before determining the planet’s true potential for habitability.
