Science

The 7 confirmed exoplanets most likely to host life (pictures)

Humanity's most advanced telescopes have begun to confirm distant planets circling their stars within the habitable zone. Use a conservative definition of what makes a potentially habitable planet, and these 7 exoplanets still make the grade.

Eric Mack

Eric Mack has been a CNET contributor since 2011. Eric and his family live 100% energy and water independent on his off-grid compound in the New Mexico desert. Eric uses his passion for writing about energy, renewables, science and climate to bring educational content to life on topics around the solar panel and deregulated energy industries. Eric helps consumers by demystifying solar, battery, renewable energy, energy choice concepts, and also reviews solar installers. Previously, Eric covered space, science, climate change and all things futuristic. His encrypted email for tips is ericcmack@protonmail.com.

See full bio

Eric Mack

May 9, 2014 12:35 p.m. PT

1 of 8 NASA/JPL-Caltech/T. Pyle

Kepler-186f

In April 2014, the existence of Kepler-186f, an Earth-like planet in the habitable zone of its star that may have liquid water on its surface, was confirmed. It's one of seven exoplanets that that the Planetary Habitability Laboratory lists as most likely to be of rocky composition with the right temperatures for liquid water. Keep clicking through the gallery to see more from Kepler-186f and the six other exoplanets.

2 of 8 University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo / NASA

Earth's chilly cousin?

Kepler-186f orbits an M-class dwarf star and receives only about a third of the energy from its sun that Earth receives from our own star. If conditions are right and liquid water exists there, it could look like the above conception, a slightly more chilly version of Earth with shallow oceans.

3 of 8 University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo / PHL

A distant sunset

The Planetary Habitability Laboratory of the University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo created this excellent comparison of a gorgeous Caribbean sunset as it appears on Earth, and how a similar spot might look if it were relocated to Kepler-186f at dusk.

4 of 8 Joachim Michaelis / Screenshot by Eric Mack/CNET

Kepler-283c

Kepler-283c was discovered as part of a huge data dump from Kepler earlier this year that included over 700 newly confirmed exoplanets. It is about twice the size of Earth and orbits much closer to its home star, which is 1,743 light years from Earth.

5 of 8 University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo

Gliese 667C e and f

Some of the strangest exoplanets can be found in the habitable zone of Gliese 667C , which is one of three suns in the triple-star Gliese 667 system. This probably makes for some interesting skyscapes from planets Gliese-667Ce and Gliese-667Cf, the two most likely planets in the system to harbor water (a third planet nearby is also in the habitable zone, but with slightly less favorable conditions for life.)

6 of 8 University of Hertfordshire

HD 40307g

The composition of the surface of planet HD 40307g is not yet known, but that could soon change. At only 42 light years away, we could be able to take a close look at this super-Earth with the next generation of telescopes.

7 of 8 NASA Ames/JPL-Caltech

Kepler-62f

The star Kepler 62 has three planets in its habitable zone, and Kepler-62f is the one closest in size to Earth and most likely to have a rocky composition. Call your intergalactic realtor today.

8 of 8 DarinK/deviantART/CC License

Gliese 581d

Gliese 581d is practically around the galactic corner at just 20 light years away, however it might have a thick carbon dioxide atmosphere that could make it inhospitable. But scientists also believe it could be rocky with liquid water. Import a rain forest and perhaps we can work with what's here.