Overall, this study highlights a new perspective on the distribution of super-Earths and their potential for hosting life, reshaping our understanding of planetary systems.

Astronomers have recently discovered that super-Earths, rocky planets with masses up to ten times that of Earth, are more common than previously thought and may exist on wider orbits.

This groundbreaking research utilized the Korea Microlensing Telescope Network (KMTNet), which operates across three sites in different time zones to continuously monitor the night sky.

The findings were based on the observation of the exoplanet OGLE-2016-BLG-0007 during a gravitational microlensing event, revealing a significant planet-to-star mass ratio.

The research team aims to enhance their analysis by incorporating additional KMTNet data to identify more super-Earths in wide orbits, with their results published in the journal Science on April 24, 2025.

They estimate that there are approximately 0.35 super-Earths per star in wide orbits similar to Jupiter's, suggesting the existence of distinct populations of terrestrial and gas giant planets.

Previous data from the Kepler space telescope indicated that super-Earths were primarily found within one astronomical unit (AU) from their stars, but these new findings suggest they can also exist up to 10 AU away.

These discoveries have significant implications for understanding habitable zones around stars, which are regions where conditions may allow for the presence of liquid water.

Super-Earths in wider orbits around hotter stars might occupy these habitable zones, expanding the potential for life beyond Earth.

Jennifer Yee from the Center for Astrophysics emphasized the importance of measuring the properties of larger planet populations to better define habitable zones beyond our current understanding.

KMTNet employs gravitational lensing, a phenomenon predicted by Einstein's general relativity, to identify exoplanets by observing the distortion of light caused by massive bodies in space.

This research reveals an abundance of super-Earths in orbits similar to Saturn's, indicating that their prevalence in the universe has been underestimated.