UK researchers have confirmed the discovery of a “super-Earth” exoplanet, HD 20794 d, located 20 light-years away, which may offer clues about extraterrestrial life.

The planet, six times the size of Earth, orbits a star similar to the Sun in a habitable zone that could support water.

Although its eccentric orbit causes its distance from the star to fluctuate, potentially freezing or melting water, its proximity and brightness make it an ideal candidate for future study, the New York Post has reported.

While it’s in the habitable zone, scientists still need to determine whether it has an atmosphere or water, making it too early to confirm if life could exist there.

Written by B.C. Begley