Scientists have identified a remarkable exoplanet, TOI-1452 b, that may be unlike anything we have in our solar system — a “water world” completely submerged in an endless global ocean, orbiting two stars approximately 100 light-years away in the constellation Draco.
Here’s a closer look at what makes this discovery so exciting, and what it might tell us about the search for life beyond Earth.
—
A Super-Earth in the habitable zone
TOI-1452 b is classified as a “super-Earth” — larger than our planet but smaller than Neptune. It has a radius about 1.67 times that of Earth and a mass approximately 4.8 times Earth’s.
It orbits its host star every 11.1 days, at a distance of about 0.061 AU (astronomical units) from its star.
The host star is one of a binary pair of red dwarf (M-type) stars — TOI-1452 is part of a system where the two stars orbit each other at a distance of roughly 97 AU.
Because the star is cool and dim compared to the Sun, the amount of radiation TOI-1452 b receives puts it into what’s sometimes called a “temperate zone” — meaning its surface conditions might allow for liquid water rather than being too hot or too cold.
—
Why scientists believe it could be an ocean-covered planet
What sets TOI-1452 b apart is the combination of its size, mass and density — suggesting it could be rich in water. Interior modelling indicates that water could make up as much as 20 – 30 % of its mass. For comparison, Earth’s oceans account for less than 1 % of its mass.
The planet’s inferred density (~5.6 g/cm³) is lower than what you’d expect from a purely rocky planet of that size — meaning lighter materials (like water or volatiles) must make up a significant portion.
This leads to the hypothesis that TOI-1452 b could be entirely shrouded by a deep global ocean — no continents, no exposed rock, just water stretching for thousands of miles. Some scientists liken it to the icy ocean moons of Jupiter and Saturn (such as Ganymede or Titan) but scaled up.
—
Why this matters for the search for life
A planet covered in water opens intriguing possibilities for life — although it also raises new challenges. On Earth, water is fundamental for life, and having a large ocean increases the volume of potentially habitable space.
Because TOI-1452 b is relatively nearby (in cosmic terms) and orbits a star that is favourable for follow-up observations, it becomes a prime candidate for atmospheric study with instruments such as the James Webb Space Telescope.
If we can detect signs of an atmosphere, and ideally water vapour or other biosignature gases, we might get hints about whether this ocean world could support life or habitable conditions.
—
Caution: It’s promising — but not confirmed
While the “water world” description is compelling, scientists emphasise that many uncertainties remain:
The exact composition and structure of TOI-1452 b are still modelled rather than directly observed.
It’s possible the planet could instead be a huge rocky world with a thick hydrogen/helium atmosphere rather than a global ocean.
Being in the “temperate zone” doesn’t guarantee a benign climate — factors like atmospheric thickness, internal heat, and star-planet interactions all matter.
Future observations are required to nail down the atmosphere, surface conditions, and whether water is indeed present in significant quantities.
—
In summary
The discovery of TOI-1452 b gives us a rare glimpse of a planet that might be utterly different from Earth — one wrapped entirely by water, orbiting a red dwarf star in a binary system just 100 light-years away. If confirmed, it will expand our understanding of the kinds of worlds that exist in the galaxy, and reshape our ideas about where life might arise.
For now, it stands as one of the most exciting “ocean planet” candidates ever found — a real case of “Earth but drowned beneath the waves.”
—
Sources:
NASA Science: TOI-1452 b exoplanet catalogue.
Article “We just found a super-Earth that could be an ocean-covered water world”.
“Exoplanet water-world super-Earth found in nearby binary system”.
“A habitable-zone ocean planet has been discovered orbiting a red dwarf in a binary star system”.
“Potential interior structures and habitability of super-Earth exoplanets … TOI-1452 b”.
Wikipedia: TOI-1452 b summary.