{
  "id": 4718456,
  "title": "Looking for Earth 2.0 in binary systems",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/looking-for-earth-2-0-in-binary-systems-4718456",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-31T21:20:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-08-earth-binary.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Scientists have yet to discover an Earth-mass, rocky planet in the habitable zone of a sun-like star. Around half of the sun-like stars near us have companion stars, which complicates the search for exoplanets in these multistar systems. Currently, three main methods are used to hunt for exoplanets: transiting, radial velocity, and astrometry. Transiting and radial velocity have limitations, making astrometry the most promising approach. Astrometry measures the exact position of stars against a background field of stars, but sensitivity issues have hindered progress. The new NASA Small Explorer mission SHERA aims to use astrometry in a novel way. Instead of mapping a star against the background, SHERA focuses on bright, closely separated binary pairs of stars. These binaries act as co-moving reference points, eliminating background error and canceling out large-scale optical distortions. To achieve the required sub-microarcsecond precision, SHERA uses a diffractive pupil created through electron-beam lithography. The mission will search for Earth-mass planets around the closest target stars, test the suppression of planet formation in close-in binaries, and provide additional context to ground-based radial velocity data. If successful, SHERA could significantly contribute to the Habitable Worlds Observatory, a more expensive mission targeting these stars.",
  "summary": "While astronomers have found thousands of exoplanets over the last few decades, the true prize continues to elude them—they have yet to find an Earth-mass, rocky planet orbiting in the habitable zone of a sun-like star. That's partially due to cosmic geography—around half of all sun-like stars near us aren't alone. They have one or more companion stars that complicate their orbital dynamics, as…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Universe Today",
        "title": "Looking for Earth 2.0 in Binary Systems",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/looking-for-earth-2-0-in-binary-systems",
        "published": "2026-08-31T13:52:30.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}