In Apple TV’s *Pluribus*, a faint transmission from the depths of space transforms humanity, with astronomers discovering that its origin is Kepler-22b, a planet located far outside our solar system. In episode 8, Carol and Zosia search for its star using a telescope. “I’m not certain I’m looking in the correct place,” Carol states. “I believe I can see the Swan.” After adjusting her orientation — and Zosia reducing the light interference by turning off all the lights — Carol proclaims that she spots the star, Kepler-22. “And the planet, which is invisible to the eye, is Kepler-22b. That’s what we named it. We have no clue what they call it,” Zosia adds. “Sometimes we shut our eyes and attempt to visualize it.” For fans curious about the scientific basis behind the fiction, the reality is more substantial than one might expect. However, the actual knowledge we possess about this genuine exoplanet is significantly less than what scientists desire. (We don’t have a collective intelligence working on it.)

Is Kepler-22b a genuine planet?

NASA identified Kepler-22b in 2009 by utilizing data from its namesake, the Kepler Space Telescope, a mission crafted to search for planets orbiting other stars. Other observatories validated the results in 2011. Nonetheless, Kepler did not take a photograph of the planet. Instead, it monitored for minute fluctuations in a star’s brightness. When a planet passes in front of its star, it obscures a small portion of light. Detecting that dimming repeatedly at consistent intervals allows astronomers to confirm a planet’s existence. This technique is known as the “transit method” of planet detection, but one can visualize it as watching for cosmic blinks. “Luck was on our side with the discovery of this planet,” stated William Borucki, who directed the team that discovered Kepler-22b, at that time. “The first transit was observed merely three days after we announced the spacecraft was operationally ready. We noted the pivotal third transit during the 2010 holiday period.”

Kepler-22b resides within its star’s habitable zone, where conditions may permit liquid water to appear on a planet’s surface.

Does Kepler-22b possess air and water?

Kepler-22b orbits a star similar to the sun, though it is somewhat smaller and cooler. One complete orbit around that G-type star takes about 290 days — nearly equivalent to an Earth year. This timing is significant since it positions Kepler-22b in what many scientists refer to as the “habitable zone.” This region around a star is where temperatures might allow water to exist on the surface of a planet in liquid form, assuming the planet has the suitable type of atmosphere. The existence of liquid water is crucial because every form of life we are aware of relies on it. This aspect contributed to news headlines dubbing Kepler-22b as a “new Earth” or “Earth’s twin” over a decade ago. Yet, the reality is more complex. Kepler-22b is larger than Earth, with a radius approximately twice as great. For now, this categorizes it as a “super-Earth.” The term may sound impressive, but it simply means “larger than Earth, smaller than Neptune.” And, no, it doesn’t necessarily imply a more advanced version of home.

Is Kepler-22b a terrestrial planet like Earth?

In fact, scientists remain uncertain about the composition of Kepler-22b. It might be rocky like Earth, it might be enveloped by an ocean, or it could be akin to a miniature Neptune, shrouded in dense gas with no solid surface at all (although, to be honest, we might not even be aware of Neptune’s true composition, as reported by Mashable recently). All these scenarios align with the measurements astronomers can currently take. The temperature of the planet is also ambiguous. Models indicate that if Kepler-22b had an atmosphere akin to Earth’s, its surface temperature might be around 72 degrees Fahrenheit. However, atmospheres retain heat in varied manners. A denser atmosphere, like that of Venus, could lead to a considerably hotter planet, resulting in the evaporation of liquids, while a thinner atmosphere like Mars’ could keep it icy.

What distinguishes Kepler-22b?

What Kepler-22b does signify is a landmark achievement. It was the first confirmed planet located definitively within the habitable zone of a sun-like star. Its discovery demonstrated that planets close to Earth’s size, within Earth-like orbits, are not unattainable to discover. Kepler subsequently identified thousands of additional candidates, many of which are smaller and cooler than the initial findings.

Apple TV’s *Pluribus* highlights Kepler-22b, a genuine habitable-zone exoplanet located by NASA that remains an enigma in science.

Can a spacecraft reach Kepler-22b?

*Pluribus* envisions Kepler-22b as an oceanic world that sends a gift to