Complete world information

Ross 128 b

Its quiet host star improves its appeal, but the atmosphere and surface remain unknown.

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Scientific status

No exoplanet is confirmed habitable or inhabited. Habitable-zone position only means that liquid surface water could be possible under the right atmospheric conditions. Rate the Earth percentages are editorial comparison scores, not scientific probabilities.

Rate the Earth habitability percentages are editorial comparison scores, not scientific proof of habitability or life.
NASA / ESO artist conceptTemperate nearby world concept
Rate the Earth habitability comparison57%
Potential candidate — not confirmed habitable
Probability of other life36%
Candidate for simple life
Distance modelApprox. 11 light-years

The listed value is the approximate present distance from Earth. Interstellar destinations move, but the difference is negligible compared with the enormous journey time at current spacecraft speeds.

One-way light time11 years

Minimum delay for information travelling at light speed.

Round-trip communication22 years

Approximate send-and-reply delay before processing time.

Real mission comparisonBeyond current mission capability

No spacecraft has travelled to this system

Host systemRoss 128Open the complete star-system information page →

Life potential

Could other life exist on Ross 128 b?

Ross 128 b is treated as a potentially habitable candidate, so this site assigns it a moderate editorial probability for simple non-human life.

Editorial probability of other life36%
Candidate for simple life

Why this score?

  • Rate the Earth habitability comparison score: 57%.
  • Atmosphere clue: Unknown.
  • Host-star context: M-type red dwarf.
  • The catalog flags this world as a potentially habitable candidate.

This probability is an editorial astrobiology estimate based on public characteristics, not a formal scientific measurement.

Complete data sheet

Everything listed for Ross 128 b

Measured values, estimates, discovery information and the main uncertainties are shown together below.

WorldRoss 128 b
ClassificationTemperate super-Earth
Host systemRoss 128
Host starM-type red dwarf
Distance from EarthApprox. 11 light-years
RadiusAbout 1.11 × Earth (estimate)
MassAbout 1.4 × Earth
GravityLikely near Earth range
AtmosphereUnknown
TemperatureModel-dependent
Orbital period9.9 days
Discovery year2017
Discovery methodRadial velocity
Habitability statusPotential candidate — not confirmed habitable
Candidate classificationPotentially habitable candidate — not confirmed habitable
Image statusNo resolved surface image; displayed visual is a labelled artist concept
DistanceAbout 11 light-years
MassAbout 1.4 × Earth
Orbital periodAbout 9.9 days
Host starRelatively quiet M dwarf

Travel calculation

How long would the journey take?

Straight-line arithmetic is compared with real mission history. Actual trajectories depend on orbital mechanics, acceleration, braking, launch windows and gravity assists.

At light speed11 years299,792 km/s

A physical reference only. A spacecraft with mass cannot reach light speed.

At 10% of light speed110 years29,979 km/s — hypothetical

No operational spacecraft can sustain this interstellar cruise speed.

At 1% of light speed1,100 years2,998 km/s — hypothetical

Still far beyond current spacecraft propulsion.

At Parker Solar Probe peak17,156 yearsAbout 692,000 km/h

Parker reaches this speed only very close to the Sun; it is not an interstellar cruise speed.

At New Horizons launch speed202,812 yearsAbout 58,536 km/h

A comparison using a real high-energy launch from Earth.

At Voyager 1 speed193,983 yearsAbout 61,200 km/h

A practical comparison with a spacecraft already moving into interstellar space.

Research guide

What we know, and what we do not know

What is directly known

The planet itself is not resolved as a detailed globe. Its existence and properties are inferred mainly through radial velocity, together with measurements of the host star.

What remains unknown

Surface geography, oceans, continents, clouds and living organisms have not been directly observed. Atmosphere and composition may also remain uncertain.

What is known

Ross 128 b is a low-mass planet detected by radial velocity around one of the nearest quiet red dwarfs.

Habitability limits

Its atmosphere is unknown and its close orbit may produce tidal effects.

Why it stands out

The host star is quieter than Proxima Centauri, making the system attractive for future atmospheric observations.

Primary catalog source: NASA Science