Exoplanet K2-18b was discovered during the “second light” mission of the Kepler space telescope. The star K2-18 is located about 124 light years from us, in the constellation of Leo.
Two independent studies, examining data from Kepler and the Hubble and Spitzer space telescopes, have concluded that there are significant amounts of water vapor in its atmosphere. This is the first time that water vapor is detected in the atmosphere of a planet orbiting within the habitable zone of its star. The star is a red dwarf, and the planet orbits it once every 33 days. It is very likely that the planet is tidally locked to its star.
This is (in my opinion) quite an important discovery. Opinions?
Links:
(abstract of the paper that discloses water vapor in the atmosphere of K2-18b; submitted on September 10).
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-019-0878-9
Also, it is interesting to note that the system of star K2-18 seems to have yet another planet in it, K2-18c, orbiting closer to the star but not in the same plane as K2-18b. However, it appears that the system is so far stable.
Link:
All in all, QUITE interesting and exciting findings!