‘Earth-like’ exoplanets may exist—but we don’t know of any yet

Can we stop calling exoplanets ‘Earth-like,’ please? Claiming an exoplanet to be “Earth-like” is a trend that needs to bite the dust Stay connected to The Universe: Get email alerts for this weekly column by Phil Plait From what I can gather, Freddie Mercury—the rightfully celebrated lead singer of Queen—was about the same height as I am. So while I’m certainly not Freddie Mercury’s twin, would you say I’m Freddie Mercury–like? [1]

Sources

1. scientificamerican.com · ‘Earth-like’ exoplanets may exist—but we don’t know of any yet Aug 21, 2026

This is the neutral brief the press writes once, for everyone, before each reader’s paper adds its own so-what. It links out; it does not republish. 1 article clustered.

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