Editor's note

We've all seen the breathless headlines about the next Earth, Super-Earth or Earth 2.0 every time astronomers spot an exoplanet – one that could sustain life – somewhere in the Universe.

But these calculations are based on invented ranking systems that make extremely simple assumptions about the characteristics of the planets they are trying to describe, says Josh Tan. The best we can do for now is make a list of promising planets for future observation.

Reema Rattan

Global Commissioning Editor

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Have we really discovered other “Earth-like” planets orbiting around other stars? Understanding what we do and do not know about exoplanets is the key to answering this question. ESO/L. Calcada/N. Risinger/Reuters

Until we get better tools, excited reports of 'habitable planets' need to come back down to Earth

Joshua Tan, Universidad Católica de Chile

Over the last 20 years, advances in the field of exoplanet discovery have excited the imaginations of scientists and enthusiasts alike. But we're not in position to know yet whether a planet is habitable.

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