The European Space Agency's Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) probe has spotted a habitable planet roughly one astronomical unit from its host star. The spacecraft spotted several molecules and elements in its nitrogen-rich atmosphere suggesting that organic life could not only survive but potentially thrive on the planet's largely ocean-covered surface.

A spacecraft en route to the frozen moons of Jupiter has taken a very close look at Earth, and found that our homeworld is, in fact, habitable.

The European Space Agency's JUICE spacecraft just confirmed Earth's habitability during its flyby. But why was this even necessary?

JUICE successfully identified water and the building blocks of life in Earth's atmosphere. In doing so, the probe headed for Jupiter's moons confirmed that its instruments are working properly.