The detection and study of potentially habitable exoplanets is a cutting-edge topic in contemporary astronomy. The National Medium- and Long-Term Development Plan for Space Science (2024–2050) has been officially released, identifying “Nearby Habitable Exoplanets” as one of its key scientific frontiers. The Closeby Habitable Exoplanet Survey (CHES) (http://www.ps.pmo.cas.cn/CHES/)) aims to search for Earth-like planets in the habitable zones around 100 nearby Sun-like stars located within approximately 32 light-years of the Solar System. Utilizing micro-arcsecond-level space-based astrometry, CHES will conduct a comprehensive census of nearby planetary systems, determining the true masses and three-dimensional orbital parameters of detected planets, and establishing a complete database of nearby exoplanets.
The CHES telescope features a 1.2-meter aperture and will operate at the Sun-Earth Lagrange point L2 for a planned five-year scientific mission. The mission is expected to achieve significant breakthroughs in detecting terrestrial planets within the habitable zones of nearby solar-type stars. With its innovative technological approach, CHES offers unique advantages in the search for potentially habitable Earth-like planets. This pioneering research will address fundamental questions such as: What is the distribution of nearby habitable exoplanets? Is Earth unique? and How do planets become cradles of life?
