Earth-like alien planet. Computer illustration of a view across the surface of an Earth-like planet towards clouds of dust and gas in the Orion Nebula in the background. Earth-like planets capable of supporting life are found only in a star's habitable zone, a region around a star where the surface temperature of a planet is suitable for liquid water. The Orion Nebula, or Messier 42 (M42), is a diffuse nebula situated south of Orion's Belt. It lies about 1350 light-years from Earth.