“Astronomers have discovered a new Earth-like planet that is larger than our own and may be more than half covered with water, according to a study published Wednesday in the science journal Nature.
The so-called “super Earth” is about 42 light years away in another solar system and has a radius nearly 2.7 times larger than that of our planet, according to the study by the Harvard-Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysics. The discovery of the planet, called GJ 1214b, represents a “major step forward” in the search for worlds similar to the Earth, added the University of California’s Geoffrey Marcy in a commentary also in Nature.
The “newfound world” is too hot to sustain life as we know it, said the Harvard-Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysics in a statement. Its density suggests however it “is composed of about three-fourths water and other ices and one fourth-rock,” it said. “There are also tantalising hints that the planet has a gaseous atmosphere.” Its temperature is estimated at between 280 and 120 degrees Celsius (536 and 248 degrees Fahrenheit) with its host star about one-fifth the size of the Sun, according to the scientists.
“Despite its hot temperature, this appears to be a waterworld,” says Zachory Berta, a graduate student who first spotted hints of the planet’s presence. “It is much smaller, cooler and more Earthlike than any other known exoplanet,” he said in the statement. An exoplanet is one outside of our solar system.”
Read more at Yahoo News
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I discovered an Earth-like, water-rich planet this morning, without even using any special equipment. What’s more, there’s life there. I’m not sure if it’s intelligent, though.
Really want to see the Wired name petition win with ‘Fhloston Paradise’
“The so-called “super Earth” is about 42 light years away in another solar system”
I can’t decide if Yahoo is treating us like idiots, or if there really are people out there who think our solar system is 42 light years in diameter…
Looks like Ill be moving there then, sounds better than this crappy planet.
i cannot be the only one who can’t help but attach rather too much meaning to the number 42. especially when it’s spacey stuff.
Relax shell, this just proves Douglass Adams had always knew what he was doing.
Although based on my latest grammatical feat I still have no idea what I am doing…
That’s a hot planet … And where does the water come from when it boils and goes up in steam or is the atmosphere there like that that it works a bit different. Hm …. I’m glad I don’t live there. If it is really there, that is. It’s a lot of guessing they still do ofcourse. Brainstorming.
Hmmm… Does ’42′ seem just a bit convenient?
“is composed of about three-fourths water and other ices and one fourth-rock,”
Something against using the word \”quarter\” then ?
OMG 42!! WOW. Hypothetically speaking if there was life do you think they have found us yet?