Newly discovered extra-solar planet may be Earth-like

April 24, 2007

A planet 50% greater in radius and with about 5 times earth mass orbiting the  has been discovered inside the constellation of.

A 2005 search revealed that the star Gliese 581 possessed a sized planet, prompting astronomers to take a closer look.

, as the planet is aptly named, has an estimated surface temperature between 0 and 40°C (32 and 104°F). Scientists claim the planet is likely to have an atmosphere and liquid water. A second planet, about 8 times the mass of earth, was also discovered not too far from Gliese 581 c.

A team of scientists from France, Switzerland and Portugal discovered the planets using the ESO 3.6-m telescope from the or HARPS, located at the  (ESO) in, Chile.

"The separation between the planet and its star is just right for having liquid water at its surface," said team spokesperson Stephane Udry of the in, Switzerland. "That's why we are a bit excited."

"Liquid water is critical to life as we know it and because of its temperature and relative proximity, this planet will most probably be a very important [focus] of future space missions dedicated to the search for extra-terrestrial life. On the treasure map of the Universe, one would be tempted to mark this planet with an X," added Xavier Delfosse, from in France.

The newly discovered planet is 20.5 light-years away from the Earth.