The first earth-like planet may have been discovered recently by astronomers. The rocky planet is approximately 7 1/2 times the size of earth and orbits a small star in the constellation of Aquarius. Scientists say the distant world is lifeless.
It took three years of observations of the distant star to determine that the planet was there and what it was like. More than 150 observations were used to come to that conclusion. The star is labeled Gliese 876 and is located approximately 15 light years away from earth.
'This new technology has revealed the most terrestrial planet ever found,' said Geoffrey W. Marcy, the leader of the research team and an astronomer at the University of California at Berkeley. 'For the first time, we are finding our planetary kin among the stars.'
Because of the great distance involved, planets in other solar systems are not visible to astronomers. Instead, they measure the 'wobble' induced by the planet's gravity on the star.
'Over the years, we've announced the discoveries of 107 extra-solar planets, and we consider this the most exciting,' Marcy told the 'Washington Post.'
Despite being the most similar planet to earth discovered in a distant solar system, the planet is not all that earth-like.
'The surface of the planet is very warm -- between 400 and 700 degrees Fahrenheit,' Marcy said.
Scientists described the planet as rocky and as being geologically active. Astronomers hope that more exciting discoveries await.
