New Planet: Another Earth discovered by scientists?

RussiaToday
September 30, 2010
COURTESY: NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
R. Paul Butler, Planet co-discoverer
Steve Vogt, Planet co-discoverer

Astronomers have announced they have discovered an earth like planet that could support the crucial conditions needed for life to exist. The new planet sits directly in the middle of what is referred to as the habitable or Goldilocks zone (Gliese 581 g), unlike any of the nearly 500 other planets astronomers have found outside Earth's solar system. It also is in Earth's galactic neighbourhood, suggesting that plenty of Earth-like planets circle other stars. Astronomers say the planet is neither too far from its star, not too close and could contain liquid water.