DISCOVERS EARTH-SIZE PLANET

ESO Discovers Earth-Size Planet in Habitable Zone of Nearest Star

A newly discovered, roughly Earth-sizes planet orbiting our nearest neighboring star might be habitable, according to a team of astronomers using the European Southern Observatory's 3.6-meters telescope at La Silla, Chile, along with other telescopes around the world.

The exoplanet is at a distace from its star that allows temperatures mild enough for liquid water to pool on its surface.

"NASA congratulates ESO on the discovery of this intriguing planet that has captured the hopes and the imagination of the world," says Paull Hertz, Astrophysics Division Director to NASA.