Photo: Earthlike Planet Spied in Distant Solar System

Email to a Friend << Back to Full Story


An artist's conception shows the newly discovered planet OGLE-2005-BLG-390Lb orbiting its red dwarf host star.

The Earthlike planet, located 20,000 light-years away from our own, is the smallest ever found in orbit around a so-called normal star outside our solar system.

The discovery raises the prospect that our galaxy is full of planets conducive to life, say astronomers behind the find.

Illustration courtesy European Southern Observatory

EMAIL NEWSLETTER Photos and News of the Week

Get the top photos and news of the week from National Geographic News, plus occasional breaking-news alerts.

See Sample >>
Please enter a valid email address
Privacy Policy

MOST VIEWED NEWS

PHOTO IN THE NEWS: "Conjoined" Birds Puzzle Experts

Total Solar Eclipse on August 1: Where, How to See It

Russian Mystery Blast Caused by Comet, Acid Rain Hints
NEWS FEEDS    After installing a news reader, click on this icon to download National Geographic News's XML/RSS feed. After installing a news reader, click on this icon to download National Geographic News's XML/RSS feed.

Get our news delivered directly to your desktop—free.
How to Use XML or RSS

ADVERTISEMENT

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC'S PHOTO OF THE DAY

Today's National Geographic Photo of the Day

• Today's Photo

• Download as Wallpaper

Photo and Headline Widget

Put our latest news and photos on your Web page or desktop—automatically updates! See Sample
Download Widget