NASA announced the discovery of the closest to Earth exoplanet – RBC

The exoplanet HD 219134b

Photo: NASA

The orbital telescope NASA« Spitzer “and the Keck Observatory in Hawaii confirmed the existence of extrasolar planets similar to Earth, which is located at a distance of 21 light years from the sun. Thus, it is the closest planet to the solar system of this type.

The planet, called HD 219134b larger Earth 1.6 times. It was discovered in the system, located in the constellation Cassiopeia. The experts made it clear that life on this planet is not possible, as it runs too close to its star.

July 23 NASA announced the discovery of Earth-like planets around a star similar to the Sun orbiting telescope “Hubble”. This planet orbits its star in the “zone of life”, that is, the temperature and other conditions on it suggests the existence of living organisms.

The planet, called Kepler-452b, 60% larger than the Earth, and its mass the composition is unknown. Scientists have estimated her age 6 billion years. Year on this planet lasts 385 days, and its orbit is 5% longer than Earth’s. Open Planet is also a 5% further from its star Kepler-452 than the Earth from the sun.

«The 20th

anniversary of the discovery, which proved the presence of planets orbiting other suns, a researcher at exoplanets” Kepler “discovered planet and the star, who are most similar to the Earth and the sun. This is an outstanding result, which makes us a step closer to finding Earth-2.0 “, – said the head of NASA science programs Gransfeld John.

Representatives of the agency hoped that Kepler-452b help to understand the future of the Earth and its environment . Analysts NASA admitted that the presence of the planet necessary ingredients for her life may be.