A newly-discovered exoplanet could be the most promising sign yet in the search for life beyond Earth, astronomers say.
ADVERTISEMENTA newly-discovered exoplanet could be the most promising sign yet in the search for life beyond Earth, astronomers say.
The planet, which has been named LHS 1140b, is orbiting a red dwarf star some 40 light years away from our planet.
Astronomers are labelling it a ‘super Earth’.
According to a statement by the European Southern Observatory in Chile, it orbits a habitable area in the constellation of Cetus, the Sea Monster.
The exoplanet is estimated to be at least five billion years old.
ESO #HARPS instrument helps astronomers discover #exoplanet that may be best candidate for signs of life https://t.co/9PIFUpJWHSpic.twitter.com/bbmz1t3uO6
— ESO (@ESO) April 19, 2017
Video COURTESY EUROPEAN SOUTHERN OBSERVATORY