These 7 Earth-Sized Planets Were Seen By NASA Outside Our Solar System
Updated: February 23, 2017 00:08 IST
NASA has found a nearby solar system with seven Earth-sized planets, three of which circle their parent star at the right distance for liquid surface water, raising the prospect of life, research published on Wednesday showed. The star, known as TRAPPIST-1, is a small, dim celestial body in the constellation Aquarius. It is located about 40 light years away from Earth.
NASA said the Spitzer Space Telescope has found that the planets are as large as Earth and are in a "habitable zone". (Image source: NASA)
The Solar system is around 40 light-years, which is 235 trillion miles, away from Earth, in a constellation called Aquarius. (Image source: NASA)
These planets are scientifically known as exoplanets because they are located outside of our solar system. The exoplanet system is called TRAPPIST-1, named for The Transiting Planets and Planetesimals Small Telescope (TRAPPIST) in Chile. (Image source: NASA)
The scientists have measured the density of six of the planets and say further research will show if they have water on their surface. (Image source: NASA)
The stunning discovery of seven Earth-like planets orbiting a small star in our galaxy opens up the most promising hunting ground to date for life beyond the Solar System, researchers said Wednesday. (Image source: AFP)
