A potentially habitable Earth-like planet has been discovered orbiting the GJ625 (Gliese 625) star 21 light-years away. According to scientists, the celestial world may host surface liquid water.
A research team from Canary Island’s Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias (IAC) spotted the planet in the habitable zone of its host star, NDTV reported. It was found to have a mass twice to thrice that of Earth. Incidentally, this is the sixth super-Earth discovered nearest to the solar system, which also happens to be located in its parent star’s habitable zone.
"As GJ625 is a relatively cool star, the planet is situated at the edge of its habitability zone, in which liquid water can exist on its surface," said IAC’s Alejandro Suarez.Mascareno, as reported by Deccan Chronicle. "In fact, depending on the cloud cover of its atmosphere and on its rotation, it could potentially be habitable."
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