News Planetary Science

Planet Hunt Strikes Rock: Hot kin of Earth orbits nearby star

By Ron Cowen

- More than 2 years ago

Moving closer to the goal of finding a planet just like home, astronomers this week announced their discovery of the closest known cousin to Earth—a solid world just 15 light-years beyond the solar system.

ALMOST HOME. Newly detected planet may be Earth’s closest cousin beyond the solar system. Artist’s conception is shown.