European Southern Observatory (ESO) reflecting telescope has discovered a planet close-by, which is 5.4 times bigger than the Earth; orbiting a Red Dwarf - Proxima Centauri. The planet named "Super-Earth" is 33 light years away, which is expected to be a residence for aliens.
"Super-Earth" is an exoplanet, which means it is outside our solar system - scientifically known as GJ 536 b is near to its host star. Scientist estimate that the newly discovered Earth-like planet might take less than nine days to reach its host star per the study published in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics.
Scientists suspect life on "Super-Earth" with respect to its relative closeness to its host star and similar rocky planets close to it as the Earth has. Out of the 4,000 exoplanets found by NASA "Super-Earth" has caught up scientists' interest with some of its similar features as that of our solar system.
According to Express.co.uk, Jonay Isaí González, of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC), said: "This rocky exoplanet is orbiting a star much smaller and cooler than the Sun but, sufficiently nearby and bright."
"Super-Earth" is observable from both the northern and southern hemispheres, so that it is a very interesting for future high stability spectrographs and in particular for the possible detection of another rocky planet in the habitability zone of the star, González added.
According to lead author Alejandro Suárez Mascareño, such rocky planets usually occur in groups orbiting sun-like round stars. He is sure of finding more low-mass planets like "super-Earths" orbiting their host star, with periods from 100 days up to a few years.
Scientists believe the "Super-Earth" orbiting Proxima Centauri to be earth-like and could hold liquid water on its surface - a requirement for the emergence of life or life may be existing. "Super-Earth" is the first exoplanet discovered with so many earth-like features like never before.
