Scientist find an earthlike planet nearby (WOW)

Astronomers announced earlier this week that they found a water-rich and relatively nearby planet that's similar in size to Earth. The discovery is being recognized as a major breakthrough in the search for life on other planets. "we have found a watery world orbiting a very nearby star," said David Charbonneau, a Harvard professor of astronomy. The planet, named GJ 1214b, is 2.7 times larger than Earth and orbits a star that is smaller and has less lumen's than our sun. The discovery of this "watery world" helps debunk the notion that Earth-like planets could form only in conditions similar to those in our solar system. Instead of using high-powered telescopes attached to satellites, they spotted the planet using an amateur-sized, 16-inch telescope on the ground. The planet is also rather near to our solar system -- only about 40 light-years away. Planet GJ 1214b is classified as a "super-Earth" because it is between one and 10 times as large as Earth. Scientists have known about the existence of super-Earths for only a couple of years. Scientists don't discount the idea that this planet could hold extraterrestrial life.

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