First Solid Planet, COROT-7B, Found Outside Our Solar System

2009-09-17 11:16:39

BEIJING, Sept. 17 (Xinhuanet) --

Astronomers have found a rocky planet outside our solar system, with a proven density similar to Earth's, according to a study report of a European team, media reported Wednesday.

The planet, known as COROT-7b, was discovered in February this year by the European space telescope COROT, which had been tracking the star it circles. It is about 500 light years away from Earth in the constellation of Monoceros, the Unicorn.

While scientists have been searching for life in the skies for quite a long time, it is believed that a planet needs a solid surface to support life. Of the more than 300 known exoplanets, this is the first one discovered that is not large and gaseous.

Finding a rocky planet with an Earthlike density takes us one step closer to discovering another planet similar to our own.

Although the planet is boiling hot and its lack of liquid water means it's unlikely to host life, scientists say this is still an important step because it shows that rocky planets really are commonplace.

The findings will be published in the Oct. 22 issue of the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics.

(Agencies)

Editor: Deng Shasha

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