Scientists have come out and confirmed that they have found a new planet orbiting a distant star. The planetary system goes around the star 55 Cancri.
Astronomers from California made the announcement on Tuesday. They stated that they can safely confirm that new planet has been discovered. They have found that this particular planet is orbing the star known as 55 Cancri. The unique aspect about this is that the particular star it is circling is very similar to the sun in our solar system.
This is the first time five planets have been found orbiting a solar system outside of our own!
Researchers stated that the new planet is 45 times larger than Earth and has an orbit which lasts 260 days.
They also stated that temperatures on the planet could support life as well as water, making it a “habitable zone.”
Debra Fischer, lead author in a report which will be soon published, stated they believe that there are many more planets in the 55 Cancri system, some which like this planet, can support actual life.