Nasa space telescope finds 'twin' of Earth orbiting a distant Sun-like star

• 'This find will be remembered in 100 years time' - scientists
• First time a planet of this size has been detected
• Two planets, one earth-sized, one just smaller
• 'Important milestone' for Nasa's world-seeking Kepler telescope

By Rob Waugh

Last updated at 7:05 PM on 20th December 2011

A rocky planet the same size as the Earth has been discovered orbiting a star like our sun.
It is the first time a planet of this size has been detected in another solar system. Scientists have hailed the technical achievement of detecting Earth sized ‘exoplanets’ - the technical term for planets outside the solar system - as it increases the chances of finding life-bearing worlds.
Although the planet, Kepler-20f could have a thick water-vapour atmosphere, its surface is believed to be too hot for life.

Kepler 20f has been hailed as a major discovery - it's the first earth-sized planet found orbiting a star like our own Sun

‘This could be an important milestone. I think 10 years or maybe even 100 years from now people will look back and ask when the first Earth-sized planet was found. It is very exciting,' says Dr Fessin

A second planet in the same system, Kepler-20e, is only slightly smaller than Earth and even hotter.
Both worlds circle their parent star closely with 'years' that last just nine and sixteen days respectively.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2076711/Kepler-20f-Nasa-space-telescope-finds-twin-Earth-orbiting-distant-Sun-like-star.html#ixzz1h7BamTkO

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