Scientists Confirm Discovery Of Earth-Like Planet

In the sky above ESO's La Silla Observatory, the Southern Cross is visible to the right of the dome of a Danish 1.54-metre telescope. To the lower right of the image, two stars sparkle in the dark sky. From right to left, these are Alpha and Beta Centauri

Scientists announced the discovery of a habitable planet Wednesday, orbiting the solar system’s nearest neighboring sun Proxima Centauri.

Rumors of the finding circulated for several days and were confirmed by the European Southern Observatory (ESO), which added more details in a press conference.

Kelly Beatty of Sky & Telescope talks about the planet with Here & Now‘s Jeremy Hobson.

Guest

Kelly Beatty, senior editor at Sky & Telescope Magazine. He tweets @NightSkyGuy.

Copyright 2016 NPR. To see more, visit NPR.

300x250 Ad

More Here and Now

300x250 Ad

Support quality journalism, like the story above, with your gift right now.

Donate