Planet Found in Alpha Centauri System

The European Southern Observatory has just announce the discovery of a planet in the Alpha Centauri system! Our nearest neighboring star system, only 4.3 light years away, makes this discovery unbelievably exciting.

The planet is roughly the same size and mass as Earth, but orbits very close to its host star, Alpha Centauri B, meaning there is virtually no chance of finding life on the planet. But in a star system where one planet has formed, there is a good chance that there are others.

For more on this exciting news, check out the press release from ESO, or read what Phil Plait has to say on the discovery.