This artistic illustration released by the European Southern Observatory on Tuesday, April 24, 2007, shows planets orbiting the red dwarf star, Gliese 581. Astronomers believe that the newly discovered planet Gliese 581c, left, is potentially habitable. (AP)
Earth-Like Planet Discovered Story aired: Thursday, April 26, 2007
Astronomers are in a tizzy.
For the first time an Earth-like planet has been discovered outside our solar system. Gliese 581c was found by a consortium of European astronomers 20.5 light years from Earth. The planet is in what is called the "Goldilocks Zone," a narrow orbit in which temperatures are not too hot, not too cold, but just right for water and possibly life.
For more on this discovery we speak with Kelley Beatty, planetary specialist for Sky and Telescope magazine.
