…now we just need both together.
European researchers have found a tiny exoplanet that’s only 1.9 times the size of Earth, and say that a neighboring planet discovered previously is in the prime zone for potential life.
Gliese 581 e (the little one) is too close to its star for life as we know it, but being able to detect such a small body at such a great distance (20.5 light years away) is a good indication that we’re progressing in our ability to detect Earth-like planets. Gliese 581 d is in the habitable zone, but is probably too large to be made of rocky material (although they don’t rule out the possibility of a deep ocean).
Current exoplanet research is focused on finding a body that’s both similar to Earth in size and in the right spot to support life. Finding these two planets is an encouraging sign.