Alien earth 'could support life', but what is Kepler 438b like?

Newly discovered planet is 40 per cent hotter than Earth – but sits in the 'Goldilocks zone' with liquid water

Planetary system of Gliese 581

Astronomers have discovered eight new planets that could potentially host life, including one that is "the most Earth-like" they have found yet.

The "incredible" findings were announced at a meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Seattle. But what makes them so significant?

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