Nasa telescope finds Earth-like planet

Kepler-22b, a planet known to comfortably circle in the habitable zone of a sun-like star. It is the first planet that NASA's Kepler mission has confirmed to orbit in a star's habitable zone - the region around a star where liquid water, a requirement for (AP)

Nasa has found a new planet outside Earth's solar system that is eerily similar in important aspects.

Scientists say the temperature on the surface of the planet is around 22 Celsius. Its star could almost be a twin of Earth's sun. It probably has water and land.

It was found in the middle of the habitable zone, making it the best potential target for life.

The discovery announced today was made by Nasa's Kepler planet-hunting telescope. This is the first time Kepler confirmed a planet outside Earth's solar system in the habitable zone.

Twice before astronomers have announced planets found in that zone, but neither was as promising. One was disputed; the other is on the hot edge of the zone.

AP