Source: BBC

Kepler telescope discovers 100 Earth-sized planets

By Paul Rincon
Science editor, BBC News website

10 May 2016 Science & Environment

Nasa's Kepler telescope has discovered more than 100 Earth-sized planets orbiting alien stars.

It has also detected nine small planets within the so-called habitable zone, where conditions are favourable for liquid water - and potentially life.

The finds are contained within a catalogue of 1,284 new planets detected by Kepler - which more than doubles the previous tally.

Nasa said it was the biggest single announcement of new exoplanets.

Space agency scientists discussed the new findings in a teleconference on Tuesday.

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Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-36256725