Kepler 452B: Nasa announces discovery of new planet seen as 'close cousin' to Ea

[Dingo]

Nasa scientists have announced the discovery of a "close cousin" to the Earth with an atmosphere that could contain water and therefore potentially sustain extra-terrestrial life.

The astonishing development is based on the observations of the planet-hunting Kepler space telescope which has been scanning the Milky Way for Earth-like planets since 2009.

The telescope had hitherto found more than 1,000 potential planets but panel of four eminent scientists revealed the existence of Kepler 452B - a planet described as Earth's "close cousin" some 1,400 light years away.

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