Posted: Fri, Feb 3, 2012, 6:58 AM ET (1158 GMT)
Astronomers announced Thursday the discovery of a "super-Earth" extrasolar planet in the habitable zone of its star. The planet, designated GJ 667Cc, is the second planet found orbiting the M-class red dwarf GJ 667C. The planet has an estimated mass of at least 4.5 times that of the Earth, with an orbital period of 28 days. The planet's surface temperature would be similar to the Earth's, and thus it could support liquid water on its surface. Astronomers discovered the planet in radial velocity data collected by the European Southern Observatory plus follow-up observations at the Keck and Magellan telescopes.

Related Links:

•  SPACE.com article
•  Christian Science Monitor article
•  Astronomy Now article
•  AFP article
•  Carnegie Institution press release (via Eurekalert)