Fox has a story up with the teaser "Earth-Like Planet Found Orbiting Far-Off Star".
Well, except it's not very "Earth-like".
What may be the smallest extrasolar planet, measuring less than twice the size of Earth, has been discovered orbiting a sun-like star.The world is far hotter than ours, however. And controversy over the size claim has heated up, too.
How big?
COROT scientists estimate the planet ranges from 5.7 to 11 Earth masses.
Er. Probably not a planet I'd want to try to land on. I'm thinking the gravity might be a little high.
And how hot?
One big difference in the newfound planet compared to Earth: COROT-Exo-7b is located very close to its star, orbiting once every 20 hours.Its temperature is so high, ranging from 1,832 to 2,732 degrees Fahrenheit (1,000 to 1,500 degrees Celsius) that the researchers say the exoplanet could be covered in lava or water vapor.
The density of the planet is still under investigation, though scientists say it may be rocky like Earth and covered in liquid lava.
I dunno about you, but anything about 90 degrees or so and I get a bit surly.
All in all, not very "Earth-like" if you ask me.
