New planet raises hope for alien life

Scientists and common person alike have always wondered whether there is life elsewhere in the universe. Discovery of a new planet orbiting a star beyond the solar system might help scientists to discover alien life. Scientists of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena discovered a new planet orbiting 55 Cancri, star located 41 light years from Earth in the Cancer constellation.

The discovery of a quintuple planetary system raises hope that there are planetary systems similar to our solar system in the outer space. The planet discovered is the fourth planet in its planetary system.

The new planet is about 45 times the mass of Earth and appears to be similar to Saturn in its composition and appearance. The planet is fourth from 55 Cancri and completes one orbit in 260 days. Its location puts the planet in the habitable zone where temperatures would allow water formation.

The planet was discovered using Shane telescope at the Lick Observatory in San Jose and WM Keck Observatory in Hawaii.