Since Galileo's time, scientists have never been sure if there were any other planets outside the 9 planets that we have been told our solar system has. But since then, our scientists who explored the outer space got so caught up in finding more about our own solar system.

However, in 1992, some astronomers were able to detect more planets outside our solar system. This discovery brought about new studies on what lies beyond our solar system. Popular Mechanics reports on a new exoplanet — an earth-like planet that has been recently discovered that just might be habitable too. 

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The first exoplanets found orbiting around a sun that seemed to be quite like our very own sun have been found to be rocky. Some are small and had many gaseous substances like Jupiter. 

According to The Guardian, NASA made a statement early this week that their hunt for life in the outer space might yield positive results in the future since they have found another planet which is very similar to earth. 

The scientists from NASA hold over four years of data to back up their reports. The Kepler space telescope was used for this discovery, and they have worked with researchers from The Seti Institute and several other reputable universities. 

Apparently, there are 12 planets that seem to be habitable. At present, there is a total of 500 other candidates for NASA to have further studies on. The technology that we currently have is quite helpful in finding these exoplanets. However, it will take many years to determine if there is indeed a presence of water, soil, and other matters that could support life on those planets that have been discovered.   

In a report by CS Monitor, the exoplanet that has been considered as the most similar to our very own Earth was named Kepler 452b. John Grunsfeld, the associate administrator of the mission directorate in NASA says that the Kepler 452b is possibly rocky. Therefore, signs of life might be found if further research will be conducted.

Grunsfeld also explained that the other exoplanets that have been discovered in the past have a size that is similar to the Kepler 452b. These exoplanets also orbited around a star that is similar to our sun.  

TagsNASA, NASA discoveries, new exoplanet, earthlike planets, solar system, outer space