Lightest exoplanet discovered

Astronomers have announced the discovery of the "lightest" planet ever detected outside our Solar System. Situated in the constellation Libra, it is only about twice as massive as the Earth, whereas most other exoplanets identified have been far bigger. The scientists say the planet's orbit takes it far too close to its star Gliese 581 for life to be possible. The detection was made by an international team of researchers using a 3.6m telescope at La Silla, Chile.

Situated in the constellation Libra, it is only about twice as massive as the Earth, whereas most other exoplanets identified have been far bigger.

The scientists say the planet's orbit takes it far too close to its star Gliese 581 for life to be possible.

The detection was made by an international team of researchers using a 3.6m telescope at La Silla, Chile.