NASA shares stunning image of nearby planet that 'could be habitable'

A new image released by Nasa shows what a potentially habitable planet orbiting the closest star to Earth might look like.

Proxima b was discovered in 2016 and its temperature is mild enough for liquid water to exist on its surface, Nasa said.

The planet is believed to be slightly larger than Earth and orbits the red dwarf star Proxima Centauri, which is the closest star to the solar system.

Scientists believe it could be reachable by tiny, unmanned space probes before the end of the century, in time for some people alive today to witness it.

Explaining the artist's impression of the planet, Nasa said: "Discovered in 2016, a roughly Earth-sized planet orbiting our nearest neighbouring star might be habitable, according to astronomers using the European Southern Observatory's 3.6-meter telescope at La Silla, Chile, along with other telescopes around the world.

"The exoplanet is at a distance from its star that allows temperatures mild enough for liquid water to pool on its surface.

"This artist’s impression shows a view of the surface of the planet Proxima b orbiting the red dwarf star Proxima Centauri, the closest star to the solar system.

"The double star Alpha Centauri AB also appears in the image.

"Proxima b is a little more massive than the Earth and orbits in the habitable zone around Proxima Centauri, where the temperature is suitable for liquid water to exist on its surface."

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Earlier this year, scientists discovered a second planet in the nearby solar system just four light years from Earth.

What astronomers believe could be yet another exoplanet appears to orbit Proxima Centauri, the closest star to the Sun.

Known as Proxima c, the newly-found extraterrestrial body is about half the size of Neptune.

Scientists from the University of Hertfordshire described the object as a "low-mass planet candidate".

Measurements indicate Proxima c is orbiting at a distance that is 1.5 times farther than Earth is from the Sun, making it much colder than Proxima b.

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