Tiny, moon-size planet discovered outside of our solar system — smallest exoplanet yet -

Tiny, moon-size planet discovered outside of our solar system — smallest exoplanet yet - 


Astronomers have found the smallest planet yet outside of our solar system. It's about the size of our moon.
The planet was detected using the U.S. space agency's Kepler telescope, launched in 2009 to hunt for Earth-like planets.
Despite the buzz, the newfound planet is too hot to support life. Scientists estimate its surface temperature is a sizzling 371 Celsius. It also lacks an atmosphere and water on the surface.
The discovery is detailed in Thursday's issue of the journal Nature.
Scientists are still searching for a planet the size of Earth in the so-called Goldilocks zone — the not-too-hot, not-too-cold place where water could exist on the surface.

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