Scientists find Earth-like planet with an atmosphere

Scientists just discovered an atmosphere around an Earth-like planet for the first time ever and the world is aptly called GJ1132b, a celestial body which is around 1.4 times the size of our planet and is situated approximately 39 light years away.

After observing the planet, the scientists whose study is published in the esteemed science journal ‘Astronomical Journal’, have concluded that the earth-like planet is shrouded in a thick layer of gasses that are either water or methane or a blend of both.

Recognizing an atmosphere and understanding it is a significant step forward in the search for life beyond our solar system. However, it is highly improbable that GJ1132b is habitable as it has a surface temperature of 370C.

Dr John Southworth, the lead researcher from Keele University, said: "To my knowledge the hottest temperature that life has been able to survive on Earth is 120C and that's far cooler than this planet."

The discovery of planet GJ1132b was first announced in 2015. It lies in the Vela constellation in the southern hemisphere.

While it is a comparable size to Earth, the star it orbits is much smaller, cooler and dimmer than our Sun.

"One possibility is that it is a 'water world' with an atmosphere of hot steam."

"What we have shown is that planets around low mass stars can have atmospheres and because there are so many of those in the Universe, it makes it that much more likely that one might have life," Dr Southworth concluded.