Planet that may hold life found ‘nearby’

A rocky planet that may harbour life has been discovered in another solar system just four light years from Earth, close enough to be reached by future space missions.

The new world, slightly more massive than Earth, orbits Proxima Centauri, our closest stellar neighbour.

In terms of astronomical distance, the planet known as Proxima b is right next door. Whether or not anything lives there remains open to speculation, but scientists believe that theoretically it could be habitable.